Robbie Fleck - Bok selector
www.rugby365.com columnist Robbie Fleck has started to assemble his Springbok squad for the upcoming Lions tour, with fullback and wing coming under discussion this week. Of course, he also weighs in with a few Super 14 predictions ahead of Round 12…
After the announcement of the British & Irish Lions touring squad last week, I said that I would start looking at the selection options for Springbok coach Peter de Villiers ahead of the Bok-Lions series.
It is too early right now to select my final Springbok XV, plus I do not know how many players will be picked in the first training squad of the season…
For that reason, I will run through a few positions over the next few weeks, before eventually settling on a final selection once De Villiers has chosen his training squad.
This week I will look at fullback and wing, before covering the rest of the backs next time around and then breaking the forwards up into loosies and the tight five – my area of expertise!
FULLBACK:
The contenders:
Zane Kirchner (Bulls)
Hennie Daniller (Cheetahs)
Louis Ludik (Lions)
Stefan Terblanché (Sharks)
Conrad Jantjes (Stormers)
Peter de Villiers, like Jake White before him, is a consistent selector and a loyal one at that. Jake had his favourites and so does Peter, with a guy like Adrian Jacobs a prime example of this… Of course, Jacobs has rewarded his coach’s faith in him, going from a bit-part Sharks player into a quality international player, something that Conrad Jantjes needs to do in 2009.
Jantjes had a fairly good end-of-season tour, so it would be hard to drop him on that, but his form has not been good in the Super 14 – with injuries and a poor Stormers side not helping his cause too much.
De Villiers’s faith should be enough to save Jantjes because, let’s face it, he would not make a Bok squad on form – at present – ahead of Kirchner, Ludik or Terblanché. Hopefully, Jantjes will reward his coach’s faith – like Jacobs did last year – but time will tell…
The form men are without a doubt Terblanché, Kirchner and Ludik.
Terblanché seems to be everyone’s favourite and it is hard to argue, given how well he knows his game and the role he fills for the Sharks with his superb positional sense, his strong kicking game and bravery under the high ball.
If I were De Villiers, however, I would look at younger options like Ludik and Kirchner – both of whom should not stand back to Terblanché in terms of their defensive abilities and both of whom can hit the line at pace and cause some serious havoc on attack; something that Terblanché can not do.
Terblanché’s kicking game is way superior, but his lack of potency on attack could count against him in the final analysis.
There is some talk at the moment in rugby circles that De Villiers and his wise men are considering Jaque Fourie at fullback and I must say it is something that excites me a lot.
South Africa is blessed with plenty of talent in the midfield and you cannot simply leave someone like Fourie on the sidelines, so it makes sense to try and accommodate him somewhere.
He is the best defensive back in the world, he is a natural runner and, of course, he started out playing for the Lions in the No.15 jersey – it would not be a new position to him.
Sure, he might be rusty in terms of positional play and he would need to work a bit on his kicking out of hand, but in terms of sheer excitement I would love to see this guy joining the Springbok backline at pace feeding off the likes of Jean de Villiers and Adi Jacobs in the midfield.
I am a coach that loves to take risks, as my boys at UCT would attest, but I honestly do not believe we have the fullback position properly sussed out since Monty retired, so I think giving Fourie a go there could solve more than just one problem for the Springboks.
My fullback picks:
Jaque Fourie (my first choice), Louis Ludik (the pretender) and Conrad Jantjes (the incumbent).
WING:
The contenders:
Bryan Habana (Bulls)
Akona Ndungane (Bulls)
Jongi Nokwe (Cheetahs)
Henno Mentz (Lions)
Odwa Ndungane (Sharks)
JP Pietersen (Sharks)
Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers)
The two definites at wing would be Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen – of that there can be no doubt… or any argument.
Habana is nearing his form of old and on his day he is one of the best attacking weapons in the world and arguably the best finisher in world rugby.
JP, meanwhile, is playing unbelievable rugby… Every time he puts his foot on a rugby paddock he shows his class and he has that ‘X-Factor’ that can turn a game around in a matter of seconds.
Pietersen has matured a lot since picking up a Rugby World Cup winners medal and he, too, has reaped the rewards of De Villiers’s loyalty.
Looking at the ‘rest’, I don’t think Mentz or Chavhanga have what it takes to challenge the other contenders – Odwa and Akona Ndungane and Jongi Nokwe – in this position.
Nokwe is probably the quickest winger in world rugby, but it could be risky to unleash him as a starter against a Lions team set to kick to the corners with the likes of Jones and O’Gara and he could struggle. But I would certainly keep him around, as the Boks could use him smartly should the Lions try and take the game to the home side. If they do not kick well enough, Nokwe will punish them.
My final wing choices would be Odwa and Akona Ndungane – both of whom are quality players and both of whom are good exponents of wing play.
They’re strong defensively, they take their try-scoring chances and they are safe under the high ball, they would not let the Boks down if called upon.
My wing picks:
Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen would be my first choices at No.11 and No.14, respectively, backed up by Jongi Nokwe and the Ndungane twins, Odwa and Akona.
Right, there you have it – but before I sign off, here are my Super 14 predictions for Round 12:
HURRICANES v BLUES:
Friday, May 1 – 9.35am
The Hurricanes are playing the kind of rugby required to win the big games and, ultimately, some silverware too. As I said last week, they are the horse you would be backing if this were a horse race!
Their loosies are well-balanced, Nonu and Smith are key men in the midfield and they have pace out wide.
The Blues will still be shell-shocked after losing at home – albeit in North Harbour – to the Reds, but they are ripe for the picking.
Fleckie’s prediction: The ‘Canes by less than 10 points.
LIONS v CRUSADERS:
Friday, May 1 – 3pm
That man Jaque Fourie is back – but will his presence be enough?
The Crusaders will be reeling from their loss to the Cheetahs last week, but they showed what they can do when they beat the Sharks and they are always good on the Highveld.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Crusaders – even without McCaw – should have too much for the Lions, especially with their watertight defence.
CHEETAHS v WARATAHS:
Friday, May 1 – 5.05pm
Who would have thought the Cheetahs would beat the Sharks and the Crusaders in the space of just three weeks?
I think Naas Olivier made a huge difference last week. He seems to have learnt a few tricks during his stint at Griquas, especially the way he attacks the advantage line – something he was not really doing whilst still a Stormers player.
If Olivier can get Nokwe, Demas and Daniller involved – and with exceptional flanks like Heinrich Brüssow and Juan Smith on his side – the Men from Bloem could just cause another upset against a Waratahs team on a bit of a downward spiral.
Fleckie’s prediction: I’d love nothing more than to see the Cheetahs prevail. I am going to back them – but only just… Cheetahs by less than five points.
REDS v BRUMBIES:
Saturday, May 2 – 11.40am
The Reds were exceptional last week – finally, that was the Reds time I have been raving about all along! Like I always say, watch these youngsters fly next year – they will be the team to beat.
The Brumbies took a big hiding against the Hurricanes, but their defence will be back to its organised best and I think they will come good in this game due to their better structure.
Fleckie’s prediction: If memory serves me correct, the Brumbies tend to win most of their local derby games… I am going to plump for them, but only just – Brumbies by five.
SHARKS v HIGHLANDERS:
Saturday, May 2 – 3pm
This match will be great preparation for the Sharks ahead of their last-round meeting with the Bulls. The Highlanders have a rugged pack and arguably the best front row, so they will test the Sharks.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Sharks will be refreshed and with Ruan Pienaar calling the shots from flyhalf I am backing them to deliver and win by at least 10 points.
BULLS v FORCE:
Saturday, May 2 – 5.05pm
The Bulls are one of the form teams and they did well to beat the Chiefs last week in a tough old encounter.
With Bryan Habana nearing his best and Victor Matfield and co. ruling the roost up front, against a pack that is not known for its strength, I believe there will be one winner only.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Bulls by more than 10 points.
STORMERS v CHIEFS:
Saturday, May 2 – 7.10pm
I really do not want to make a prediction on this game…
I am sure the Stormers will be happy to be at home after a tough tour, but they will be a happy bunch after beating the Highlanders at the ‘House of Pain’.
Still, they are up against a fine side, who are in a strong position to make the play-offs and with plenty of pace and power across their ranks.
Fleckie’s prediction: I have to pick a winner here, but I am going with my heart; the Stormers – only just.
Until next week,
Fleckie
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