Some info for the oaks ex superspot:Please note though with wee matfiled gone and with us fileding atight 5 playing Brussouw becomes a possibility. Personally I am glad Koch is getting a shot as well. I dont miond sensible experimentation.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is set to pull a rabbit out of the hat and hand forgotten flanker Heinrich Brussow his first test start since 2011.
Brussow is likely to get the nod ahead of Warren Whiteley to replace Marcel Coetzee in the Springbok line-up for their Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against world champions New Zealand at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
But Brussow is not the only likely surprise when Meyer reads out the team on Wednesday, uncapped Vincent Koch is set to be rewarded for some exceptional form in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament and could make his debut for the Springboks on Saturday.
The two selections are likely to surprise many, as Meyer searches for the right blend of youth and experience while keeping one eye on the Rugby World Cup with a long injury list keeping some of the stalwarts out of action.
New Zealand could also experiment this weekend, although their biggest shock is likely to be the inclusion of Highlanders pivot Lima Sopoaga at 10 ahead of the more experienced Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett for the match.
Meyer has been roasted by Brussow fans in the past after the flanker failed to make a series of Springbok sides in the past, but to be honest both form and injuries had let the flanker down over the years as he struggled to compare to the likes of Coetzee and Francois Louw, both who have become regulars in the squad.
But this season Brussow has been exceptional for the Cheetahs, upping his workrate and playing a vital part in the loose at both slowing down opposition ball and stealing wherever possible, something that will be a major asset if it happens on Saturday.
Meyer has always said he didn't have anything against Brussow despite perceptions to the contrary and rewarded the flanker with a place in the extended 49-man squad last month although many would have thought it would be a long shot to see him back on the field in Springbok colours.
But Brussow, who turned 29 on Tuesday and was honoured in the team room with a chocolate cake for his birthday, will have an even bigger present as he will play a vital part in the Springboks’ attempts to recreate their victory at the same venue last year.
The All Blacks are likely to select a settled loose trio and one that relies heavily on getting quick ball. Brussow and Francois Louw will be tasked to try and disrupt their play and alongside others like Bismarck du Plessis, the Boks have clearly marked the breakdown as a key area where they need to perform.
Last week the substitution of Du Plessis, coupled with the injury to Coetzee and Louw leaving the field for a deep gash to his cheek meant that Australia’s ploy to bring on fetcher David Pocock to partner Michael Hooper in the loose paid huge dividends for the Wallabies, and swung the momentum their way at a key time in the game.
SCRUMMING SKILLS
Brussow also has the enviable record of having played the All Blacks four times and never having lost against them, with the last time he played for the Springboks being the quarterfinal loss at the 2011 World Cup against Australia. Brussow was in the victorious teams that beat New Zealand in 2009 and 2010 and has a good record against the Kiwis.
While the Boks haven’t spoken about the breakdown battle, the choice would be a difficult one between bringing Whiteley in and moving new captain Schalk Burger to seven or bringing in Brussow to replace Coetzee and placing Whiteley on the bench.
While the Lions captain does give an extra option in the lineouts, Brussow’s abilities at the breakdown could swing the vote in his favour. (We havee enough lineout options)
Whiteley is likely to be on the bench, as the Boks know they face a game where they will need to play for the full 80 minutes, and the Lions captain is a perfect link man in an open game, especially at the end of a match.
Meyer hinted meanwhile that there would be one new cap when he announced Schalk Burger as the new captain on Tuesday afternoon after the team’s practice session.
Koch was seen filling in with the starting line-up at the practice session at St Peters College in Johannesburg and it is likely the Boks will look to him to face the All Black front row to test their depth ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The former Vodacom Blue Bulls prop saw his game excel when he switched from loosehead to tighthead when he joined the Steval Pumas in Nelspruit, but it was the loan agreement with the DHL Stormers and his game time in this year’s Super Rugby tournament that really brought him to the fore.
The Bok management had privately admitted being extremely impressed by his scrumming skills and his versatility around the park, and it wasn’t a surprise when he was named in the extended squad after a good Super Rugby season.
With incumbent Jannie du Plessis showing his critics that he is far from done with a good scrumming performance in Brisbane last weekend, Koch can take a step closer to the Rugby World Cup squad if he puts up a good performance, especially with Coenie Oosthuizen out of the running at the moment as he is recovering from a neck injury.
The Boks are likely to take eight or nine front row forwards to the World Cup to ensure they have enough cover in the squad of 31, but with just three tests left before the World Cup announcement it will be hard to ignore a good scrumming performance at the moment.
The rest of the side is likely to remain unchanged, apart from Lood de Jager moving into the place left vacant by Victor Matfield (HOORAH!!)after his exceptional performance in Brisbane. De Jager, who was only supposed to play 20 minutes in the game, ended up playing 60 and made the most tackles in the Springbok defensive line.(AMAZING REALLY AS THE GUY HAS BEEN OUT FOR SO LONG!!!)
Meyer may also look at giving Cornal Hendricks a run, or he may stick with JP Pietersen as both trained in the position this week. 9NEITHER ARE THE ANSWER)
Possible Springbok team: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Louw, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
