Boks hunt for back up fetcher

Nelspruit - Francois Louw's absence from the Springbok team against Scotland has given the team an ideal opportunity to look at alternatives.

Louw was released from the national squad in preparation for his wedding day and will not be considered for Saturday’s Test against Scotland in Nelspruit. Kick-off is at 17:15.

Speaking to the SA Rugby magazine website, coach Heyneke Meyer said he was eager to take a look at other players who could play the role of 'fetcher'.

Marcell Coetzee, one of five changes to the Springbok team to face Scotland, is set to start at openside flank this Saturday, with Siya Kolisi providing cover from the bench.

Neither Coetzee, nor Kolisi are regarded as being in the classic fetcher mould, but Meyer hinted that they may have to add that string to their bows if they want to be considered for selection.

"If you look at who officiates in our Tests, it's northern hemisphere referees. So you really need somebody in that role who can slow the opposition's ball down," Heyneke said.

"I want to build a big squad of 35 players and have alternatives in every position. This opportunity is important for guys like Marcell and Siya.

"They have to show me that they can specialise in that role. If not, I will have to consider other options. Even a guy like a Heinrich Brüssow will come into contention."

Kolisi, who could earn his first Springbok cap this weekend if he is called off the bench against Scotland, said Meyer had placed special emphasis on the breakdown in the past couple of weeks, and said he had learnt a lot from Louw.

"It's been great to work with Francois Louw these past two weeks," said Kolisi.

"He has given me and Marcell plenty of advice on how to approach the breakdown."

"It's a massive benefit for me, as I don't play that way (as a fetcher) at the Stormers (What are those dopey coches teaching these guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Francois has given me some advice on when to go for the ball and when to leave it alone. When it's 50/50, he's told me to rather back off. (Doesnt sound like rocket science either!)

"It's really exciting to have this opportunity, but I'm well aware of the pressure to get it right. I have to be disciplined at the breakdown. Yes, I want to do well for this team, but I must ensure that I don't get too excited and give away penalties."

Meyer if you need some advice give me a call, I can tell you exactly who you need. You seem to be missing the obvious! 

Waaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahaha!

rooitwit ya hopeless dope at least my pick would make sense - your picking your son amongst all those players. Hhahahahahaa what sentimentality is that - what lack of any proportion. Sheer nonsense.

Heinrich Brussow is the man we need and he is a true fetcher!

Pfffffffhahahahahahahaha!

dan-dan, I think it has to be a personal thing between Heyneke Meyer and Heinrich Brussow. Brussow is too good a player to be left out of any national squad. People forget how he almost single-handedly won us the series against the British Lions in 2009.

Brussow's fetching skills are a myth. He is nowhere near the magocal fetcher he is supposed to be. Go check his turnover stats and be prepared for a surprise.

Ceradyne, without any research or checking out stats and based purely one what I've seen with my own eyes, I'm quite certain Heinrich Brussow's turnover stats are among the best of any fetcher in the business, but my advice to you, listen to what British Lions supporters had to say about Brussow's influence on the outcome of the 2009 British Lions tour . . . and be prepared for a surprise!

Well what do you know? On another thread Mozart and myself get our asses kicked for selective use of stats and now the stats gets used selectively when they do not suit the argument. The stats for the Van der Walt/Labuschagne/Brussow compared to the Bulls loose forward combo has bugger all bearing on the Bok team. The argument is that HM is a poepol for not selecting Brussow and that Brussow has to be in the Bok team for HIS superior fetching skills.

Ou Maaik, indeed, Ceradyne's stats sound suspiciously like "relevant" stats.

Those stats come from the same source that ou Maaik use for his arguments, do check the for yourself. Or even better.... why don't you give us the correct stats then and provide us with your source as well. Mine is ESPNScrum.

Ceradyne, perhaps I haven't made myself clear so I'll spell it out for you . . . I don't set much store by stats when it comes to rugby which is why I said I rely more on what I see with my own eyes and also why I was so scathing of the use of stats, particularly by manipulative serial-liars like Moffie.

Isn't his "magnificent" trunover abilities exactlyu what is supposed to destinguish him from the rest?

Sensodyne, if all you've got in your littler pea-shooter are some irrelevant stats about the number of turnovers won by Heinrich Brussow then tell Moffie and Baboon-ou about it. They might find it interesting but I really don't care about your stupid stats.

Ahhh that proves it. "Your stats don't match my opinion, so I'll discard them and use the one that matches my opinion.."

Spot on Rooi, Brussouw is our best openside, closely followed by Kolisi. Kolisi plays a different game, but is pretty effective at what he does. Louw is a handy player, but openside flanker he is not, much like Schalk was never a 6.

Brussows claim to fame, in 2009, was the way that he beat McCaw and managed to steal balls in the rucks. He has not been able to do that for the last two years. All over we have been hearing that we need him as our fetcher. Well he has not been doin much "fetching" lately. Where is all the balls he has been "fetching" show me the stats and I might even change my mind. Don't come with this "what I saw with my eyes BS". I don't want your warped eyesight. I want hard and fast facts.

OK  Mike, which stats are we working on this time?

Brussow does not even feature on the top 20 Tuirnover list for the 2013 S15. The only South Africans are Strauss at no 3, Deon Fourie at no 4, Rhuke at no 6 and Bandise Maku at joint 15th.

No Meyer gets some selections right, his best are JJ and Willie, but just as good is Kolisi this weekend on the bench. Kolisi is a class act who will play many tests for the Boks.

Etzebeth, Botha and Steph du Toit were all 1st choice players in the Under20 bok team- it wasnt as if they were found on an isolated farm playing rugby with a coconut last weekend.

@Saffex what you mean "Burger was never a 6"? Please explain that statement please 

Windpomp you are starring on this thread!

Bluebok another issue re Brussouw. How good is he in carrying the ball. Again in my opinion not nearly as good as Deon.

Em beeno you guys know our 6 and 7 are the other way around than the rest of the world right? We and the French use that numbering 

Sorry Spooony I  am missing your point?

Always wondered how Bissie would do at 6. He plays like a loose forward anyway and we don't lose anything with having Strauss as hooker at the set pieces. Bissie seems intelligent enough to be able to be coached in the nuances of the position.