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FORUM / RUGBY /  Pollard gets call up join Springboks (and Adrian Strauss)

Pollard gets call up join Springboks (and Adrian Strauss)

Started by sharkbok5 REPLIES174 VIEWS· 21 Jun 2014, 20:41
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sharkbok
sharkbokCaptain23,295 posts
21 Jun 2014, 20:41
#1
21 Jun 2014, 20:41#1
Pollard and Strauss to join Springboks 21 June 2014, 18:18

Junior Springbok captain Handré Pollard, who was named IRB Junior Player of the Year on Friday, and experienced test hooker Adriaan Strauss will join the Springboks in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Pollard led the South African under-20s at the Junior World Championships in New Zealand. The Junior Boks twice beat New Zealand en route to the final, where they were edged 21-20 by England in Auckland on Friday.

Strauss has been a fixture in the Springbok squad since 2012 and missed out on the last three matches because of suspension. He is free to play again next weekend.

Bryan Habana.

"I've always rated Handré very highly and with Morné returning to France and Johan Goosen struggling with a knee injury, we decided to bring him in," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

"Adriaan has been with us since June 2012 and has played in every test in the last two seasons. He knows our structures well and will slot back in with no hassle."

Seven players based in France and England have been released to their clubs and will not be considered for selection for next weekend's final test in the Incoming Series, against Scotland at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

They are prop Gurthrö Steenkamp, hooker Schalk Brits, lock Bakkies Botha, flank Francois Louw, flyhalf Morné Steyn, centre Wynand Olivier and wing "We will still travel to Port Elizabeth with a strong squad and will only consider calling up more replacements if necessitated by injury," said Meyer.

"I'm a believer in earning opportunities and I feel that some of them deserve a chance to play for the Springboks against Scotland as they've now become accustomed to how we play and won't let their country down."

Jurie Roux, CEO of the SA Rugby Union (Saru), explained that the test against Scotland falls outside of the international window prescribed by the IRB.

"We have reached agreement with the South African provinces and certain clubs that their players may be made available for the match," said Roux.

"The French and English clubs have exercised their right to withdraw their players from the test and we respect and understand that."

Roux said the matches during the Rugby Championship would all be within the IRB window, and the European-based players would be available again for selection.

"Because of the special nature of the Japanese season and the way in which it is structured, we have worked with these clubs to have players available for Springbok duty on an individual basis.

"That means Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez and JP Pietersen will be available for certain matches, as agreed with their clubs.

"All Rugby World Cup matches next year fall within an international window and therefore all South African qualified players based anywhere will be available for selection."

© Sapa
sharkbok
sharkbokCaptain23,295 posts
21 Jun 2014, 20:44
#2
21 Jun 2014, 20:44#2
 Goosen has a knee injury? I thought he was on the bench today. Although when Morne went off, it was Pienaar that came on at flyhalf
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
21 Jun 2014, 20:58
#3
21 Jun 2014, 20:58#3
 Sharkbok
No = we did not have a flyhalf on the bench today.  The bench was Pienaar, Olivier and Mvovo
With Strauss and Pollard called up - I think the team for Saturday will look like this:-
15   Le Roux14   Pietersen13   Jordaan12   Serfontein11   Hendricks10   Pollard  9   Du Preez  8   Vermeulen  7   Burger  6   Coetzee  5   Matfield  4   De Jager  3   Jannie du Plessis  2   Bismarck du Plessis  1   Mtawarire
I would have liked to see the release of the the Sharks players as well - especially Jannie and the Beast - they definitely need a break.   If that is decided upon the props will look markedly different as well
I have a feeling that Matfield may have broken a finger today.  If that is the case I think that they will call up two further locks as well.  Could be Willemse and Lewies.   The loosies look short as well - if Alberts is out they might have to call up another loosie as well.    Burger did not impress me at all today.      

BE
Beeno1Captain40,032 posts
21 Jun 2014, 21:18
#4
21 Jun 2014, 21:18#4
 One can only hope wee victor takes a well earned rest. what a blessing that would be.Is Marnitz out? Meyer considers Pienaar a flyhalf option. I actually do doubt he will start with Pollard but who knows.
We shall see who is fit and who is not. "We will still travel to Port Elizabeth with a strong squad and will only consider calling up more replacements if necessitated by injury," said Meyer
Beast, Jannie, and Bissie all need a break as does Alberts. Doesn't look as if Meyer is going to call up more players?


CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
21 Jun 2014, 22:55
#5
21 Jun 2014, 22:55#5
 Beeno
I think Meyer will look at the injury situation and then decide on further call ups.  
DE
DennyCaptain12,893 posts
22 Jun 2014, 06:28
#6
22 Jun 2014, 06:28#6
 Bismark has gone off he's game, he is nowhere near what he used to be, the best hooker in the world played as an additional loosie. Maybe it has something to do with the passing of his dad but something is different about his play and it has been for quite a while. I hope Pollard is not going to be rushed into the Test arena, we've been clutching at straws with our flyhalves now that Lambie, Goosen, Jantjies, Catrakillis have all hit the sack file. 
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