Meyer expalins Stormers snub

“I don’t count which guys are in which teams. I just pick the guys I believe are the best,” Meyer said after the brutal north-south derby in the capital city.

“There are a lot of their great players injured, like Duane Vermeulen, who is a great player, Schalk Burger and Andries Bekker, who is also not around.

“If I pick a team I need to pick the team that I believe is the right one.”

Meyer said the Stormers had a number of talented youngsters coming through the ranks and it was only a matter of time before more players in the side earned their Springbok colours.

He added that the match between the Bulls and the Stormers was a window into the kind of game plan the Springboks would adopt.

“I think it was great spectacle in typical Test match rugby [style] and that is how I want the Boks to play,” Meyer said.

“Obviously you want to score tries and get the people on their feet, but for me it is all about playing tactically well and playing winning rugby.

"England are a tough team and they’ve been together for quite some time so it’s not going to be easy.

“We need to play a type of rugby typical to South African strengths.”

A direct, physical approach also fitted into the Bok mentor’s fondness for big, strong, athletic players, which did not bode well for the likes of Stormers backline players Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh, who did not get a call-up, despite their skill and individual attacking brilliance.

"Going forward, after the England series, we’ll relook the situation and choose a captain for the long term."

Basically what I thought

Will always select a Bull player - only exception is when a player is 20 times better than a Bull's player.  Ten times not enough.

You can lie to the public,but you can't lie to yourself

I don't agree clevermike. Yes, some of the things Meyer has done don't seem to make sense, but once he has explained his actions, they do make sense. The standout players for the Stormers have been rewarded. Kolisi and co are still young and have no experience, but it is clear they have been noticed by Meyer and will feature in the near future. De Jongh and Aplon seem to be unlucky, but he wants big bruisers, yes even in the backs, because they cross the advantage line easier in the tight stuff. Also, what have they (De Jongh & Aplon) done this year that is so special?

JJ and Olivier and one or two others don't deserve to be there, but on the whole I like Meyers thinking. Brussouw is very unlucky.   

It's linear thinking. You have to be big. The fact is Habana wasn't big when he started playing tests.....under 6 feet and 85kgs. But he is ok. Juan de Jongh who is an inch shorter and weighs 87 kgs is not.

It's nonsense. As is this idea that Meyer has to gradually shed his Bools allegiances.  He is the national coach.

Under this view of the world Mannetjies Roux, the most brilliant rugby player I have seen, would never have played test rugby.

Basson is there and he is small so clearly meyer is not shutting the door on small players. Like him I beli ve a good big un beats a good little un.

I have decided to suspend judgement. The Stormers would have 6 in but for injuries and more if forwards were not so very young.

 I can live with the fact for Juan, Aplon and Joe not making it.

So for now benefit of doubts go to Meyer. Facts are there has been a bias in his coaching staff and even selections but this series againt England is such that the player selections are to be seen in the light of preparation time and hence the bulle who paly his style and know it backwards got so many in.

We will need to keep an eye on Mr Meyer but give the guy a chance he has earned the right to coach the Boks.

As a Stormers supporter I am delighted our guys can havea rest.

 @Beeno:

Some sensible arguments there boet. Yes I am inclined to give heynecke a chance as well taking into account the unique circumstances of this series. I hope come Championship time things will start to shape more. As I beliueve the team will look significantly different in 18 months. Also I think Jean will have to play his boots off as this will be his last and only chance to captain the team at least from a first choice captain perspective. Realisticaly we all know he is a good choice short term, but no long term choice. Dependant on who is fit come championship time.

Beans, very nice comment man. I agree with you 100%, given the circumstances surrounding the England tests, there is some logic behind his thinking. He does not have time with the team, so the more players he uses that are familiar with his style, the better. Stormers really haven't been that hard done by given injuries and the inexperience of the younger players. The Boks still have the players in the squad to make a very strong side. Meyer has already said that he has a game plan in mind, and he will select players that  will suite that game plan. That explains Basson's inclusion, because he is strong under the high ball, chasing up etc, and that obviously is going to work with Meyers game plan. It is going to be a kicking game, and that is fine. No point trying to re-invent the wheel in one week.

The first game is gonna be very tough, but after that the boys should start to gel a bit. As EK pointed out, the team should look very different in 18 months time, so not a time for us to panic.

basically,Heyneke Meyer is biased.

It's all rubbish....if the choice was between competent big guys and small guys maybe. But Basson, Olivier , Kirchner.....all guys who were tried in tests and dropped for good reason. And JJ who was whipped through the outside gap by Kolisi.

It's a biased choice.

Moz try wake up, when Habana was 85kg's that was some 8 years ago where size was not nearly as paramount as in todays game.

As for the Bulls bias crap, last I checked it looks like there will be 7 Sharks in the starting Bok 15, with 5 Bulls and 3 Stormers. Bias my arse, just a good selection by Meyer for the most