Bok changes add to line-out woes; Rugby 365

The Springboks have made three changes to their starting side with two of them effecting the line-out structures which already appeared weak in Pretoria. The line-out has long been a strength of the Boks, a lot of this dominance at the set piece can be attributed to the maestro that is Victor Matfield. The veteran lock was sorely missed last weekend when the Boks' line-out struggled, in albeit poor conditions, against the Argentineans at Loftus. Matfield will not be on hand this time round either with Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer opting to put his line-out faith in the untried trio of Eben Etzebeth, Loodwyk de Jager and veteran flank, Juan Smith. "There are three new guys in the line-outs who haven't played together," Meyer said after naming his match-day squad for Saturday. "It is a huge challenge because it is a short turn around, we don't have a lot of time to train in the line-outs. "I still was not happy with line-outs yesterday [Tuesday] in training - so it is frustrating, but I have to look at the positives." One of the positives that Meyer is finding is that he is getting a chance to blood new players and test combinations heading into the World Cup in England next year. "We are now building an unbelievably good squad for the World Cup," Meyer said brightly. "It is going to be very difficult to pick 30 players." Meyer has stated that the Springboks' line-outs last week were poor, putting it down the the scarcity of a No.5 [line-out calling] lock. I was not happy with our line-outs [last weekend] - it was my first criticism when we watched the game back," the coach continued. "I have always said we are struggling at No.5 lock and even through Loodwyk [De Jager] is an unbelievable player you can see when Victor [Matfield] is not there we need some experience." Meyer has opted to provide the line-out experience from veteran flank Juan Smith who is making an unbelievable come back to rugby. "Juan Smith is a very good line-out option, very experienced," Meyer said.  "This gives us a chance to see what Eben, Lood and Juan can do together in the line-outs." De Jager will be pairing up with Etzebeth for the first time with these youngsters touted as the future for the Springbok second row. "This will also be the first time these two youngsters [De Jager and Etzebeth] play together and although Lood is still a No.4 lock I think he will be a brilliant No.5 lock and I can't wait to see him go with Eben. "We need good line-out ball, we score a lot of our tries from line-outs, and last week we were not happy. "We need to make a step up there," the coach concluded.

 If wee victor had played we would doubtless have seen him not catching the bar of soap that was the rugby ball.
There is zero wrong with our lineout - both locks are very good lineout forwards as is Juan and Vermulen.
What a load of twddle and myth peddaling re wee victor.

 JW
That may be the ciew of one of Victor's cronies - by there was really nothing wrong with the line outs on Saturday.   The problem was that the line outs was made more difficult by the conditions under which hte game was played.  
De Jager is better than Matfield in all facets of play and is going to make mince meat of Whitelock, while Etxebeth has always been ebtter in line outs than Retallick.   The two was better than the Aussie locks - that is not where I think th Springboks wikll have a problem.    

If any lock forward in world rugby was asked who the best lineout lock they have ever faced, every single one of them would say Matfield.
 Meyer- "I have always said we are struggling at No.5 lock and even through Loodwyk [De Jager] is an unbelievable player you can see when Victor [Matfield] is not there we need some experience."
Wikipedia-

Victor Matfield (born 11 May 1977) is a South African rugby union player. He has played for and captained the Springbok rugby team as well as the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Bulls franchise in Super Rugby. He is generally considered one of the bestlocks in the world[1] and has had a long successful partnership with Springbok and Blue Bulls teammate Bakkies Botha.

Besides almost always winning his own line-out ball, Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition line-outs – this skill was a cornerstone of their 2007 World Cup success, where he was crowned IRB (International Rugby Board) player of the Rugby World Cup – and his speed around the field led former Australian coach Eddie Jones to comment that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead.[citation needed] 

He also possesses good upper body strength, with the ability to bench press 155 kg (341.7 pounds)

Here are some bench press stats of some beasts

1. 15 of the Most Jacked Rugby Players 2014

   theathleticbuild.com/15-of-the-biggest-beasts-in-rugby/
   by TheAthleticBuild .com - Eben Etzebeth is a South African Rugby Union footballer. His shear size is intimidating as hell and the fact that he can bench press 385lbs and do incline ...

2. 
   

------------Whitelock is actually a good lineout jumper as a specialist number 5 lock. At this point I would say that he is easily a better Jumper than Lood. 

In terms of the changes to the Lineout bar Matfield, I would say they are actually improvements. Juan Smith is a good jumper and is covering lock as well. Eztebeth is a better jumper than Bakkies.