Have your say about who should be in the Bok team

SHOULD Jean de Villiers be the Springbok captain for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against Japan? And who should be the flyhalf ?

These are some of the burning questions that will be answered today when Bok coach Heyneke Meyer announces his team for Saturday’s match in Brighton.

But you can also have your say about who should be in the team at the final instalment of the threepart rugby dialogue series, #OurBoks2015, tonight.

The dialogue, which is co-ordinated by Labyrinth Consulting and supported by Independent Media, takes place at the SABC studios in Sea Point at 7pm, and it will be broadcast live on DStv channel 404.

The theme of the final part of the series will be “You choose the team”.

While Meyer will name his team this morning, former Bok coach Peter de Villiers, a local club coach and one audience member will pick their own teams, which will be debated during the dialogue.

Then the 150-strong live audi- ence will have the chance to vote for one of the teams, and the results will be announced on the night.

There will also be a discussion about the future of the Springbok team after the World Cup, with many veteran players retiring after the tournament.

Cape rugby hero Breyton Paulse believes that Handré Pollard should be at flyhalf ahead of Patrick Lambie, and that Jean de Villiers should be the captain. “I just think that Handré has the X-factor and can offer something different for the team at flyhalf.

“And Jean must get game time as he hasn’t played much this year due to his knee injury. He is the captain of the team and must play,” Paulse said.

But Dick Muir, who was the Bok assistant coach to Peter de Villiers at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, feels that Jean de Villiers should not be in England at all. “Jean is not ready to play, and I don’t think he should be there – he’s injured,” Muir said.

“I would make Duane Vermeulen the captain. I also don’t think Fourie du Preez will be ready to play.

“And I would go with Pat Lambie at flyhalf.”

If you agree or disagree with Paulse and Muir, let us know. The Cape Times will cover the dialogues live on Twitter and in the newspaper, and you can also be part of the conversation on Facebook (Cape Times), and on Twitter (@CapeTimesSA), with the hashtag #OurBoks2015.

We’re also offering five readers the chance to be part of the audience at tonight’s dialogue at the SABC studios. All you have to do is post on Facebook or Twitter why you want to be there. Include the hashtag #OurBoks2015 and a contact number.

For more information contact Munya Saruchera at Labyrinth Consulting on info@labyrinthconsult.org or 060 602 2377.

Breyton Paulse’s Bok Team:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Dick Muir’s Bok Team: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.