Frans Steyn's squad replacement

Whether you felt that Steyn should be picked ahead of Serfontein or not, you will have to admit that his withdrawal has us in a tight spot. The question is who is next in line? JdV and De Allende are both injured. At least the path for De Allende to cement a place in the Bok setup has been made easier by Steyn's withdrawal. Possible candidates to fill the open squad slot: None that I can think of. Venter of the Cheetahs has proved average and hasnt played enough. Hollenbach is solid at best. Heimar Williams has the talent but has not had the game to sufficiently develop into Bok material. Mnisi hasnt broken through. What ever happened to Tim Whitehead? All of the above indicates a call overseas. It basically comes down to Robert Eborsohn vs Wynand Olivier. My hope is that it is Eborsohn but the coach knows and trusts Olivier so he must be favorite to be added as back up in the squad.

 
Word has it that Meyer sat down last night and drew up a list of pensioners.

He went through his list to see who on the list had an affiliation to the Bulls ... and VOILA!!!!!!!!!!!

Wynand Olivier's name came up time and again.

Given the situation CleanCut, who would you draft into the squad? It is either a talented player who hasnt shown enough to be selected ie Williams, or one of the two overseas blokes and he has shown an unwillingness with Ebersohn in the past. After the JWC he may even opt for Esterhuizen, but he hasnt been given exposure among the big boys

 How about Watermeyer or even Benjamin? 

We are really digging deep in the pits now Beeno. Benjamin was a stop gap at the Cheetahs and is Watermeyer really first choice when all the players are fit at the Lions. It would surely be a great day for the Pumas union if he gets selected. I dont think the coach will venture that deep and low to fill his squad. 

 Benjamin had a a very good Super 15 and is reasonably big and is fast. Watermeyer is good and could do a job for us.But yes of course it's not helpful having Jean, Allende, Frans and Jaque Fourie all out.
Jan gets a difficult chance and JP was good last Saturday. For the momenet we are still covered with JJ as a reserve. 
I wonder how the bulle flyhalf Jean Louis Potgieter would go at inside center? He can break a line has nice accelaration and a good rugby brain.

 
Must agree Mick ... Benjamin and Watermeyer are waaaaaaaaaay at the bottom of the barrel.

I think Beeno may be taking the piss ... hope so any way.

Olivier has shown many a time that he couldn't make the step up to test rugby. I was however impressed with his defensive effort on Saturday ... still ... never really been a fan of the man.

Thing is who else.

Serfontein should by rights get the nod. It does however seem as if Meyer hasn't much confidence in the lad. Puzzling to say the least.

Problem with Serfontein is that he may have a few caps behind his name, but can one really regard his caps as worthy, seeing as he was brought on with only 5 minutes of game time per cap. 

I dunno. To be fair he would be my pick at 12 with Sithole at 13.

Esterhuisen is an excellent talent. One to consider as well.

Both sets of the Steyn and Serfontein haters must now admit that we have a concern when it comes to depth. What happens if Serfontein get injured on Saturday? I agree with some of your assertions Beeno but given the gravity of the situation which we will face if another 12 is out, Meyer will surely opt for what he knows and not throw an unknown quantity to the wolves 

Yes CleanCut, Meyer has no other option but start Serfontein now. Serfontein will either swim or sink but this is the opportunity many posters have asked for. It will be a stern test of his credentials vs Roberts. As far as the back up in the squad which would essentially be our 5th choice 12, we cant expect a player so low down in the pecking order to be world class. 

 
Meyer's had many an opportunity to blood young talent with decent game time and he never used it.

Now the idiot's sitting with his dick in his hand wondering what next.

The man drives me insane.

So much wasted time.

His hand has now been forced. I hear he'll be announcing his match 23 today sometime.

I'm very curious to see who and what lengthy explanation he brings forth to the media.

The best inside centre in the country by a country mile is Jan Serfontein, so the choice is obvious - however we are dealing with a clueless clown as a coach so who knows  

Your assertion is obviously biased Saffex. To most Serfontein isnt clearly the best 12 in the country but he is challenging for the position. That is in fact besides the point, the object of this debate is who Meyer will draft into the squad and your post really didnt provide any insight. 

Xtramick........fuck you  

Just stick to the point of the debate. Otherwise it will be hijacked by Jan Serfontein lovers and haters. I agree that Serfontein must now start. The question is, who is supposed to be the backup in the broad squad. Simple insults dont provide insights. 

 Ha ha gota love the Saffex post. I read this thread from the top and never did I expect that short yet powerful response from Dave..Ha ha classic..
I am a Jordaan fan but it is imperative that the Boks play Serfontein now. He has been selected for another season now and we need to see what this kid has got. Perhaps he is the "Ma'a Nonu" of SA rugby. Average at super rugby level but put the green and gold 12 jersey on him and he becomes sublime! Who knows..There is only one way to find out. If he does not perform, then he can be dropped from the squad in confidence. At the moment, he has not been given a fair go. Coaches obviously saw/see something special in him and he deserves a chance to show them what he has..
I feel that Jordaan can offer the Boks a great deal from 12 or 13 but fact remains, he has never been selected and if Jan is not given a fair chance then I have only these powerful words for Heynecke Meyer.
Heynecke...f uck you ;-)

Given the current depth crisis Jordaan would be a good cover option in the squad. It is a shame if he settles at playing 12 because I really feel he has the game breaking ability and pace to make a fine 13. The argument is probably that Sithole has lifted him from the Sharks starting lineup 

 Sithole has lifted fuck all! Jordaan is a better player than Sithole any day of the week. We just needed Steyn at 10.
I agree with you, Jordaan will make a fine 13. He can prob also play the "Robert Ebersohn" role at 12 that worked a treat at the Cheetahs. Nothing better than Jordaan at 13 when Lambie is playing. He really comes into his own when he is receiving fast attack ball. Unfortunately with Steyn at 10, Sharks played a much more defensively aligned game plan and this is corroborated by the amount of tries and bonus points we accrued with Lambie vs Steyn at 10.
Not saying Steyn did a bad job. I mean, we almost went 4 from 4 on tour and should have gone 4 from 4 with Steyn at 10 but he doesn't offer fluidity on attack.

I agree fully that Jordaan is a better player than Sithole. He has always had a creative spark, his pace gives him an attacking edge. This year he has shored up his defence as well which his good tackling stats attest to. When it comes to the pecking order it seems like HM has Sithole above Jordaan and JW sticked with Sithole at 13 even after Jordaan's recovery from injury. When Lambie is back we wil have a clear picture of who is his first choice 13. Unjustly so it doesnt look good for Jordaan's Bok prospects. 

 Jan Serfontein gives me a hard on

Man there are some pathetic individuals in this world......whoever you are......may you be blessed with a terminal disease and one that causes plenty of pain on your lonely journey to the end