The bench needs serious strengthening

Part of our problem yesterday was our bench provided a slump, not a lift.

1. We were way worse off with Olivier replacing Fransie at 12.....no ideas offensively and he missed one of his two attempted tackles.

 

2. Pienaar looked like he was getting a bit rusty, or hadn't practiced with the team.

 

3. Strauss likewise was not nearly as assertive as last week.

 

4.  Flip remains a glowering ephemeral threat that never materialises.

 

5. Daniels looked disconnected  with what the team was doing....a busy, but irrelevant bee.

 

6. Did Basson play?

 

7. Werner Kruger once again showed he is not test quality.....immediately after he came on, our scrum became a shambles.

 

At a minimum we should get Olivier and Werner Kruger off the bench. They can only hurt us. The other bench players need to becoame more integrated in the team....in fairness, though, Heyneke was on a tight schedule. I suppose we are stuck with Flip Flop and Daniels, although they too should go for the TN.

 

That leaves Strauss, Pienaar and, by default, Basson. I guess we pretty much need a new bench.

 

I agree with you about Kruger and I also think that Daniel is not passable on international level.   I was disappointed in Strauss's performance this weekend.    That means the bench is chaotic and ineffective.   Unfortunatly other than Kruger - they have only Greyling in the squad and he was given a workover by Malherbe in the last game they playe each other.     Both of these props are not up to standard - period.

Insofar as the backline is concerned I would certainly remain with Basson - he has speed at least.   However, Olivier is a no-no.    

    

Mike I agree with most of your views.....Strauss seemed much less aggressive.....but I think he'll be back.

 

One of the other real issues is subbing plus position changes. By the time we were done.....only Jean, JP and Morne were in their original positions....and JP could have gone for Basson as well.

 

This is too much change. We are asking starters to shift and subs to only cover one position. The starters should play where selected and the subs move around.  Hougaard, Lambie and Fransie must feel they are deck chairs, hopefully not on the Titanic.

Maybe they moved Francois Steyn to fullback - because he would not be available this coming test.   I agree fully with the rest of your comments. 

However, the bench needs to be re-organised and I think Engelbrecht could be an answer.   I am really sorry about Jordaan not be available - but maybe they could use Engelbrecht here and bring him on later to see how he manage to be at center or wing.

Much was said about the three tries scored by the POMS - but really the problem is not really back line defence - but defence around the fringes.    So the real problem is with the loosies - not with the back line defence per se.

Th bench should look like the foillowing - even though i do not think that Meyer would be brave enough to do that:-

16    Strauss

17    Malherbe

18    Van der Merwe - hopefully Kruger would be fit enough to start

19    Kolisi - please not another Daniel

20   Pienaar

21   Engelbrecht

22   Anyone but Olivier.  I would think Aplon or De Jongh  

Yep, the bench has lost its clout with the departure of Coenie. We need to play Greyling or young Malherbe as our sub prop. Strauss or Chiliboy are perfect as hooker replacements as is Flip at lock. Daniel is a good player but will we ever be in a position where the game opens up? We have many options for a bench loosie and maybe a player like Kolisi, J.Potgieter or CJ Stander would be better options.

Pienaar is the obvious choice as the bench 9, v/Zyl will push for that spot shortly. I see no point in Olivier on the bench, JJ Engelbrecht would be a far better option as would Mvovo ahead of Basson

Werner Kruger is def not Bok material.

And neither is I love myself Greyling.

THey are both plonkers and dont offer much in the loose.

Their scrummimg is slightly above average.

The problem is... who else do we have?

Coenie is injured remember.

Kietzhoff cant play this weekend

Who else is there?

flashdakota

What about Malherbe - he destroyed Greyling in the Super 15 game between the Bulls and the Stormer and is a definite improvement on Greyling.   Kruger shoiuld go back to the Bulls - he is useless on international level.

to be honest kruger greyling olivier basson potgieter and daniels are not real test quality. the host of injuries to other candidates have maybe forced meyer to pick these players but i do feel there is other players that can offer much more.

blood younger players now and keep them in and around the system. our biggest worry is our centers. it seems like without franna steyn at 12 our options are really limited.

Why Kolisi isn't in the squad is beyond me, he is so immense. At the very least he should be on the bench.

The Pienaar/Hougaard/Habana is still in my view a very strong tactical switch for change things up for 2nd half.

De Jongh answers the centre problem and oosthuizen is obviously injured.

kolisi is very very raw at the moment and i feel when the other players like burger vermeulen ext are back from injury then it might get tough for him. on the other players i agree but i feel a aplon might also bring that attacking venom but in saying that the stormers backline was nothing short of diabolical the season.

At this moment in time, Malherbe and Kitzhoff are definitly our future fatties.

But for now, I dont think Malherbe is near test level.

TO be honest, Ive been really impressed with WP Nel.

He may not be as aesthetically pleasing as the rest of the mob, but he is extremely strong and doesnt ever shy away in the loose... like Kruger (who simply does not like tackling unless someone is running straight at him).