Team for the thirs test - or am I wrong?

I think that there would be some changes to the Springbok team to play next week.   This could obviously be influenced by injuries to Kruger, Lambie and Alberts.   I think the latter two will be able to play - but Kruger's involvement would be problematic.

There are real problem cases insofar as some positions are concerned.   However, in dealing with selections one has to consider Meyer's remarks on the issue as well.   A serious problem is the prop situation.   Both Kruger and Greyling are bad news - so I think that Meyer would find an excuse to blood some of the players that may be in the squad or part of the six players they called up to stay with the squad.

My on read on selections will be as follows:-

15     Lambie

14     Basson

13     De Villiers

12     Francois Steyn

11    Pietersen

10     Jantjies

  9     Hougaard

  8     Spies

  7     Alberts

  6     Kolisi or Coetzee

  5    Van der Merwe

  4    Etsebeth

  3   Malherbe

  2   Du Plessis

  1   Beast

The bench could look markedly different as well.   That could include the following:-

16    Strauss

17   Du Plessis

18    With Kruger out - who should it be?  

19    Kolisi or Coetzee

20    Pienaar

21   Engelbrecht

22   Morne Steyn

You will notice that I am not sure about the number 6 position.   I think that they should give Kolisi a chance - either on the bench or in the team.   However, it would be difficult to replace Coetzee - since he made a major impact in the first two tests.   I would put Kolisi on the bench and drop Daniel completely.

The above selection would provide cover if some of the newbies fail in the positions indicated in the starting line up.

Why on earth would you want to replace Habana with a small guy who has always failled at test level? Jannie was great last week and this week we again dominated the scrums until we subbed Jannie and Bismark. Why on earth would you want to replace the impressive Coetzee at 6, he has been great.

The only changes that need to be made is Jantjies for the useless Morne at 10, Frans is getting married so move Jean to 12, play JP at 13 and bring Mvovo onto the wing. Play Flip ahead of Kruger at lock

Saffex

Meyer said he wants to rest some of the players.    I do thin Habana is one of them - he got injured before he went off.     I think Meyer would want to giv3e Habana a bit of a break before the rest of Suiper 15 and the 4 Nations tournament.   I did not know that Steyn is getting married the coming week - so you are probably right about him being out of contention.

I do not think that Meyer would move Pietersen to 13.  He no doubt had an excelloent game on wing yesterday - but to polay him at 13 would not help.  When he did play at 13 - he was out of depth and not performing well.    Wrong move to play him at 13.   It would probably be Engelbrecht at 13 as they would not play De Jong - he is too light for that job against the big English players.

Kruger will have to be replaced. so Flip is the obvious choice.   The question is - who would be the replacement lock?   

Meyer cant afford to rest players and lose a test. The team needs to be the following, assuming J.Kruger is out and Frans is getting married.

15. Lambie 14. Mvovo 13. JP 12. Jean 11. Habana 10. Jantjies 9. Hougaard 1. Beast 2. Bismark 3. Jannie 4. Flip 5. Etzebeth 6. Coetzee 7. Alberts 8. Spies 16. Pienaar 17. Morne 18. JJ.Engelbrecht 19. Greyling 20. Strauss 21. J.Potgieter 22. Daniel

Alberts can be used as a lock if need be as there is no way Franco v/d Merwe is a test standard lock and the only other lock in the squad. Bring Elstadt in altough he has a match ban I think. If not then Bresler is the answer or Quinn Roux of the Stormers

If he does want to rest Habana theres no way he will want Basson to start, he would let Pienaar start and put Hougaard on the wing and leave JP where he is.