There are basically some crucial decisions Meyer will face in announcing his squad. Some are obvious problem cases - others are preferential cases given the nature of SH rugby.
Position 13
There has been a problem in this position from the start of Meyer's term as coach. In 2012 hee started off with Francois Steyn at 12 and De Villiers at 13. When Steyn got injured - he selected Taute at 13 - and since that was not successful (Taute is in essence a full back - not a center) he then went to De Jongh in the last two tests in 2012.
There is no way that De Jongh was a success in the two games played - he was in fact very poor in both - Meyer in June 2013 ernt for JJ Engelbrecht. This was not a successful exercise either. Although he is very speedy = Engelbrecht proved to be rather problematic in defense and harmless in attack. Meyer than went for Jacque Fourie - but there also there were problems. At the ebst of times Fouie is too slow to be an effective center - his defense is good - his attacking play seriously defective. bordering on the non-existent.
In June this tear Meyer tried a new angle that was tried in 2012 by the Sharks - but soon changed. Pietersens problem was more related to defense and he missed to many tackles in 2012 and the same tendency was noticeable in 2014. It is unlikely that Meyer would waste a top wing on center - if the experiment has some holes in it.
So where to now? Since Francois Steyn was poor at 12 throughout Super 15 and his latest shenanigans did not help either - the answer to play Steyn at 12 and De Villiers at 13 is unlikely to be repeated in 2014. In any event De Villiers is a far better player at 12 than he is at 13.
The whole saga is down to four players - namely De Viilliers, Serfontein, De llende and Jordaan. Joordaan spoiled his copybook slightly on Saturday - since for the first time this year his defense was not sound enough. However, it should be borne in mind that Jordaan rarely played at 13 this year - he played more matches at 12 than at 13 - which could have affected him on Saturday.
Since the other players have all had serious negatives in their performances I would say the likely candidate for selection at 13 would be De Allende. However - even here there are problems. De Billers himself prefer to play at 13 and use De Allende at 12 - and that may have an impact on the selection.
Best Option : Damian de Allende
Potential back up : Paul Jordaan
Flyhalf
Since 2012 Meyer consistently preferred Morne Steyn at flyhalf. When Steyn failed disastrously in 2012 - Meyer selected Goosen at flyhalf and after he was injured - he went for Patrick Lambie. Morne Steyn came back in 2013 and played in most tests. In June 1014 Meyer used Steyn and then went for Pollard in the last test.
Steyn always was and remains a very limited flyhalf. He is a reliable kicker at goal - but at the same time has serious limitations in other aspects of his play. His defense is iffy and he has a tendency to kick aimlessly - thus handing possession over to the opposition cannot be argued against. He is also a poor distributor if balls. Steyn had a very limited season for Stade Francais - mostly being utilized from the bench. His performances in the June test was aberage int eh first test and decidedly poor int he second test. Like happened in the RC games last year, it is unlikely that he will make the grade if selected for the RC tests.
Lambie was good enough in the EOYT in 2012 and also had an acceptable performance in the test arena when he played at flyhalf against Wales and Scotland last year. He was off for months and in his last game his kicking went awry - probably the result of his long absence from the game as a result of injury. Otherwise there qwwas no real problem with his performance last Saturday.
Goosen had a good test when he was given a chance in the Aussie test in Pretoria in 2012 - but he was carrying an injury in the subsequent test and left the field more seriously injured early. Since then he was injured for virtually the whole of 2013. He came on for 2 minutes in the one Welsh test and went off injured. There is no doubt that technically and as a thinking player he is a much better flyhalf than either Steyn or Lambie is. Unfortunately his frequent injuries do not help him in his career.
The final candidate is Pollard. He is very young and has showed signs of becoming an excellent flyhalf in both the latest Under 20 WC and the test against Scotland. He has the natural instincts of a flyhalf and is mature and calm beyond his years.
Best Option : Handre Pollard
Potential back up : Johan Goosen
No 7 Loosie
This has been a problem for the past year and there is no easy answer to the problem. Alberts was the choice since Meyer took over - but he is not really a loosie at all, since his usage is limited to tackles in traffic and an occasional ball carry. Outside of that he plays no constructive role and is in some respects a real handicap. The main problem remains - he is a low work rate player who thus far this year was not really up to standard.
The one option is to play Schalk Burger in this position, but although he is a talented player - he has had a serious injury problem that kept him out of the game for more than 2 years and he had minor injuries keeping him out of some matches after his return He is a good ball player and good in defense as well. However, he is getting on in years and th latest two matches looked like he lost steam. Already at an age where decline n performances sets in - his selection would not serve aby long term benefits.
The second option is Juan Smith - at his prime he was an exceptional loosie. He was off for two years with a serious ankle injury and once fit again - went off to play for Toulon. Was good in the Heineken Cu[ final. There remains to questions about him - namly his age and his ability to play higher tempo SH rugby at resent.
With other potentialc andidates injured - Jacques Potgieter comes into the picture. After moving to the Waratahs he became a much better all round player than he used to be. Ha n excellent year wit the Waratahs this year where he played at lock and as a blindside flank.
Best candidate : Jacques Potgieter
Potential back up : Schalk Burger/Juan Smith
Lock Stiuation
This issue was debated virtually continuously on this site and t will serve no purpose to repeat the same things over and over, That there is a problem is obvious meyer is gpoing to opt gfort eh non-physical Victor Matfield - but I do not think that would lst through the season - he weakens the Tight 5 far too much.
Letswait and see what Myer comes up here with - but to my mind the best lock pstnership should be Etzebeth and De Jager.
