The springbok squad for the British and Irish Lions series was announced yesterday.
This is the full squad:
Props:
John Smit
Tendai “the beast” Mtawarira
Gurthrö Steenkamp
Deon Carstens
Hookers:
Bismarck du Plessis
Chiliboy Ralepelle
Locks:
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
Andries Bekker
Danie Rossouw
Loose forwards:
Schalk Burger
Juan Smith
Pierre Spies
Ryan Kankowski
Halfbacks:
Fourie du Preez
Ricky Januarie
Flyhalves:
Ruan Pienaar
Morné Steyn
Centres:
Jean de Villiers
Adi Jacobs
Wynand Olivier
Wingers:
Bryan Habana
Jongi Nokwe
Odwa Ndungane
Utility backs:
Jaque Fourie
JP Pietersen
Earl Rose
Frans Steyn
By and large it is a good squad, but I don’t think it is the “best” squad we could have named. Whilst I am a firm believer in John Smit’s playing ability and think he’ll do a great job at tighthead prop, it’s worrying we don’t have another specialist tighthead in the squad, or anyone in the country who really put their hand up. Jannie Du Plessis and BJ Botha are both overrated in my opinion, and this necessitates Smit moving to this position. Deon Carstens as cover is a little bit of a gamble, although I think he’s a good player. I’d have gone for a slightly controversial selection and picked Sephaka, I think his scrumming is solid, and his fitness and work rate around the field has been exceptional this year.
The hookers were not surprising. But i’m not sure if Chiliboy is our second best hooker behind Bismarck. Derick Kuun has been awesome this year, and can be considered unlucky to miss out.
No surprises in the locks. Matfield and Botha are the best in the world, Bekker may get to be reserve with Danie Rousouw covering loose forward.
The Loose forward combination is a proven trio, but i’d drop Burger. His form has been dismal, and i’d prefer a true opensider in Heinrich Brussow. Kankowski has never impressed me, and i’d rather Burger on the bench who can cover all three loose forward positions. In another selection many wouldn’t consider, i’d also get Pedrie Wannenburg in there, as I think he is tremendously skillful and offers a great ball carrying option.
Halfbacks were the experienced duo of Du Preez and Januarie. I’d have dropped Januarie and given vermaak a go. I think Januarie needs to offer greater consistency, and Vermaak does the basics well and could be a gamebreaker off the bench.
Flyhalf was predicatable. Pienaar will be first choice, but in my mind Steyn deserves it on current form. I also would love to see Earl Rose at some stage.
The centres pick themselves there, and i’d still put De Villiers ahead of Olivier. If Adi Jacobs shoulder isn’t right, then Jacque Fourie deserves outside centre.
On the wings i’d pick Habana and Nokwe in the test side. There is plenty of cover in Fourie, Jacobs and Pietersen, so i’m not sure why they picked Odwa Ndungane. In any case I think they picked the wrong Ndungane, as Akona was playing brilliantly for the Bulls.
JP Pietersen seems to have the inside running for the fullback position, with Jacque Fourie, Earl Rose and even Morne Steyn as possible options. I’d have picked Kirchner in the squad instead as specialist fullback, and in my starting lineup. Those that opted for Terblanche need to see he is not in the same league as Percy was when he was Brought back as an experienced old head.
Sanjay’s Springbok team
1. Gurthro Steenkamp
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. John Smit (c)
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield (v/c)
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie Du Preez
10 Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Adi Jacobs
14. Jongi Nokwe
15. Zane Kirchner
16. Derick Kuun
17. The Beast
18. Danie Rousouw
19. Schalk Burger
20. Jano Vermaak
21. Jacque Fourie
22. Earl Rose
