Springbok selection - Opinion Poll

I see on News 24 that 59% of the contibutors think that Meyer missed once again  the boat with regard to his player selections.   I thought th disapproval ratings would be much higher than 59% - and can only account for it by high percentage participation from the Bulls area.

On the same news I saw Mapoe signed to go to the Bulls next year for Super 15.   Apparetly that is the final nail in the coffin of Engelbrecht.   Is Mapoe being wise?   Does he not realize center play for the Bulls is a grave yard for players.

"Earl Rose" Jantjies also finally signed to go to the Stormers.   I lay a R1000 bet that before the season is over next year the Stormers will regretythat  signature really badly..   They are really going to suffer because of that one.    Won't like to see the Stormers suffer because of that one - but suffering is inevitable with him around.

People are obsessed with being anti-bull. One or two players in the squad are lucky to be there, but it could have been worse. I am very glad Guthro has been called up, he was by far our best prop last year and the year before. Have'nt seen much of him since his move over the pond, but I am sure he is still better than anyone playing in SA at the moment.

Bluebok

I am definitely not anti-Bull.  I want to see them as one of the top teams in Super 15 - but at this styage they are not really up there - too many mediocre players. Unfortunately some of those made their way into the Bok squad.   Also like Steenkamp in the squad and would even want to see him starting - but has not seen enough matches he was in in France - and hope he kept up the good work.

I can honestly, cross my heart, hope to die, say that I don't care what province players in the Springbok squad a from, as long as there is a good reason for them being there. I suspect the reason there are a few Bulls in the squad that could probably be replaced by better players, is that if they were left out, there would simply be too many disruptioins to the squad. Meyer is slowly getting the deadwood out, but to force the issue would leave him with an unsettled squad. Look, I don't think Flip should even be playing Super Rugby, let alone for the Boks, but I can still see that wholesale changes will also not fix anything. M Steyn is still a viable option (Even if only due to a lack of options) until Goosen recovers. Lambie is his real competition at flyhalf, Jantjes is a joke. Kirchner is boring and nothing special, but he is solid enough. Nobody can deny that Hougard has that something special, and as a impact player could easily win a game for the boks. Kruger is decent, even though not spectacular. With Bizmark and Liebenberg out, Chilli at least brings a bit of experience, and lets face it, he is not as bad as we all thought he was a few years back.  My point is, they are there because of a lack of options, and that lack of options is mostly due to injuries.

Bkuebok

To be quite fair and reasonable -  I sort of like Flip van der Merwe.  I think he is a few notches above Kruger.  You saw what I said about the WP players in the Meyer squad.  I actually think only two deserve selection - namely Etzebeth and Vermeulen - De Villiers and De Jongh have shown bugger-all  all year and that try scored by De Jongh must have been like manna from heaven for Meyer.

Ok - I am prepared to give in in respect of Hougaard - but there is some serious coaching required and that is not forthcoming at present.  Insofar as flyhalfs is concerned - my rating in fact is as follows:-

Goosen

Lambie

Steyn

Catrakillis

Sias

Schreuder

Bosman

Jantjies - the latter only becuse there is nobody else that can be rated.   As far as I am concerned WP can have him - they soon enough realize they have made a mistake on that one. 

Deadwood there is aplenty - but Meyer is not touching the core of the real deadwood yet.   He rather is bringing in more.like CJ van der Linde for example.   A couple more losses will teach him something - but I do not know whether he would find the standard excuses of any help.    

80% of the people posting on Sports24 are WP supporters.

@bongani yeah buddy but its those real rift raft 80%.....i read some of the comments on there forum and cant help but laugh

As a South African, I am actually embarrassed by some of those comments.