He played for 30 minutes coming from the bench - but really showed very little in that time. H had possession of the ball 5 times - made two passes, got tackled by Labuchagne twice (one going backwards in the tackle) and got tackled by anther player the fifth time.
Still seems a bit thinner than he used to be and may need some time to strengthen his body more. Need a season of Super 15 rugby to really assess his performance.
Clevermike he's on the wrong side of thirty so thats geriatric by your standards is'nt it?
Same with Habana.
Surely you can't expect these old fullas to be there at the next RWC?
I'm a bit worried about your succession plan or lack of one. Whereas the ABs have alot of younger players coming through i'm not sure whether SA can say the same ?
Steinlager
They have more younger quality players than NZ can dream about - a lot has played already on Super 15 level. The problem is Meyer refused to look past his rugby geriatrics, especially those with a Bulls connection and keep on selecting duds. However, his persistence of those players are going to backfire on him sooner rather than later.
Mozart
To console you on one thing - although Burger definitely needs game time and he is physically not where he should be - there is one thing that he showed - and that iis it is better to try and pass balls than too crashball all the time like our present numbskulls think is the only game in town.
By the way - your hatred of Labuschagne is getting the better of you - start think ing logically - you are making a fool of yourself.
"By the time Schalk was Labuschagne's age he had won the World Player of the Year."
Kinda puts things into perspective...
Debby
Let me put it clearly - I always was a Burger admirer - but it is not what he was in the past as a player - it is what he is able to do now and in future. It is no good to praise a player based on the past and then advocate his future selection as a Springbok if he is unable to perform well in the present and future environment.
That is why I said he will have Super 15 next year to prove that he still belongs in the Springbok team. Hope he does well - but he did not really showed much last night. Matter of fact physically he looked a weaker than he used to be.
He "did not really showed much" says the OOm in his own unique language. But three posts above he says: "one thing that he showed - and that iis it is better to try and pass balls".....again with an enigmatic style that is all his own.
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So which is it Maaik...."not really showed much" or "iis better to try and pass balls"?
Mozart
Too be quite frank he did make two passes to backline players in an effort to start an attacking move. He himself otherwise showed very little and was up against Labuschagne who gave him no room to do anything of note. Took two heavy tackles from Labuschagne.
Burger seems a bit thinner than he was previously and may need some more time to get back physically to where he was two years ago.
I think he needs a full Super 15 season o see whether he is still up to play on that level and then make an assessment of how he performs on higher level. There are still a few CC matches left this year - and he will get some more playing time this year too and that will also show whether he is suitable for higher honours.
Maybe it is unfair to look only at what he achieved yesterday. He only played for circa 30 minutes and it was his first game in about 21 months. I hope he shos up better in future - we can do with a further alternative to the perennially under-performing Alberts.
