After a relatively injury-free 2013, Jean has picked up a number of injuries and he was out for quite a number of games in Super 15 this year. His last injury seems to b more serious than the other relatively minor ones. I have always been a De Villiers admirer and I hope he does recover fully and have an injury free tests record from now on.
If he cannot play - there is an immediate serious problem facing the Springboks. The problem basically is who should be called up if De Villiers - or for that matter Serfontein ur De Allende - is not available due to injury. The list is short and not very encouraging:-
* Francois Steyn - problem is he was the worst performing center - both in defense and attack - in Super 15 this year;
* Juan de Jongh cannot himself do anything in attack - but is dangerous when put into space by another player - a truly pathetic defender;
* JJ Engelbrecht - a limited vision player - who has never really adjusted to the center role.- not really up to standard n both attack and defense.
* Meisiekind - his blond curls gone, he now is just not up to standard - never really was - harmless as a butterfly;
* Ebersohn - not Meyer's favourite, but essentially a good player
* Jordaan - the youngest of the lot and a key player for the Sharks - the best defensive center in Super 15 and a vision player.
Jordaan was called up to the squad previously - in June - and did train with them during the test series - so he is likely to be the top stand in candidate. A vision player and very dangerous in attack.
Mozart will have his standard fit about that one - but there is really no other choice available.
