Saffex I was correct in virtually all White's selections for Saturday

I did not know that Steyn was injured again and did not go with the touring party to London.   Do you know what went wrong in this regard - there was no reports in the on-site media on that one?

I would have picked Esterhuixen ahead of Steyn - whether the latter was fit or not - in any event.  That youngster has the real X factor.    He has speed, strength and is unlike Steyn a thinking player. 

That backline has oodles of pace and if they carry that through to Super 15 - we will see some really good backline play.  Wonder what Fisher would be like at full back?

The youngsters can make a name for themselves on Saturday.   I am particularly interested to see how Swiel, Esterhuizen and Fisher goes in Saturday.   I think all three would contribute to a flowing game - not the dead backline syndrome of last year. 

In a way I am glad Steyn is not playing - he is not a type of player that would fit into that backline as he will kill too many balls by ineffective crashballing

 Mozart

I do not really anything.   You must remember these players have mostly been out of rugby for three or more months - many of them have not ever played together in the same team and the field and playing conditions are different from what they are accustomed to in SA.

However, what I am looking for is if this new "breed" of Shark backline players can show some real potential for future development.    Remember if you take the average age of the backline players into account you will find an average of 23 years - 5 of the players being 22 years old and younger.     

Saffex

Why?  At least Esterhuizen shows talent and rugby acumen which Steyn has not done in the past 18 months.  He is not a habitual crashballer like Steyn.   

Saffex

Nice and thoroughly unconvincing argument from a member who is constantly campaigning for replacement of PERFORMING players  -  but is now campaigning for retention of a non-performing player - one who has done zilch over the last 18 months to justify his retention.

No MO, Frans has a slight ankle strain.......he is physically in great shape by all accounts.

DomMike as has been pointed out by numerous posters, Frans had some good games last year.......its just your pathetic prejudice that we see here........much the same as your take on Alberts......its all a load of crap.  

 Saffex

OK  - lets get specific.   The argument is about the so-called food fames of Steyn.

*    How many tries did Steyn score since his return from France?  -     1

*    How many tries was he instrumental in?                                 -     1

*    How many tackles did he beat?                                              -     2

*    How many line breaks did he make?                                       -     1

*    What was his miss tackle ratio?                                              -    16%

The info is on both test and Super 15 matches played.

Is the above indicative of Steyn having had some good games?   The above indicated a center which produced virtually zero in matches played.   What is the reason for his so-called good games evaluation?

The try scored was the result of a kick charge down and did not really stem from center play of value.   The missed tackle ratio is 6% higher than it should be.   There was effectively no penetrative play and what he did amounted to 80% ineffective crashballing and virtually nothing else.  Crashballing should be a variation of play - not like in the case of Steyn a constant.

The above indicates that Steyn is a killer of effective backline play and that is a fact.  If he is physically fit - he may make the grade this year - but that remains to be proven.   If he picks up his pace to a reasonable level expected from an inside center - it may be of  value too.-

I said previously he has a mountain to climb this year and that is a fact.   If there is not a vast improvement - he should not be in the Sharks team.  

He injured his ankle during the RC in 2012 - he then had compartment pressure in one leg - now again an ankle injury.  The above could stem from his serious overweight problem,   Is he still carrying too much lard?   All will be revealed in due course.

You contend he is am unquestionable  selection - I maintain his selection is to be subject to a reasonable level of proven formances of value - something seriously deficient since his return from France.