Zane Kirchner will be one of many players that will be rewarded with a test cap in the last test against the B&I Lions.
News24
Zane Kirchner will make his Springbok debut as fullback in the third Test against the British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Bulls fullback is an unexpected addition to the Bok line-up that will try to make history by becoming the first South African team in the two sides’ 118 history to win all three Tests in a series. The Springboks have won three series – in 1903, 1962 and 1968 – but never all the Tests.
Kirchner joined the team on Monday at Bok coach Peter de Villiers’s request. Although it was initially said that Kirchner was invited to gain experience, De Villiers will on Thursday surprise many by announcing the name of the fullback as a member of the Bok 22-member squad.
Kirchner’s brilliant form in the Super14 and his performance for the Emerging Boks against the Lions at Newlands, convinced De Villiers to give the Bulls star a chance.
Kirchner has played in 15 of the Bulls’ Super14 matches and impressed with his excellent tactical kicking and his ability to win back his own high kicks.
He is also not afraid to attack and scored four tries. His defence is rock solid. “Zane will play,” said De Villiers when he was asked about the presence of Kirchner at training.
The curly-haired fullback will be a popular choice with the public because South African rugby supporters have been asking for his inclusion.
Kirchner is one of six changes that the Boks are making to the backs.
As Sport24 reported on Monday, Morné Steyn could play flyhalf, Wynand Olivier and Jaque Fourie could be centres and Jongi Nokwe and Odwa Ndungane could form the back three with Kirchner.
It will obviously be a risk to play with a new backline against the Lions but these men seemed very sure of themselves when put through their paces on Tuesday.
Springbok backline coach, Dick Muir, told Sport24 that he had a lot of confidence in Kirchner. “After working with him for the Emerging Boks, he convinced me and the rest of the coaching team that he is someone who could play the role of fullback the way we want it done. We have therefore decided to employ him earlier, rather than later, and it will be a good reward for him.”
Kirchner’s inclusion also points to him possibly being involved in the forthcoming Tri-Nations series. With regard to the other changes to the backline, Muir said it was a chance for these players to make their mark. “They are playing for a place in the starting team. It is a privilege and I hope they use it.”
Muir said there were a couple of considerations when the team were chosen. “It was a long Super14 series. Then will come a tough Tri Nations, after which the players have Currie Cup rugby before the tour at the end of the year. We took all these things into consideration but we will still pick the strongest possible team.”
With the series in the bag, De Villiers and his team have the freedom to reward all the players in the group. And all the supporters’ favourites – including Kirchner, Steyn, Fourie and Heinrich Brüssow will be in the team, even though the Bok coach said he didn’t pay attention to public opinion.
The Sharks eight man, Ryan Kankowski and the Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle will also be in the starting line-up, with the latter who will start in his first Test.
Bakkies Botha’s case will be heard on Thursday morning and he will be included in the team if his appeal is successful. Otherwise Johann Muller and Victor Matfield will be the lock pair.
This could mean a place for Dewald Potgieter on the bench. Potgieter also trained with the Boks for the first time on Tuesday.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:56 am
Not too ecstatic by this news.
Risks needs to be calculated, this seems a bit too risky.
It is still about winning tests too.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:02 am
I think that the inclusion of Kirschner make the selection of Morne Steyn, Olivier and JF more likely.
The replacement of Adi is offset with Kirschner, in terms of quota objectives.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 am
We almost all agreed that Kirchner should have been there from the start.
This is his chance!
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Reply to Morné @ 7:56 am:
True, but you cannot say that it is not a good backline. The hope is that they gel quickly.
I’d like to know who is on the bench to stable things up should the experiment not work.
Looking at the 1st test with the mass sub usage and the coming test mass changes. Do you think PDV might be playing around with the idea of being able to change a side on the field in he blink of a eye so that the opposition is caught off guard with new players and game plan mid-match.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
Reply to Ollie @ 8:51 am:
NOT TO BE RUDE TO YOU OR :snor:
But you are givinbg him TOO much Credit!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 am
I am not tOO woRRied about Kirchner.
Steyn has not played that weLL so that we wiLL miSS him THAT much.
If it is to aCComodate JF @ 13?
Vok-
what a bargain!
On Defence Nokwe isnt Habana or Pietersen
on aTTak Nokwe isnt Habana
But shaBBy on aTTack he aint either.
RalepeLLe might not be the second best hOOker in SA- but then he aint a true quota either.
Started to play rather solid for the buLLs of lat as weLL!
Kankofski isnt a typical player I would have benched even against the Lions- but with the Tri-Nations just around the corner :thumbup:
GueSS not that the ruBBer is won- and with a 75% suCCeSS rate- taking a risk by playing the fringe is to be
The Core are there- with “the Shirt” ( slang for USAF First Sergeant
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theservices/a/firstsergeant.htm?nl=1
read the context not the spin) John Smit not just in gOOde form but also in fuLL control, ably aSSisted by Big Vic- who have played with SeriousMongrel of late. Would love to sEE Juan Smith having a beTTer game though!
But then, the back 5 of the LionsPack do play quite a CoachWhite type of game- so JuanSmith have bEEn a bit outnumbered at times. PhiLLips also proved to be a more than eFFicient baRRier than what one could have expected from a 9jersey- red or not.
aLL in aLL- risky yes- but I wiLL suPPort this new lOOk team 100%.
Cant wait for Saturday!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:08 am
Reply to PietPloos @ 8:56 am:
Hence the “Do you think…” caveat in front of the sentence. I don’t know, just an observation.
What I do know is that it bodes well for the 3N that we have a chance to test a bit of depth and give all the guys a good run.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 am
I suPPose Dewald Potgieter wiLL sub Juan Smith during game.
Smith wiLL have to get to 2007 levels of exceLLence to kEEp Potgieter out of the starting lineup in future.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:14 am
Possible team and IMO a very GOOD one:
1. Beast
2. Chillyboy
3. Smit
4. Muller
5. Matfield
6. Brussouw
7. Juan
8. Kanko
9. FdP
10. M Steyn
11. JPP
12. WO
13. JF
14. Nokwe
15. Zane
16. Gurthro
17. Bismark
18. Bekker
19. Spies
20. Potgieter
21. Ruan
22. Steyn
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 am
Reply to JT – http://www.rugby-innsbruck.at @ 9:14 am:
I will be VERY happy about that team!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:16 am
Heavy Bench that!
Isnt BeKKer stiLL injured though?
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 am
Reply to WiLLem @ 9:16 am:
what? the nuts still hurting
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 am
Reply to Morné @ 7:56 am:
I tend to agree with you Morne, but if taking these risks come off it will be spectacular. I am just very happy for Zane, Morne, Meisiekind, RissieSeun and Dewald!
Go New Look Bokke!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Reply to Minora @ 9:33 am:
Especially because some of them could not play the Lions so far – this is a great opportunity for them and a big thank you from the coach giving them the opportunity.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 am
Gentlemen,
Seeing that this is our site and this is a place for sharing…
I have found the most amazing website for flight tickets…
http://www.edreams.com
take it for a test drive – £401.38 for a return flight – Cape Town London…
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 am
Reply to JT – http://www.rugby-innsbruck.at @ 9:18 am:
Nah havent it bEEn reported- by some Journo’s
, that beKKer have a tear in a leg muscle or something
or do you think that was spiNNed as weLL?
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Reply to WiLLem @ 10:11 am:
Bekker het al klaar n scope gehad en kraakbeen verwyder..
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Who is going to play in the #3 Jumper for the Lions?
I ahve gone through thgeir list and ONLY Vickery is still healthy…
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 am
Reply to Minora @ 9:33 am:
“RissieSeun”
Bwahahahaaaaaa – LMAO !!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
Reply to PietPloos @ 10:28 am:
BEAST!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Reply to WiLLem @ 10:42 am:
Arme Vickery..
Hy gaan weer die naweek n Urine Monster Passeer.
Ek dink hy doen al klaar so bietjies bietjies…
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Reply to PietPloos @ 10:49 am:
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
Reply to JT – http://www.rugby-innsbruck.at @ 9:14 am:
Pretty good, but no hardebaarde apart from juan.
I’d play:
6. Brussouw
7. Juan
8. Potgieter
And Bring Sykes in for Muller.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Reply to Boertjie @ 11:36 am:
miskien moet jy bietjie meer nuus op die website doen
So no back-up lock? Only Juan that can really play there after Muller/Matfield!
PK out, Bekker out, who else in the squad?
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
Reply to JT – http://www.rugby-innsbruck.at @ 11:38 am:
Bakkies sal loskom…
Selfs van die ander Rugby Lande kan nie verstaan hoekom hy ion die eerste plek gesite is nie…
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Reply to PietPloos @ 11:44 am:
that would be bokbefok
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Reply to cab @ 11:23 am:
MuLLer is ruFFenuFF
BaKKies would be premium though!