Meyer's search for No.13
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has come under fire for not having a specialist No.13 in his squad ahead of their Northern Hemisphere tour.
Despite many people calling for Juan de Jongh to regain his place in the Bok team, following impressive performances in the Stormers' Super Rugby campaign as well as leading Western Province to the Currie Cup title, but Meyer insists his current personel have proved themselves as worthy recipients in that jersey.
"I believe we do need a great No.13, given the way we want to play. I do believe Jan [Serfontein] has done brilliantly, as I said last time, he is playing mostly at No.12. Jean [de Villiers] plays mostly at outside centre and JP [Pietersen] has also proved his worth in that position. He [Pietersen] can be world class [at outside centre] because he also plays mostly there in Japan," he said.
Meyer made no secret of wanting to have been able to add Jaque Fourie to his squad, and went on to state that he "highly rates" the former Lions and Western Province centre
"Jaque Fourie would definitely have been in the squad and it is not a secret that I rate him highly. He is experienced but still young enough and he is playing some great rugby.
"I saw him in Japan when we went there [with the team sponsor] and he has played two half-games since he came back from an ankle injury. I don't think it is fair to Jaque or the team if I take him along. I would like to work with him, even if he doesn't play at all, but we are a little bit thin at No.13, so it's not worth taking him along.
"It's a pity Jaque Fourie couldn't be with us, having worked with him for just a small time, I could see what he can offer us and he is a quality player.
"Come World Cup year [2015], we will have three great guys to call on," he added.
In recent times, Damian de Allende has been filling in the No.13 position and Meyer feels, despite it not being his best position, the youngster is capable of fulfilling that role.
"Damian [de Allende] is improving as he trains with us. It was a big ask to throw him in at the deep end to play at outside centre because he hasn't played there [before], but he has trained in that position. Although it's not his best position, I believe he is capable of playing there," he stated.
