Upfront Crisis for the Boks vs All Blacks

By: Nick Walker | Latest Rugby News | Tuesday September 11 2012 6:17

The Springboks face a crisis up front for Saturday's Rugby Championship test against the All Blacks in Dunedin.

Lock Eben Etzebeth's been banned for two weeks for headbutting Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe during Saturday's in Perth.

He'll only miss one match, with the Springboks not playing next weekend, and coach Heyneke Meyer says it's a big loss.

"Eben as a 20-year-old is playing superb rugby, I thought he was awesome this weekend as well, and he will be one of the greats going forward. So it will be a huge setback because we've some sort of continuity in our tight five now."

And a decision will be made on minor injuries to props Jannie du Plessis and Pat Cilliers this morning.

Meyer says they'll need to bring in reinforcements if either of the pair can't play.

"There's a few options but at this stage we're looking at all our options, unfortunately can't give a name now because it depends if the impact player or guy's going to start, but we are looking at a few options from South Africa."

He says they'll make an SOS to South Africa if they need a replacement.

"We do have Dean Greyling on the bench but he's mainly a loosehead and New Zealand's probably got the best scrum in world rugby at the moment so definitely a concern, but it's also difficult now just to fly someone in, if he's going to play it's going to take time so we need to make the right call."

Meyer says while it's a setback, there's good depth in the likes of Flip van der Merwe.

"It will be a big loss, I've got a lot of respect in Flip and Bakkies is on standby so maybe you lose some, you win some."

Veteran lock Bakkies Botha is likely to join the squad from Toulon, while there's confidence winger Bryan Habana will be fit after aggravating an ankle injury.

Photo: Heyneke Meyer

I say that Bakkies should start the game. We need an enforcer without Etzbeth, now suspended. 

If Bakkies is 32 now, I wonder if he could make it to the next world cup. Not sure, but probably not. He has had missed many games due to suspensions and minor injurues so his body could still be in one piece by then, but probably past his best. I think preference should usually be given to players who are going to be in the picture at the next world cup. Dan Carter and Mccaw may also make the next world cup or just miss it. Both of their bodies have been through the wars so maybe injuries will rule them out before age.

i would start with bakkies as well. he will galvanise the team with his xp and just pressence. i am just worried about his fitness ext.

Forget about Bakkies - his club will not allow him to play and he would not breach huis contract with them.   No more Bakkies - who else?

 The way things are going now don't be surprise to hear HM call up Prof. Johan Classens.