I keep a watch out for the performances of our centers - since that is always a very ticky discussion point. In that regard I always look at the present Springboks and the pretenders using the ESPN stats. This item will be updated after the Sharks and Stormers games.
JJ Engelvrecht
Engelbrecjt really did not show much in the two games played thus far. He carried the ball 9 times for a total territory gain of 16 meters, in the process beating noi defenders. No real impression on attack
He list possession of the ball 3 times.
His defence was good with 14 tackles made and only 1 missed tackle
Johan Sadie
Sadie showed much more in attacking play than Engelbrecht did. He carried the ball 8 times for a meter gain of 38 meters - in the process making 1 clean line break and beating 4 defenders.
He list possession of the ball 2 times.
His defence was good with 7 tackles made and only 1 missed tackle.
Paul Jordaan
Jordaan never once got the ball from Francois Steynm who desperately tried to keep the ball away from him. The one time ge fot the ball he did extremelt welkl with it.
RATING OF 13's
1 Jordaan
2 Sadie
3 Engelbrecht
Francois Steyn
Does Steyn know that he should not bugger up the while backline functioning by his refusal to pass balls? In the two games thus far he handled the ball 35 times - he kicked 4 times and passed it 11 times. He carried the ball 20 times for a net territory gain of 34 meters. Beside that he lost possession 4 times and fabe away e penalties. This is by far a totally unacceptable performance and todays performance us the worst by a 12 I have seen for years.
Jean de Villiers
This was a seriously deficient performance by De Villiers. He had one reasonable run with ball in hand and then passed it to a Lions player. Je made no tackles and missed 1. To crown it off - he gave away a penalty.
Jan Serfntein
A bit of a mixed bag. He carried the ball 14 times - in the process gaining 44 meters and beating 5 defenders. However he lost the ball 3 times and gave away 1 penalty.
His defence is seriously questionable making 12 tackles and missing 5 for a missed tackle ratio of 29,4% - this is about 15% higher than acceptable.
Francois Venter
He carried the ball 10 times - in the process gaining 23 meters and beating 3 defenders. However he lost the ball 3 times and gave away 2 penalties.
His defence was acceptable - making 26 tackles and missing 4 for a missed tackle ratio of 13,3% - this is about par for the course..
RATING OF 12's
1 Venter
2 Serfomtein
3 Steyn
4 De Villiers
