Lucid
With respect I differ from you on a number of points about the backline combination you mentioned. I am an Aplo admirer. He was to my mind always a very good player and still is a much more effective full back than Kirchner. However, in the Super Series this year he was rarely played at full back - Pietersen was the preferred full back and Aplon more often played on the wing. For some reason or another he was less effective this year than he was previously. When he was called up to the Bok squad and was brought on from the bench in the PE game he was out of depth. Aplon is getting on in age and I am not sure if that is the reason why his performance has shown signs of decline this year.
Is Chavanga still playing rugby? Have not seen him play this year in Super 15 or the CC. Therefore it is very hard to actually assess his performances at this stage. I am a Rhule admirer and have high hopes for hm in future.
JP Pietersen was tried a number of times at 13 by Plumtree. He really was ineffective in that position and was consequently moved by him to wing - where he had a stellar year. I think Pietersen is a natural wing with exceptional abilities. At 13 there were serious reservations whether he should in fact be in the Springbok squad at all. Pietersen to my mind is one of the best wings in the world - but he is not remotely so at 13.
De Jongh is to my mind one of the best defensive players in the game. His tackles are low and effective. However, his stats and performances this year in the Super Series and other first class games indicate that he is totally ineffective as an attacking player. Not only is he easily tackled by opposition players - but there is a disturbing tendency of his trying to hang onto the balls once tackled leading to pemnalties and it is also happening frequently that there are turnovers in maul situations after he got tackled. He failed to attack and whilst drawing in opposition defenders, to off-load the ball effecively to other players thus continuing with attacking moves. All that is part and parcel of the Stormers try scoring vows in Super 15 this year. If I wa looking for a defensive center only De Jongh would be high on the list - as an attacking center he is a definite no-no.
Insofar as De Villiers is concerned - he was less effective this year in all games played - be it at 12 or 13. In his case there are definite indications that his player age is becoming a problem. He also throughout his career has had more than his fair share of injuries. 2013 will be his last year in the Super Series and I think at 32 he is definitely on his way out.
All the above indicates that we have a serious problem at center - and none in the wing position. I agree with you about Taute at full back though and would like to see more of him in that position next year. Unlike Saffex I think he played his best rugby in the Super series at full back and I am sure the Stormers will play him in that position and he would bethe top full back we have in SA.
