Meyer readies his troops for big battle

01 August 2014 - 02:02 By Craig Ray
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
YOU'LL SEE: Bok coach Heyneke Meyer gets a hard time from the public considering the strides he's made
YOU'LL SEE: Bok coach Heyneke Meyer gets a hard time from the public considering the strides he's made
Image: STEVE HAAG/GALLO IMAGES

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will tomorrow name 30 players for the first phase of the Rugby Championship, with uncapped scrumhalf Cobus Reinach the only likely surprise.

After Fourie du Preez's season-ending knee injury, suffered in the game against Scotland in June, a door has opened for Reinach, 24, to emulate his late father, Jaco, with a Bok selection.

Reinach was the starting halfback for the Sharks for the entire 2014 Super 15 season that ended in semifinal defeat against the Crusaders last weekend.

He is raw but supremely talented and, if selected, will initially play understudy to Ruan Pienaar, with Francois Hougaard offering versatility at wing and scrumhalf.

Meyer is also likely to recall the fit-again Pat Lambie and lock Eben Etzebeth, while the injury-prone flyhalf Johan Goosen, who is France-bound, could be jettisoned.

Lambie will cover flyhalf and fullback, and with both Morné Steyn and Handré Pollard in the squad, Goosen would be surplus to flyhalf requirements.

Despite his talent, Goosen's consistent injuries hindered his development and Meyer is running out of time to find the right 10 for next year's World Cup. His eggs may be transferred to the Pollard basket.

There has been a collective sigh of relief that Etzebeth is ready to play again.

The 22-year-old last played in November 2013, when he injured his foot against France in Paris.

Then he stubbed and fractured his toe in June, extending his injury absence.

Fringe players such as centres S'bura Sithole and Paul Jordaan, hooker Callie Visagie and flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff are likely to miss out on initial selection.

It's unclear whether Frans Steyn, who abandoned the squad in June after a contractual dispute with the South African Rugby Union, will be selected.

Steyn no longer has a Bok contract and is set to join a Japanese club.

Those factors, coupled with his stance in June, would make it difficult for Meyer to include him at this stage.

Captain Jean de Villiers is also fit again and will reclaim his place in the squad, but he might have to start the season at No13 instead of inside centre.

With Damian de Allende not yet recovered from a knee injury, the No13 jersey is up for grabs and De Villiers is likely to start there, with Jan Serfontein staying at 12, or inside centre.

To compound matters, the Japanese-contracted duo of Schalk Burger (flank) and JP Pietersen (centre) are unlikely to be considered as they areineligible for the away leg of the Championship.

But both will be available for the last two home matches, against Australia and New Zealand in late September and early October.

With hooker Adriaan Strauss back in the mix after missing most of June through suspension, Saracens hooker Schalk Brits will be relegated to third choice.

Probable Squad

Backs: Jean de Villiers (captain), Juan de Jongh, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard, Zane Kirchner, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Jan Serfontein, Morne Steyn.

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Brits, Marcell Coetzee, Lood de Jager, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Teboho Mohoje, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Duane Vermeulen.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now