The issue here is that the Springbok squad announced for the last two games of the Tri-Nations comprises of 26 players. If Kirchner cannot play on Saturdday and with with Steyn out - Meyer will be forced to call two other players to the squad. The argument there would obviously be who those should be clled up. There is a real problem here now. It is obvious that some cover would be needed for the full back position and some for the centers and wings.
In essence - unless further players are called up - Meyer will be forced to put Janthies, De Jongh and Mvovo on he bench in the game on Saturday - becaue there are only 10 players left in the squad.that would be fit to play Jantjies is a problem - because of defensive deficiencies and other issues discussed numerous times on this site. On Saturday he was on for only about 5 minutes and during that time he mised a tackle. Weak - but he would be th best of the three bench players. De Jongh is a very poor attacking center as was again showed on Saturday. This year in Super 15 he showed that he is a reasonably good defender - but hopelessly inadequate in attack - he brings nothing in that respect to the team. Mvovo is a joke - and a very bad one at that
There are obviously variations that Meyer could use in dealing with the calling up of further players to the squad. He would obviously have to look at a player that can cover both the full back and wing positiona and another player that could cover the center and wing positions. The only norm he can effectively use is to look at the performances in the CC. The best full backs this season has been Aplon and Le Rouz. Ludick tried very hard - but he could be another Greyling - so he cannot be considered. I would myself favour Le Roux - but I think it will be Aplon that is called up.
The other player ro be called up is equally difficult to identify. In the CC compeition and the Super 15 - the best performing center - especially in the later stages of the latter competition - tenter was Jordaan. The hact is that Jordaan can play in both center positions and also on the wing. The other player used on the bench was JJ Engelbrecht - he was extremely poor since he returned from the squad and played on CC level. Magoe is not even a good Super 15 players - against weaker defenders he can break the line - but otherwise he is clueless and will never perform on international level. Anyway he is slow and is likely to fail. Meyer may not like Jordaan because of his physique - but he will be very wrong to ignore his good performances.
I would select the following team for Saturday if I was Meyer:-
15 Lambie
14 Habana
13 Taute
12 De Villiers
11 Hougaard
10 Goosen
9 Pienaar
Forwards is as is. If Alberts is out - Meyer is likely to call up Poigieter - but hopefully that would not b necessary. We need fast loosies to try and isolate Carter and my preference will in fact be Coetzee ahead of Alberts.
The Bench
Backline : Jantjies - since somebody have to cover the flyhalf position
Le Roux
Jordaan
Forwards : As was.
