THREE REJOIN SQUAD
The Springboks are sweating on the fitness of three players, as they start preparations for their final Tri-Nations match of the year.
Coach Peter de Villiers confirmed on Monday that replacement flyhalf Butch James, prop Jannie du Plessis and lock Flip van der Merwe were all injured in the 44-31 win over Australia in Pretoria at the weekend.
James injured his shoulder, Du Plessis his shin and Van der Merwe has a neck problem.
The trio underwent scans in Bloemfontein on Monday.
All three missed out on the Monday training session and news on their condition is expected from the medical team later on Monday.
It has also been confirmed that Western Province flyer Gio Aplon, as well as the Blue Bulls duo of Dewald Potgieter and Wynand Olivier have joined up with the Boks in Bloemfontein.
* Meanwhile the Bok coach, De Villiers, said there remains room for improvement following last Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Australia.
De Villiers was addressing media in Bloemfontein ahead of the Boks’ final Tri-Nations match, also against the Wallabies, on Saturday.
“We have yet to achieve anything,” de Villiers said.
“It was nice to get the win because it changed the mood in the change room and also put smiles on the faces of our fans again. But we still have a lot of work to do,” he said.
The coach singled out defensive organization as one of the areas that needed attention during the week.
“We have a brilliant defensive system in place,” he said.
“When we analyse defensive lapses we have to look further than missed tackles or mistakes that are made by individuals. We have to look at what events in the play led to that situation. It could be that the opposition was quicker on attack than we anticipated or a that player was out of line in the defensive pattern.
“The Wallabies put us under pressure and forced us into mistakes. We have to go back and look at what we can do to better deal with that pressure”.
De Villiers added that the players attitude would also be an important factor in this weekend’s Test.
“The win has changed the mood in the camp and the guys need to build on this from a mental and physical point of view. This is where a positive attitude towards the match will be very important. The Wallabies are world class and we will have to have the right attitude to beat them again, especially on attack”.
De Villiers praised his team for their spirited fightback in the Loftus Test.
“To come back from 7-21 down showed the character of this team. I am pleased that we did not go into defensive mode towards the end of the match and showed a willingness to attack until the end,” de Villiers said.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
It just shows we are light on top class alternatives, who’s going to step up to the plate if these three are injured? I think CJ is past his best, Danie will come in for Flip but then who sits on the bench, and no one springs to mind to replace Butch. What’s up with Peter Grant?
http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot.com/
August 30th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Reply to Fromthebottomoftheruck @ 6:26 pm:
I believe it will be Meyer Bosman.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Reply to Morné @ 6:40 pm: Meyer is a good player but to my mind a few steps below Test standard.
http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot.com/
August 30th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Reply to Fromthebottomoftheruck @ 6:48 pm:
No real argument for or against the guy, PDV has selected him in the squad before, he is experienced, offers a 10/12 cover same as Butch, and like you said, no real options at the moment.
PS, Grant is in Japan at the moment.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Meyer had a good game for
Cheetahs v WP, not?
Talented, just never quite
make the grade.
They’ll need a lock on the
bench if Flip is out.
GRANT is playing with the Japs.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 6:53 pm:
Meyer was exceptional against WP.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Who’s the best lock option for the bench?
http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot.com/
August 30th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Reply to Fromthebottomoftheruck @ 6:56 pm:
Hargreaves?
Bekker injured.
August 30th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Reply to Morné @ 6:54 pm:
OK, only saw a few flashes of
WP game sitting with the
Hoeners.
Good distributor, powerful
for the crash ball.
Got some raw deals from JW
and Snor.
August 30th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 6:59 pm:
He will go with Hargreaves, already played his hand in his preferred choice.
August 30th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Hargreaves is raw but now is time to look for some depth.
http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot.com/
August 30th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Reply to Fromthebottomoftheruck @ 7:03 pm:
Boy has talent.
August 30th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Meyer Bosman has no right shoulder defence…
August 30th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Hargreaves is good player, no doubt. But look at our set up, if Morne Steyn gets injured we are in seroius trouble, no real back up at all. Butch was always getting injured, he would have played twice as much for the Bokke apart from that
http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot.com/
August 31st, 2010 at 7:21 am
Lambie? – He is versatile and can play 10 and FB. We need a quality 10 as back-up and he could fit into the roll….. but he needs to be tried sooner rather than later. On the other hand Fransie can play 10, 12 and FB.
Sykes? – Hargreaves often goes on holiday during a game.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:47 am
Reply to mawm @ 7:21 am:
Lambie only has CC experience at 10, would be a huge gamble.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:53 am
Would rather have Lambie in a midweek Bok’s team on the EOYT at this stage
August 31st, 2010 at 8:55 am
Andre Pretorius is back!!!!!
Actually maybe in two years this Elton Jantjes might turn into something…
August 31st, 2010 at 9:02 am
Reply to Morné @ 7:39 pm:
Patch Mabetha and Juandre Kruger same thing
August 31st, 2010 at 9:27 am
Lambie is too young for the moment, exactly some time of the bench on the EOYT would be good. I’ve never fancied F.Steyn at 10, always trying to do too much. I’d like to see more of Juandre Kruger, he has a lot of potential.
http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot.com/
August 31st, 2010 at 10:26 am
Not much wrong with the 3 joining the squad but still no Beast & Bismarck. Ai.
There is an abundance of locks, not all of them quality maybe but paired up with Matfield, Russouw and the other old campaigners many should be able to revel:
Sykes
Hargreaves
Steenkamp – all whom have been involved with the Bokke/upcoming Bokke
others possibly
Anton van Zyl – maybe too old for long term
Mabeta
Skeate
Not sure about Fondse, seems more like CC/S15 player at best
Don’t know the Lions and stAAt locks very well, maybe more options there.
Asked last week already what would happen should Morné get injured, more for kicking to posts than pivot position. Still no answer, Bosman does not stir and chord of excitement at all.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:27 am
Oja, Kruger may also be an option at lock but so far all the hype and not much show!
August 31st, 2010 at 10:43 am
Reply to Namboer @ 10:26 am: As a Shark supporter I am saying thank you PdV. As a Bok supporter ???
August 31st, 2010 at 10:56 am
Reply to DavidS @ 9:02 am:
Patch Mabetha.
===
Uhm, try Fudge.