Youth development in springbok team and selections

The previous match vs Scotland clearly indicated that younger players deserved a chance to prove themselves that they can perform at a higher level and they did just that. De Jager, Marcell Coetzee, Serfontein and Pollard played superb rugby. De Jager undoubtedly stood out the most and really should've start in the other 3 previous games. Due to Flip van der Merwe being selected vs wales showed De Jager wasn't the real option at the time which was a problem. It is beyond me that Flip van der Merwe was selected in the first place, he was sent off for tackling a player in the air which left the team outnumbered and almost cost them the game vs wales, I can also recall him deliberately punching Paddy Ryan that got him suspended for 3 weeks in the super 15. I hope De Jager gets more opportunities than Flip van der Merwe, De Jager and Etzebeth is the real lock combination which will be great in the future.


One of the frequently asked questions so far was "Are the young players going to be selected in the Rugby Championship and can they continue playing as well against the all blacks?" My initial answer to that question is yes the y can play as well against the nz all blacks, the problem that is placed in the minds of the springboks coaching management is that experience is more important than international youth development, so based from that mindset i don't believe they will start against the all blacks but may get little game time. The logical option that i would suggest is to put older players such as Matfeild, Bakkies and Burger on the bench and the young players starting because theres no doubt that they are past their prime and not as good as they were 7 years ago. The Springbok coaches tend to only realise the faults in the team after world cup loses, I've always stated its about realising the problematic faults before the world cup, that's the most important. Its disappointing because i can already see the faults. If in fact some aspects of play in the team are changed and more young players get the more opportunities it would be more better team overall and definitely a better chance of winning the world cup 2015.

Jerome, we have greater depth in youthful talent than ever before - but sadly we have an ignorant conservative coach who has decided to invest in a bunch of geriatrics and is stupid enough to think that these old farts will win us the RC and WC next year.

The likes of Matfield, Bakkies and Schalk should not be anywhere near the squad given the fact that we have far better youngsters

Sadly, there was no youthful development in the Bok side - clueless Meyer was forced to play the younger players given his hand was forced with the non availability of foreign based players.

The fact that the young players showed the old farts up will not have registered with our esteemed coach  

Sun-Tzu
You are wrong, its not only Willie Le Roux, Lood, Pollard, Duane and Eben that look part like you stated. If you analysis correctly you'd find that there are other young players that have proven themselves also, Serfontein and Marcell Coetzee for example, Were those kids a let down like you say? No they were not and Meyer didn't go looking for the older players because the younger players were a let down like you stated, basically its because its only the experience of the older players and the captaincy abilities that they have which is why they were selected into the team, its not the let down of the youth. Thats the truth. You are way off the mark here.  

"Let me tell you. Had you been in Meyer's shoes, you would have relied on Morne as well. Had you done anything else, the chances are probably 99% that you would have stuffed up."

SafeSex would never admit that though.... ever

But if his career as a coach were on the line, he would have done exactly the same.

He is just too arrogant, egotistical or ignorant to admit it 

Damn right Vlag....this petulant thing where fans wont support the team because they don't agree with the selections amounts to throwing toys out of the cot. And the statements that are made without support are a bit of a joke. So now Coetzee has proven himself? How? As what?

Look at his stats against the very weak Scots....a team that would not make the top 6 in the S15. Calling this a "higher level" is inaccurate:

 He ran 14 times for 26 metes. In those 14 runs he managed two offloads....but coughed up the ball twice....and beat only one tackle. That's effective running?

The tackling stats are good, but deceptive....a bunch of routine phase tackles.

So what has changed in this player's game since he had to be replaced by Louw two seasons ago? The answer....nothing. He is the same effort player, who can't really carry the ball because he cant break tackles.....and he is all but useless at fetching.....Bismarck and Vermeulen are much better. So what is he? An opensider or a blindsider or neither?

Jerome, we think alike. The investment in washed up has beens is pathetic on every level.

Firstly these old players are well passed their prime and our ignorant coach is too stupid to realise this. Its clear for all to see that players like Steenkamp, Bakkies, Matfield, Pienaar and Fourie are shadows of their former selves. Does this fool honestly believe that these players are still up to test rugby and good enough to challenge the top side who have players in their prime representing them.

Secondly, what message does it send out to our younger players that washed up has beens have been recalled at their expense - I tell you what the consequences are......young players are leaving disillusioned with the Bok set-up. In the last few weeks we have lost quality youngsters like Sadie, v/d Walt, Willemse, Peet Marais, Bresler  and Herbst to overseas clubs.

How anyone can find favour in the way Meyer is directing our Boks is beyond me. It will be interesting to see what this ignorant fool does after his side of geriatrics lose all their tests to Oz and NZ in a few months time. Poor old Meyer will be beside himself and the majority of the supporters will be saying we told you so

Devil twat, don't insult me by saying that I would have relied on Morne. One certainty is that Morne would not have smelt a Bok squad of 60 under me.

I could never select such an ordinary rugby player who happens to have a good boot - would be impossible.  

Geez talk about narrow minded and conservative. How the hell could any rugby follower conclude that Morne is the incumbent until someone better comes along? Fuck me!!

Equally how on earth do you conclude that Goosen has been tried with limited success - what utter rubbish.

It does not take a rugby follower to conclude that with extended runs any of Goosen, Boshoff, Pollard and Lambie would be far better options than Morne - its purely down to rugby ability.......most 10's out there are just better rugby players than Morne is......if you cant see that you must be thick.

This quote sums it up....

'Morne, from first receiver, cannot attack the advantage line with speed and guile, as was witnessed last Saturday when Handre Pollard created a try from a line out.

Immediately after the try was scored I asked myself if we would have scored if it was Morne instead of Pollard. The answer is a resounding no. Morne is too slow and stands too deep for an international first-five.. surely by now Meyer must realise Morne will never win a game against the All Blacks in a Springboks jumper, unless it’s behind a Sony Playstation'

Sadly there is very little our conservative coach does realise