The Springboks take on Wales in the first of three November Internationals, hoping to end of the year in a high note. While it has been a good year for the Boks, with two losses against the All Blacks ruining an otherwise perfect record, they will want to end the year with another three wins.
Heyneke Meyer put together an interesting match 23, with many talking points, both on the inclusion of certain players, and the clear disregard for the selection of others.
Positively though, Meyer has seen the light in terms of playing Zane Kirchner, who is not in the match day 23 at all. Kirchner is a solid player but just doesn’t set the world alight like an Israel Folau or Israel Dagg does, and neither does his successor really.
Pat Lambie has been given the responsibility of taking the fifteen jersey, and while I am positive about young Lambie getting a start instead of sitting on the bench, I am still undecided whether fullback is the position for him. Lambie burst onto the scene as an attacking flyhalf, something not in overly supply in South Africa, but is forced to play second fiddle to Morne Steyn.
Even though Steyn has been in some great form this year, Lambie proved yet again in the bit of game time he got towards the business end of the Currie Cup, that he is one of the best in the business. Yes, his goal-kicking needs a bit of work, but he makes up for this with some superb interplay with his backs and defence that is second to none. It is perhaps this defence and link-play that sees Meyer opt to play him as the last line of defence.
Would I prefer to see Lambie at flyhalf? Yes. Do I like the fact that Mayer is trying Lambie in a Springbok team, as a starting player? Yes as well!
Meyer’s selection of the bench does give us a little peak into his thinking though, with no flyhalf reserve on the bench, but selecting Willie le Roux. I would think that it would allow Lambie to shift into the flyhalf spot in place of Steyn, while le Roux gets some running time from the back.
Keeping with the backline, Meyer has selected what is probably the best midfield combination, and not only in terms of experience, but just natural attacking flair. There are some concerns about Jacque Fourie’s fitness and ability to keep up with the game, but I would give him the benefit of the doubt in this case, and give him these three games to show he still has something to offer in International rugby.
There was plenty of press coverage about the recall of a certain Bakkies Botha, who made it into Meyer’s squad for the first time under his reign. Botha’s inclusion had me a little confused, but I was clear about what I expected from Meyer – that Botha should be there to teach the youngsters something and perhaps make an impact off the bench.
But instead, Flip van der Merwe is the bad guy, who takes his place in the second row next to Eben Etzebeth. There would have been much more of an outcry if Bakkies had started instead of giving the young Pieter-Steph du Toit a start, but critics are silent on this wasted opportunity and allowing a below average van der Merwe to rack up yet another Springbok cap.
Meyer opted to have the roof open at the Millennium Stadium in the hope that wet conditions will give the Springboks some game time in conditions that are similar to those during the World Cup in England.
This decision should fit in well with the game plan of the Boks, with plenty of kicking bound to be seen. It does however mean that we are unlikely to see the midfield in action, instead, they will required to just defend all game long.
Will the Springboks be able to get a win here? I think so. They have been is some great form during the year, we just need to see them playing at that level more consistently. I am excited to see this team in action in European conditions, and look forward to some good rugby and an even better result.
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