Boks sweat over Vermeulen;Rugby 365

The Springboks could be looking at a big loss after a big win against Australia as they wait and see how severe No.8 Duane Vermeulen's rib injury is.  The Boks play their final Rugby Championship match of the year against the All Blacks at Ellis Park next Saturday and although the Championship is decided, there is plenty to play for in terms of pride for the teams. Vermeulen left the field late in the second half with a rib injury, and with Schalk Burger having already come onto the field for Teboho Mohoje saw Victor Matfield moving onto the flank in the vacant spot. “Duane [Vermeulen] injured his ribs and it is a concern for us as he is one of the leaders in the team and a player who is in great form at present," coach Heyneke Meyer said. Vermeulen was a huge presence for the Springboks as they slowly battered the Wallabies into submission, his physical presence will be sorely missed if the injury rules him out of the clash with the All Blacks. The bench on matchday proved to Meyer that he has plenty of quality depth to play with, and he made mention of that at the post-match conference. “We had a lot of injuries this year and could not really build momentum because of that," the coach said. "That is why I am so pleased with the next group of guys who stepped in as we now have a nice depth to our squad.”

 Yes it could be a big loss for the Boks ,hopefully we will see 2 full strength teams next week .

 Retallick is looking shaky for next week also.

 JW
I was very disappointing with retallick in the game yesterday.  He w extraordinaryu quiet the whole game and I am not sure whether he was carrying an injury or whether he wasin fact injured during the game.  I looked at the game and could not find out when eh was in fact injured.   
Vernmeulen wil be a big loss - it is a close call betwene him and Read as to th e ebst no 8 at present in world rugby.  Different kind of players - but both are supreme in their areas of expertise.

 Vermeulen is a integral part of the setup and has played well over the weeks so of course he would be a huge loss if the injury isn't recovered. The question would remain who is the right alternative number 8 to replace Vermeulen in the starting XV? I think the obvious answer is Nizaam Carr who has played superbly this year among the others, I don't think Carr would disappoint at test level as he is good in open play and in the tight areas with physicality. I don't think Willie Britz would be a bad option also, he's another in form player who wouldn't disappoint. To conclude SA do have a lot of depth in brilliant loose forwards like they are being created in a lab so there is no issue on having to replace Louw or Vermeulen. The way the loose forwards are managed as a unit in game is not so much the problem for me but theres a slight problem regarding some of the players who are preferred such as Burger and Mohoje, I don't think both are bad players but there are other loose forwards that have a lot more to offer and I know some would agree.

Due to Louw and Vermeulen's inury I would prefer this loose forward trio in the next match:
6.Willie Britz, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 8 Nizaam Carr  

The Bok pack lacks grunt with matfiled at lock. Get in a decent lock to partner Etzebeth is the first step.Coetzee at 6, Whitely at 8 and Britz at 7 is a possibilty. Real pace in that lot but a  bit more fragile - hence need for strong tight 5 not tight 4.
Vermuelen is of course by some way the best number 8 in world rugby so his loss would be immense. I hear Habana was concussed so he may be doubtful?
For once as sensible comment from warped DUD - it had to happen given probabilty theory - yes it would be a pity if both sides are not at full strength.

Jerome you. Would start with two uncapped players rather than with Burger who was the catalyst in the Bok effort? Nutty as a friuitcake.  

Mozart
Burger made a slight impact but is by no means the player I would start ahead of the others that have been more consistent this year in more matches, Burger is suited on the bench. The players I've named are uncapped but that does not mean they can't do well at test level. You always have the perception of thinking uncapped players are inferior to capped players but that is not exactly true and I've proved it numerous of times. You wouldn't know what the uncapped players are capable of at test level until you've seen them perform at test level although they are not getting the opportunity to do so regarding Willie Britz and Nizaam Carr. The team is versing stronger opponents in the next match and I think the following changes would help without Burger starting.

6.Willie Britz, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 8 Nizaam Carr or Warren Whitely

  

 Well for starters Marcel was well beaten at the breakdown by Hooper. It was a big reason we couldn't sustain the attack yesterday. We missed Louw big time. What finally got us over the advantage line was Schalk....passing and running.

Carr is a super player at S15, I'd like to see him get a chance, but not starting against the ABs.
Our best loosie combo were they all fit would be Vermeulen, Schalk and Louw....they cover all bases.

 Still attacking Coetzee - you old drip of bitterness.  One can appreciate that you do not understand rugby at all so you come up with utter crap.  
Let eme xplain - Burgr was a lot better than Mohoje when he came on and I have no problem with himm at 7 against the All Blacks . - But Coetzee was on par or bettr than Louw in this RC - so you are talking standard crap.   
I like Schalk - he is ten times the loosie the crap Willem Alberts will ever be - but I just wonder how long he is going to last.   Same with De Villiers - he was bog ordinary  yesterday.   Burger has ben on and off wuith injuries in Super 15 and in tests and he may not have he alsting power required.
 

 Mozart
With the absence of Louw and Vermeluen what would your loose forward trio be and why? I've already named mine.

 

Let's ignore the discredited Mike and turn to your question Jerome. I would play Marcel at open side....he isn't as good  on the ground as Louw, but he is the only choice, and he has a high energy level.
I would also prefer to play Schalk as an impact player, given how little rugby he has played this year....coming on early at 50 minutes. It worked well. But much as I like Carr, you can't start him. So I would reluctantly start Schalk....in reality though it will Mahojer.

At 8th man I have no clue. No rookie is going to come close to matching Reid. I suppose it will have to be Whitely who did well off the bench. Let's hope Vermeulen is fit.

All that playing time is catching up to the big guy . The lack of rotation of players at all levels of South African rugby is detrimental to their health. Compare what they have to go through in a season with NFL players who only play either offense or defense and a max of 20 games if they get to the Super Bowl.