SACS Rugby World Cup Squad
We thought we would have a little fun before Heyneke announces his Springbok squad for the World Cup and see what some of the coaches select as their World Cup Springbok squad. Also, the SACS Headmaster has also volunteered his selection.
Nick Maurer’s Springbok Squad of 23 – RWC 2015 |
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| 1 | Beast Mtawarira | Coenie Oosthuizen (3) |
| 2 | Bismarck Du Plessis | Adriaan Strauss |
| 3 | Frans Malherbe | Marcel Van Der Merwe |
| 4 | Eben Etzebeth | |
| 5 | Victor Matfield | Pieter Steph Du Toit (4/5) |
| 6 | Francois Louw | Marcell Coetzee (7) |
| 7 | Willem Alberts (4) | Schalk Burger (6/8) |
| 8 | Duane Vermeulen | |
| 9 | Fourie Du Preez | Ruan Pienaar (9/10/15) |
| 10 | Handre Pollard (12) | |
| 11 | Bryan Habana | |
| 12 | Jan Serfontein (13) | Damian De Allende (11/12/13/14) |
| 13 | JP Pietersen (14) | |
| 14 | Willie Le Roux (15) | |
| 15 | Pat Lambie (10/12) | |
| Please be aware that this is my starting 23 to play in a World Cup final. It is not who I think Heyneke will select! | ||
| Squad of 23 – explanation | ||
| I have gone for a very unconventional approach of a 6/2 split on the bench. I feel that games in the northern hemisphere will be won upfront, coupled with clever tactical and accurate goal kicking. Other than Du Preez and Habana the versatility of the other backline players allows me to cover all eventualities without needing a 3rd back on the bench. Positions in brackets are the other positions that player can cover if need be. | ||
| In terms of the starting team. Debate will of course surround the selection of: | ||
| 1. Victor Matfield – in my opinion his experience, lineout prowess and ability on kickoff receipt give him his starting position. He is also a clever defender whose work rate on defence and tackle count is usually very high. He does lack physicality / muscle in the tackle and at the breakdown but I feel the positives still outweigh the negatives. | ||
| 2. JP Pietersen at 13 – having a 13 with good decision making abilities on defence is critical to our success. With Jacque Fourie not available JP is the only other guy who possesses a similar ‘feel’ for what is required to defend the 13 channel against quality attack. Serfontein and De Allende do not currently have the ‘nous’ in my opinion. | ||
| 3. No Jannie at 3??? No chance. Enough said. | ||
| Many other selections are close calls (De Allende swopping with Serfontein in the starting lineup for eg) but nothing else in my opinion is wildly controversial. I could go through each player one by one like I have below but due to time constraints it isn’t possible. | ||
| Pat Lambie (15) – solid under the high ball, brave on defence, sound positional play and good game management. Great kicking option at 15. Can also move into 10 later in the game to change things up with Willie moving to 15 and JP to 14. Jan and Damian in the centres. | ||
| Etc etc… | ||
| Look forward to your feedback! | ||
Mr Ken Ball (Headmaster) World Cup Springbok Squad.
| 15. Lambie | |
| 14. JP Pietersen | |
| 13. Serfontein | |
| 12. de Allende | |
| 11. Willie le Roux | |
| 10. Handre Pollard | |
| 9. Fourie du Preez | |
| 8. Duane Vermeulen [captain] | |
| 7. Francois Louw | |
| 6. Willem Alberts [move to lock after 60 minutes] | |
| 5. PS du Toit | |
| 4. Etzebeth | |
| 3. Vincent Koch | |
| 2. Adriaan Strauss | |
| 1. Nyakane | |
| 16. Hougard | |
| 17. Jesse Kriel | |
| 18. Juan de Jongh | |
| 19. Coenie Oosthuizen | |
| 20. Schalk Brits | |
| 21. Beast | |
| 22. Marcel Coetzee | |
| 23. Schalk Burger – 2 loosies so Alberts goes to lock |
Barry van Selm’s World Cup Springbok Squad
| 1 | Trevor Nyakane |
| 2 | Schalk Brits |
| 3 | Frans Malherbe |
| 4 | Eben Etzebeth |
| 5 | Pieter-Stef du Toit |
| 6 | Willen Alberts |
| 7 | Francois Louw |
| 8 | Duane Vermeulen (c) |
| 9 | Fourie du Preez |
| 10 | Handre Pollard |
| 11 | Senatla |
| 12 | Frans Steyn |
| 13 | De Jong |
| 14 | JP Pietersen |
| 15 | Cheslin Kolbe |
| 16 |
Cobus Reinach |
| 17 | Coenie Oosthuizen |
| 18 | Pat Lambie |
| 19 | Adriaan Strauss |
| 20 | Victor Matfield |
| 21 | Marcel Coetzee |
| 22 | Willie le Roux |
| 23 |
Beast Mtawarira |
| Some reasons behind my selection | |
| I have always liked Schalk Brits energy on a field, plus he can play on the flank if needed | |
| Two formidable locks and imposing players in Eben and Pieter-Stef. | |
| Victor is needed as both a lineout coach, plus as lineouts can win games with the driving maul. | |
| Willem Alberts on those Northern Hemisphere fields, will combine well with our locks in carrying ball. | |
| Marcel has been playing some great rugby and looking to use him to pilfer some opposition ball. | |
| Adriaan Strauss will also bring some leadership to the team | |
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