Bok glass half fill

says Alan Solomons on Sport 24

Of the 240 minutes of rugby the Springboks played this series, the first 40 minutes against Samoa this past weekend were certainly their most impressive.

While the Springboks cruised to a 33-point win, I believe that the Bok game displayed its finest balance in the first half. Heyneke Meyer’s men showed a level of maturity and tactical awareness, which caught the visitors off-guard. While the Springboks stuck to their structures, they maintained an ambition on attack.

The Bok management team spoke of developing their attacking efficiency this series and scoring 16 tries in three matches is certainly a step in the right direction. Particularly against Samoa in the first stanza, the Boks played with real offensive flair. Willie le Roux the chief creator, offered real enterprise from the back.

Le Roux has certainly impressed in the embryonic stages of his Test career, however, with all due respect to the Boks’ most recent foes he and his team-mates will face far sterner assignments. While undoubtedly a talented footballer, big questions will be answered when he plays in what I refer to as ‘top-flight’ Tests.

While Le Roux possesses X-factor on offence, he will have to showcase increased defensive solidity in order to further develop on the international stage.

If for example, we compare a player like Zane Kirchner with the Cheetahs’ star, while the former does not offer as much impetus on attack; he is an extremely sound fullback and is solid under the high ball. If Le Roux is able to add that safety and security to his game, he will then prove a long-term Bok prospect.

The Bok back three dovetailed well this series and deserve an opportunity to continue to develop as a combination.

While we all know the proven talents of Bryan Habana - who became only the sixth player to score 50 Test tries - the emergence of Bjorn Basson on the opposite wing was an equally pleasing outcome. A little mentioned fact was just how effective the Bulls player proved at chasing the kick-offs.

While it’s only natural that the backline will earn the plaudits for an eight-try effort, the impact of loose forward Francois Louw on his return should not be understated.

I believe that the 28-year-old, who turned in an absolutely outstanding display against Samoa, offers the Bok loose trio its best balance. The man, who plies his trade in Bath, is now a highly experienced openside flank and performs the subtleties of that role to perfection.

Of the young guns, the triumvirate of Arno Botha, Jan Serfontein and JJ Engelbrecht enhanced their credentials. I am of the view that the latter two players will develop into a superb Springbok centre pairing.

Super Rugby returns this weekend and we travel to Pretoria to meet an impressive Bulls side. While the majority of the Bulls’ players partook in the recently concluded Test series, I have no doubt that they will slot back into Super Rugby mode seamlessly.

From a Southern Kings’ perspective, I feel the international break did my players a world of good and as always our aim is to prove competitive. That said, we are appreciative of the challenge that lies ahead of us this Saturday.

In my view, the Bulls are the number one team in the tournament and if they finish in top spot on the combined table, I believe that they have every prospect of claiming the Super Rugby crown.

Meanwhile, I’m predicting home victories for both the Sharks and Stormers, whom are playing for pride.

So Solomon has some doubts about Willie's defensive abilities - I am sure Meyer will give him a chance to prove himself.

I would think Basson also has to prove his defensive abilities as does JJ.

I note Solomon makes no comment here about Kolisi.

Bulle chances of winning the crown away from Loftus are zip. The double whammy of travel and altitude give them a chance if the final is at loftus.

Home victories for Sharks and Stormers predicted by Solomon.  Go Stormers  time to overturn that lucky win by Cheetahs in Bloem!!!

I feel Stormers will battle against the Cheetahs scrum with Malherbe being absent. Nice to See Deon playing as a loosie.

Teams are:

Stormers:

15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Deon Fourie (captain), 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Don Armand, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Gerhard van den Heever

Cheetahs:

15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Rynhardt Landman, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Petrus Vermeulen, 19 Johannes Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Howard Mnisi.

 

This is an odd, incomplete commentary by Solomons.  It seems his main problem is Willie's defence. But while Kirchner is exceptional under the high ball,, his tackling is non existent. I'd say defensively the issues are still with JJ at centre. There is no doubt JJ, Serfontein and Willie have added to our attacking prowess. I still have major doubts about Basson up against the RC wings.

Ou maaaikie some medication may help with your kneejerk reactions.

Please, if  your ssesmments re te Stormers were correct  we would not have won a single match this season!!!. Granted this is a second string outfit but you write them off too glibly and should at leas take note of what a resepctable coach like Solomons says. They are in with a chance and higher than 30%

The coach has got it wrong again re selections but we have won matches even with these mistakes so who knows.

The loose forward battle will be very interesting. Our loosies are collectivley very small as a unit. However the Cheetahs loosies are not huge. Brussouw versus Deon. Kolisi versus lappies. No contest between Van Der Walt and Carr. I would say only Deon is better than Brussouw. Scrum will also be under the cosh without Malherbe there.

However what you always forget is the famed Stormers fighting spirit and home ground advantage. The guys will be raring to go to set the record straight. Who would have thought the Stormers with so many injured players could beat the Reds but they did. I am not writing them off.

Away with ou maaaikie the doomsayer and fantasy rugby fiend!  He keeps sending out these negative waves!

 Sorry Deon is better than Brussow? Um, I think not Beeno..

I really do not get this crap about JJ's defence, its complete bullshit. Yes he rushes the line at times, but so do Jean and Habana - do we assert that these two have defensive issues - NO.

Rushing out of the line is encouraged, for if it was not, it would be a simple instruction to JJ, Jean and Habana to cut it out. The reality is, that these players more than often snuff attacks out by rushing out......but we only pick up on those odd occassions when the rush causes a breach.

Players execute the rush when defensive alignments are disorganised and players are left exposed.

I see no issue with JJ's defence at all. He has been good defensively all year. The same applies to Willie at 15

It's voluntary vs involuntary. JJ panIcs and rushes up, as he did against Italy resulting in a try. Jean and Habana are rushing with aggressive intent. Even the player admits he has been working on this problem. The fact is our centres were outplayed against Scotland.....and the other teams had no pace. The true test lies ahead....don't declare victory yet.

Disagree Moz, Jean's rush against Scotland caused a glaring hole in the line. Habana has more than any other SA player overdone the rush and ended up exposing himself.

There is a place for the rush, but Habana overdoes it. The thing is Habana and Jean are established players, they can get away with the odd slip, JJ gets pulled up for those slips.

My advise to JJ would be to cut the rushes out at the early stage of his career to keep his detractors at bay.  I see no issue with his defence in general at all, in fact he is a strong tackler

Willie's creativity and JJ's pace at 13 have made a big difference to the backs. Serfontein will fit perfectly in at 12 once Jean departs and lets hope Goosen makes a full recovery to complete the picture.

We can do a whole lot better than Basson on the wing. JP come back please.

If Hougaard can find his mojo......the prospect of a Bok backline comprising 15. Willie 14. JP 13. JJ 12. Serfontein 11. Habana 10. Goosen 9. Hougaard is mouth watering.........with the likes of Frans, Lambie, Taute, v/Zyl and Reinach  providing back-up.