Ex Sport 24
Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett believes Heinrich Brüssow's height is a reason Bok coachHeyneke Meyer does not pick him.
Brüssow, 27, was again a notable omission when Meyer named his Springbok squad at the weekend.
Mallett, speaking as a pundit on SuperSport, said the Cheetahs fetcher is a fantastic player but he knows why Meyer does not pick him.
"There's 36 players (in the Bok squad), so its a very big squad and to be honest I don't think there are too many missing here. One could argue for Brüssow but we all know Heyneke has his reasons. He doesn't really appreciate short loose forwards even though I think Brüssow is a fantastic player," said Mallett.
The 1.81m Brüssow has never played a Test under Meyer and his last international appearance came at the 2011 World Cup.
Mallett was nevertheless impressed with the squad and believes the Boks have enough talent to do well.(THis will be another blow to the fire Meyer brigade!! Hahhahahaha)
"There's a strong blend of experience and youth. You've got Victor (Matfield) (OH NO!!!!!), you've got Bakkies (Botha) back, Guthrö Steenkamp, Frans Steyn, Morné Steyn. A lot of players that Heyneke has counted on before, but then there's also the youngsters. Damian de Allende, (S'bura) Sithole, there's a great opportunity for Cornal Hendricks too, who has done well.
"There's certainly enough talent there to do the job in this next month. I've always said that in spite of how the South African sides play in the Super Rugby campaign, we've always got the ability to pick 15 or 23 really strong individual players, despite the fact that we've had a few injuries," said Mallett.(More problems for the gloom and doom merchants!)
Mallett is in charge of the World XV to take on the Boks in their first game of the year at Newlands this coming Saturday.
After that, the Boks play two Tests against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and one against Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
The squad is a large one and Meyer has used the size of the squad to achieve certain ends. I have my disappointments but will not be calling for M eyer to be fired right now!
