Thought it would be interesting to do a position by position comparison using the Springbok lineup from the last Tri-Nations test of 2009 against the AB's and a probable lineup based on the current squad.
Fullback: 2009 - Frannie , 2013 - Willie
What a contrast of players and style. Mind you this was back when F Steyn still remembered how to play rugby so the comparison is not as easy as initially thought. Steyn kicked 3 penalties in the game and the AB's knew that any penalty within ten meters of the Bok side of halfway could end up in 3 points. A massive psychological advantage especially when the long range bombs went over. LeRoux is a much better attacking player with the ability to create from any part of the field. Both are somewhat error-prone, especially for an international fullback but LeRoux more so because he is always trying to pull something off. Verdict: Tie
Right wing: 2009 - Odwa, 2013 - Basson
Moved Habana to left wing just to make comparisons easier. Odwa a solid player but not a game breaker. Better on defense than Basson but in all other aspects (speed, under the high ball, elusiveness) Basson has his number. If JJ is on the wing its no contest. Verdict: 2013
Outside center: 2009 - Jacque, 2013 - JJ
While JJ offers a stiff challenge in the attacking aspect and is probably the faster player there is no comparison on the defensive side of the ball or in general rugby instinct. Verdict: 2009
Inside center: 2009 - JDV, 2013 - JDV
JDV has really hit his stride in the past 18 months. Being given the Bok captaincy has lifted his game to a level of consistency and excellence he didn't show as a younger player. In the best form of his life. Verdict: 2013
Left wing: 2009 - Habana, 2013 - Habana
Much like JDV and any good wine he has gotten better with age - if anything his overall awareness and involvement in the game has increased. His age is starting to show in his top-end speed, but the rest of his game is as good or better than ever. Verdict: 2013
Flyhalf: 2009 - Morne, 2013 - Morne
Morne was in fantastic goal-kicking form in 2009. While he has been good this year, it hasn't been without the occasional stutter. Some say his attacking has improved and the improved Bulls backline this year may be witness of that but I haven't seen it. Also don't think his tactical kicking is as good as it was. Still the best option on current form, but off from his best: Verdict: 2009
Scrummie: 2009 - FDP, 2013 - FDP
Assuming that FDP gets the home starts (which is a big assumption). Impossible that he would be as good as he was back then with the time away and the short preparation. Right? Surely he couldn't pull off that kind of form right away? Could he? Or is he just that good? Even if Pienaar or Vermaak start the verdict is still the same. Verdict: 2009
8th man: 2009 - Pierre, 2013 - Vermuelen
Spies is no slouch, especially back then, but Vermuelen has the strength and physicality to matchup against Read and Palu. Obviously lacks the pace of Spies but how often has that pace been a factor? Vermuelen much better at the breakdown and hard work at the coal face. Verdict: 2013
#7 Flanker: 2009 - Schalk, 2013 - Alberts
Verdict: 2009
#6 Flanker: 2009 - Brussouw, 2013 - Louw
Brussouw was in untouchable form in 2009. Louw has been getting better and better as evidenced by his most recent effort against Samoa but still doesn't compare to the impact player Brussouw was in the Tri-Nations in 2009. Verdict: 2009
#5 Lock: 2009 - Matfield, 2013 - Kruger
Verdict: 2009
#4 Lock: 2009 - Bakkies, 2013 - Etzebeth
The role of enforcer. Etzebeth has a higher workrate, better lineout option, better ball carrier and he has started to exhibit the maturity and self-control that Bakkies never seemed to be able to completely grasp. Bakkies was too much of a potential liability. This one was easy for me. Verdict: 2013
Tighthead: 2009 - Smit, 2013 - Jannie
Smit was a pap prop. Great captain, but no way a tighthead. Jannie is not at his best, but still a much better option than Smit Verdict: 2013
Hooker: 2009 - Bissie, 2013 - Strauss
Too close to call for me. If I had to try and point out differences, would probably say that Strauss is superior in the technical aspects of scrum and lineout, but Bissie better in the loose although Strauss is not bad there either. Bissie was still somewhat of a loose cannon back then, so maybe Strauss gets the edge but there's really nothing in it for me. Verdict: Tie
Loosehead: 2009 - Beast, 2013 - Beast
Can't really say that he has improved since 2009 but maybe thats being cynical ? Verdict: Tie
Overall Results: 2009 - 6, 2013 - 6, Tie: 3
With the landslide victories for the 2009 squad at #7 and #5 I am forced to declare 2009 as the victors
Some of the disparity would be mitigated by moving Louw to #7 to compete against Schalk and bringing Brussouw in at #6 as has been suggested by many on this board but I still think the 2009 team wins those battles as Brussouw has never been able to regain the form of 2009 and there is only one Schalk.
The 2013 squad should be better than the 2009 of course if strength was built on strength. That this is not the case can largely be attributed to the lack of introduction of new players by PDV as Moz has illustrated before. The All Blacks for instance have seen significant improvements since 2009, especially in their locks and outside backs who are better all rounders imo especially under the high ball than the AB team of 2009 that was really victimized by the kick and chase forcing errors.
The end result is that there is still a lot of work to be done for Meyer
