What does this mean for the Springbok number 15 jersey? Jantjes broke his leg on Saturday against the Chiefs and he will miss the rest of the Super 14 and the British and Irish Lions Tour. Conrad had virtually sealed his position as the Bok number 15 for the upcoming Lions Series but now that he will miss it, who is PdV going to turn to?
The obvious candidate is Frans Steyn. For me, I have always felt Frans is a much better fullback than he is a flyhalf or inside center. Now hopefully PdV will see that he only has Frans to fill in at the back and he will go with the guy for the Lions Series. He really does not have many options! Besides Steyn, PdV has Terblanche and Zane Kirchner. Terblanche has had his time and is way too old to be playing test rugby, but didn’t we say the same about Percy and look what he did. Who knows, PdV may be tempted to go with the Sharks fullback. As for Kirchner, he is untested at test level and throwing him in at such a big stage would be suicidal.
And to add more worry to the Boks, the first choice flyhalf, Ruan Pienaar is still not fully fit after his injury and if the Sharks may it all the way to the Super 14 final, Ruan will only have 4 competitive games to play in before the Lions series where he will be up against Stephen Jones or Ronan O’Gara.
Could all this now mean that Earl Rose is going to be a certainty in the match day 22 to cover both the flyhalf and fullback positions??
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8 comments
Guru says:
May 4, 2009
Ron, I can sense the “tounge in cheek” when you speak about Earl Rose….LOL, however, I certainly do agree with you regarding Frans Steyn. While I do not think he has the temperament and calmness to be in the starting XV, given the lack of depth at Fullback, PDV would have to have Steyn starting at Fullback. He certainly has the talent. However, I think it is pertinent for Terblanche to be included in the squad because Steyn might also get injured. I think a compliment of Steyn, Terblanche and Kirchner would not be so bad to have in the bok squad. But knowing PDV, Terblanche will be scratched and Sir Rose will be inlcuded.
Manny says:
May 4, 2009
The way I see it Steyn will play fullback and Rose will be back-up fly-half and fullback.
Now not only is the Lion hunting a Bok…its hunting an injured Bok!!
2-1 to Lions!!!!!!
Mozie says:
May 4, 2009
kirchner will be wearing 15 come match day.
Guru says:
May 4, 2009
Interesting times lay ahead. Does anyone know when the bok squad for the Lions series will be announced?
Ron says:
May 4, 2009
Have you guys every watched National Geographic or Discovery Channel when they show the Lion hunting down the springbok? I think come the Lions series that national geographic logo is going to turn into the Super Sport logo as we will be watching a magical piece of nature when the Lion takes out the bok!
I think the squad will only be announced after the Super 14 final! Oh my bad, i think it will be after the semi-finals as none of the SA teams will be in the final!!
Mozie says:
May 4, 2009
if my memory serves well, the springboks are playing Namibia on the 29th May. which is a day before the s14 final. the team should be announced well before the final then. it will obviously exclude bulls players who will be playing the next day in da last s14 final ever
Guru says:
May 5, 2009
Ron, if you are using the National Geographic as the analogy can you imagine what will happen to the poor Kiwi when that same Bok TRAMPLES all over it? I mean really, the battle will only be between the Wallaby and the Bok, but then again, the Bok has 4 limbs to fight with, the Wallaby only has 2.
Anyway, back to business, Now i hear Steyn in also injured and that’s a scare. Okay, I am begginning to feel uneasy now. But then again we stil have Terblanche and Kirchner, oh gosh, is it not just a blessing to have such talent in abundance?
Manny says:
May 5, 2009
LOL!!!if Kirchner/Rose/Teyablanche start at 15 for the Boks..it is truly over! There are certain positions in rugby where you can hide…e.g.wing..but fullback is not one of them. Those 3 will definitely be exposed, especially over 240 minutes of intense rugby!!!!
This is great news for the Lions!