Meyer has opened the wrong Paige

02 September 2015 - 02:06 By Peter de Villiers

The 31-man Springbok World Cup squad was announced in Durban and not without controversy. Though it represents our most experienced World Cup squad ever - with a combined total of 1297 Test caps - seven key playing personnel are still recovering from injuries, and a further five have not played in quite a while. As such, I'm concerned that the Springboks will be undercooked by the time the tournament kicks off.Scrumhalf Rudy Paige, who has not played a Test under Heyneke Meyer in Meyer's four years at the helm, was the name on most people's lips after the announcement. Make no mistake, the 26-year-old is fully deserving of his call-up and was one of the better players for the Bulls in Super rugby. However, many supporters were surprised by his inclusion because he wasn't afforded a single minute of game time during the Rugby Championship.I respect the decisions Heyneke has made, and it's our humble duty to support the team, but I believe the Paige situation could have been better handled. His 11th-hour inclusion smacks of either poor planning or a strategy that boomeranged.In terms of game-time, Ruan Pienaar is the form scrumhalf heading to the World Cup. He made the second-highest number of passes in the Rugby Championship, and I was impressed with his spatial awareness. However, what worries me is that the other two scrumhalves - Paige and Fourie du Preez - have not featured for South Africa in 2015. Both players possess the tactical and technical qualities, but form is the sole determinant of skill application. While Du Preez was not fit enough to train, let alone play, the Springbok management team missed a trick by not releasing Paige for Currie Cup duty. Ahead of such a huge tournament, it's vital to secure game time and confidence.The players that Heyneke has selected will certainly never let the country down, as is evidenced by their performance status. We all have contrasting views, but ultimately they count for nothing because we don't have the authority to select the team. For that reason, the players deserve to be supported by us, the rugby public. However, that does not stop us from asking if a cohesive team unit has been selected, or if they will remain a group of talented individual players.From my professional coaching perspective, as long as the players believe in themselves and their teammates and head to the UK with the same goal, they are well capable of challenging for the Webb Ellis trophy.However, I'm concerned that the squad - with an average age of 26 - is not represented by enough specialists in their positions. It's crucial for players to enter the tournament with their specific roles and responsibilities clearly defined.The Springboks boast plenty of cover in each position, but I believe you only need cover if and when problems arise as the tournament progresses.I understand Heyneke wants to cover all his bases but, for all intents and purposes, the coach has selected the squad as if he is anticipating problems.I'm not sure what Meyer meant when he said I would make a difference at grassroots level.Is he suggesting I should coach at a lower tier because I'm black, or is he saying he can't coach at that level because he can only work with the finished product?..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.