"SOUTH AFRICA ARE TAKING A HUGE GAMBLE GOING INTO THE WORLD CUP, GETTING UNDERWAY IN ENGLAND IN JUST OVER A WEEK.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is so obsessed with experience that he has included scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, although he has not played for seven months.
A survivor of the 2007 World Cup-winning team, Du Preez has not featured in a Test since being injured against Scotland in the middle of last year.
The last competitive match for the 33-year-old was with his Japanese club in February and a proposed comeback during the 2015 Rugby Championship failed to materialise because of a training ground knee injury.
Lured out of international retirement in 2013, Du Preez admits it will take time to regain Test-level sharpness.
"Parts of my game will not be ready," he concedes.
"I will have to find them during the World Cup. I do not have a choice.
"I will give my best for the Springboks and if that is not enough, so be it. I put a lot of pressure on myself and it is a good challenge."
The Springboks squad has suffered a glut of injuries during the build-up to the global rugby showpiece in England.
Du Preez, skipper and centre Jean de Villiers and No.8 Duane Vermeulen are the most notable 'crocks'.
Team doctor Craig Roberts this week gave the assurance that they are all 'fighting fit' and will be available for the opening match against Japan, in Brighton next Saturday, September 19.
However, Du Preez, De Villiers, Vermeulen and several other likely first choices will fly to England on Friday (September 11) distinctly ring rusty.
De Villiers has been particularly unlucky as he broke his jaw against Argentina last month just weeks after completing a miraculous recovery from a career-threatening knee injury.
Some reports have suggested De Villiers, capped 107 times, could miss several games in a pool that also includes Samoa, Scotland and the United States.
Reigning South African Rugby Player of the Year Vermeulen, who epitomises the physicality of the South African pack, is recovering from neck surgery and last played in May.
But Meyer is prepared to gamble as the Springboks seek a record third world title.
"You need experienced players because they know how to handle pressure," explains the 47-year-old whose contract - which expires after the tournament - has reportedly been extended by another four years.
"When the knock-out stages come, the pressure will really be on. Guys with cool heads, who will not concede stupid penalties, are going to be needed."
Meyer selected two survivors - lock Victor Matfield and loose forward Schalk Burger - of the 2003 squad that made a timid quarterfinals exit to arch rivals New Zealand.
The pair plus wings JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana, De Villiers, Du Preez, fellow scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, hooker Bismarck du Plessis and prop Jannie du Plessis were part of the triumphant 2007 squad.
Add six 2011 survivors, fullback Zane Kirchner, flyhalves Patrick Lambie and Morné Steyn, prop Tendai Mtawarira and loose forwards Willem Alberts and Francois Louw, and there are 15 Springboks with World Cup experience.
Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett expects a conservative game plan from former Bulls handler Meyer.
"It will be a tactical plan, which is basically a kicking game," he predicted.
"Expect a conservative brand. We will play off turnovers, a great defensive system and good set-pieces."
So where are we in this World Cup with the players mentioned?
2003 WC squad
Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger were in teh squad and Jean de Villiers was selected - but never took part because of injury.
The outcome was a disaster and best forgotten
2007 WC squad
The above 2 was joined in 2007 and the above three was joined by Habana, JP Pietersen, De Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar, Jannie du Plessis and Bismarck du Plessis was in the squad at the time. They were in top performing stage of their career.
The result was a top class performance by the squad - no dispute.
2011 EC Squad
The above 9 players were joined by Kirchner, Lambie, Morne Steyn, Alberts, Louw and Mtawarira. That made up 15 squad members who were all in the 2011 WC.
The result was a disaster and it showed in the team performances in the pool games - the squad was way over the hill and not performing on a reasonable manner. Blame was laid at the door of Bryce Lawrence - but the fact was the team was just not good enough.
2015 EC Squad
What can we expect from the 15 experienced players in the present squad? I am afraid nothing of consequence.
Pienaar admitted he is not ready to play - he will not be ready I am afraid.
Matfield is destructive because he does not contribute to Tight 5 play
De Villiers had a bit of playing time - but as rusty
Alberts has been a flop in matches over the past three years
Pietersen lost his pace completely and never had a good local game for years.
One can go on and on about the rest of the experienced players - suffice it to say that they are in the main over-the-hill non-performers and Meyer is bluffing himself that the under-performers are going to suddenly come right in the play-offs in the WC. Sorry Meyer - but you are in for a rude shock in the upcoming WC. But it is your own doing because you selected players based on reputation - not on performance.
Experience is an advantage - but then it must be accompanied by PERFORMANCE. The latter is absent from the present squad - that is a fact.
I would like to add three comments made by members of the public about the above:-
"Meyer should sign up with gamblers anonymous, he's been gambling for four years now and has lost everything."
"Yup, He has yet to build a team from the 2007 show piece, We were promised a "new brand" and "progress into running rugby! Yet we are still bored to death with a Jake White game Plan from the middle of last decade, and our talent being side lined by "THE CHOSEN ONE'S" uneducated idea of what it takes to coach the boks... Kitch Kristie, PDV, Nick Mallett, Jake White all won titles and moved our country forward... HM has cost SA four years while he was at the helm!"
"This will be our worst WC performance to date... No coach should gamble on a National team! Had he picked the best 31 on form and merit, the nation would have been far more understanding, HM will forever be remembered as SA worst national coach, not having won a single piece of silverware and not being able to let go of his provincialism at national level... I wonder what excuses will be used, when he returns cup less once again!"
Not only some of our thinking members who have reservations about the squad and Meyer's coaching abilities - there is a lot of unhappiness all over the show in evidence.
