“The Dream Team consists of the best players of the Varsity Cup and they also have several players who have played for the Junior Springboks in the past, so they will be familiar with our structures.”
The Junior Springboks to face the Varsity Cup Dream Team on Tuesday in Stellenbosch:
15. Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
14. Kanyo Ngcukana (DHL Western Province)
13. JT Jackson (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
12. Daniel du Plessis (DHL Western Province)
11. Leolin Zas (DHL Western Province)
10. Ernst Stapelberg (DHL Western Province)
9. Ivan van Zyl (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
8. Hanro Liebenberg (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
7. Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
6. CJ Velleman (EP Kings)
5. RG Snyman ((Vodacom Blue Bulls)
4. Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
3. Ruan Kramer (Cell C Sharks)
2. Joseph Dweba (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
1. Ox Nche (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Replacements:
16. Mzamo Majola (Cell C Sharks)
17. Jan van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
18. Frans van Wyk (DHL Western Province)
19. Jason Jenkins (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
20. Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
21. Marco Janse van Vuuren (Xerox Golden Lions)
22. Brandon Thomson (DHL Western Province)
23. Grant Hermanus (DHL Western Province)
Baby Boks:
Tries – Daniel du Plessis (1), Jan van der Merwe (1), Penalty Try (1)
Conversions – Ernst Stapelberg (1), Brandon Thompson (1)
Penalties – Ernst Stapelberg (2), Brandon Thompson (2)
Varsity Cup Dream Team:
Tries – Penalty Try (1), Rhyno Smith (1), Dillon Smit (1), Elandre Hugget (1)
Conversions – Innocent Radebe (1), Rhyno Smith (1)
Davie se pak voorspelers in die tweede helfde het baie beter gevaar en was baie swaar pak gewees, die tweeling het mekaar goed aangevul en altwee sal my twee kantmanne wees in die pak. Davie sal net moet werk met RG die koerante skryf die man baie hoog aan maar het geen goeie wedstryd beleef nie en alhoewel hy n sekere keuse gaan wees sal hy sy spel drasties moet optel. Met twee senters in die span sal ek my verstout om te se dit is die beste senterpaar in junior rugby die afgelope 10 jaar. Ek dink Davie behoort rustig te slaap.
@vatikaki: Ek dink Burger Odendaal sal goed kombineer met Jan Serfontein op senter. Sal graag die kombinasie wil sien met JJ dan as impakspeler.
Duhan, Jesse en Warrick vorm dan “outside backs”
Paige en Handre is ‘n goeie skakelpaar.
Neem net in ag, nou is ek kleurblind!
@Nemo: Never made a comment on Liebenberg. Thought he had a good game. Maybe even our best forward.
@Nemo: I have indeed, I have a keen interest in young number 8’s in this Country
Yes, Liebenberg does play a different role, but what I am saying, if Dawie feels that an 8 must hang around the back and not get involved, well then, what is the 8 meant to do?
Liebenberg impressed me during the season last year, initially, i was not such a fan.
If a coach wants an 8 hanging back for counter attack purposes, fair enough. But to not get involved?
I watched this years trials and last years and it was evident that you may indeed be correct – last year, the best performing 8 i saw was Jano Venter, he made Aidon Davis look average. Jano was all over the field causing havoc, while Davis did nothing! He was playing in a wings position and not looking for work – the question is, where is Davis now?
At this years trials, Ayron Schramm was excellent, very destructive and flamboyant with ball in hand – does this mean he deserved to make the squad, not necassarily – but based on what you have said, it makes sense that an 8 who likes ball carries not be considered – but I really do not understand that.
Jaco Coetzee was also a good ball carrier who wanted to get involved – does this now mean he will not make it next year? Because he wants to get involved too much?
It really makes no sense to me – maybe you can explain Dawies thoughts on how this helps a team win games?
RBugger, have you watched Liebenberg playing at the Bulls vs Tuesday? I am not critisising the player, just saying it is a different approach. I spoke to ex SA u20 players attending the game and they confirmed that it has always been Dawie’s structure. Many of the players are struggling to get used to it as it differs from what they are used to.
@CharlesZA: It was JL who started, Dan came off the bench – JL is a little heavy at the moment but has been having problems with his knees, so he needs a bit of fitness work, agree on that point.
@Nemo: an 8 who drifts and does not get involved? Are you serious – so tell me, what positive effect does that have on the game? That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. Not having a go at the player here, having a go at you or Dawie – makes me laugh that statement
CharlesZA, the structure that Dawie Theron enforces, is that the 7 is the ball carrier and workhorse. The 8 does not get involved and floats at the back. Dont criticise Liebenberg for seemingly having a lower workrate than du Preez. Both are excellent in the role that are expected of them (and this differs from the stucture that they are used to at their union).
@CharlesZA:
I edited JJ in afterwards.
Not because I thought him a future wing option for the Springboks, but because I deemed him a career option there for the Bulls – and to emphasise he needs to shift back there.
@RBugger: Didnt Dan start the game?
@CharlesZA: Agree too much!
@CharlesZA: u must be joking? Dan made a massive difference when he came on, his work rate is second to none. Look at Liebenberg, his work rate is no where near that of Dans
Really wish someone would get Dan du Preez to up his work rate. He has so much potential to be great but he goes missing at times during the game.
@vatikaki: Please dont put JJ and the word Springbok in same sentence/paragraph/post.
@Kempie Pa:
15. Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – Outeniqua
14. Kanyo Ngcukana (DHL Western Province) – Rondebosch
13. JT Jackson (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – Oakdale
12. Daniel du Plessis (DHL Western Province) – PRG
11. Leolin Zas (DHL Western Province) – Hermanus
10. Ernst Stapelberg (DHL Western Province) – Framesby
9. Ivan van Zyl (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – Affies
8. Hanro Liebenberg (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – HTS Drostdy
7. Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks) – Kearsney
6. CJ Velleman (EP Kings) – Grey PE
5. RG Snyman ((Vodacom Blue Bulls) – Affies
4. Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – St Albans
3. Ruan Kramer (Cell C Sharks) – GCB
2. Joseph Dweba (Toyota Free State Cheetahs) – Florida
1. Ox Nche (Toyota Free State Cheetahs) – HTS Louis Botha
Replacements:
16. Mzamo Majola (Cell C Sharks) – Westville
17. Jan van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – Pretoria BH
18. Frans van Wyk (DHL Western Province) – Monnas
19. Jason Jenkins (Vodacom Blue Bulls) – St Albans
20. Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks) – Kearsney
21. Marco Janse van Vuuren (Xerox Golden Lions) – Transvalia
22. Brandon Thomson (DHL Western Province) – Ermelo
23. Grant Hermanus (DHL Western Province) – Paarl Gim
@vatikaki:
Rudy Paige at 9 as a potential player of colour. He has been in brilliant form off late.
Wys asseblief van watter skole die twee spanne se spelers kom.
@beet:
Where’s muzi?
Gelant is brilliant. Didn’t see the game, but what I’ve seen of him 8)
Bulls could have a brilliant backline in a couple years.
9 ???
10 Handre Pollard
11 Duhan van der Merwe
12 Jan Serfontein
13 Jesse Kriel
14 JJ Engelbrecht
15 Warrick Gelant
That’s a potential Springbok backline if I ever saw one.
Do need a few more players of colour. Marvin Orie I assume will have first opportunity at the 5 jersey next year while Trevor Nyakane as a prop seems assured.
At least a tour to Argentina before the JWC should provide them with ample opportunities to improve their scrumming!
To me, Du Plessis was the most influencial player for the SA U20 side – he will be a Bok one day.
The pack had a hard time, but we must remember they were scrumming against older guys, which makes a difference.
They wil be fine come World Cup
@akw. I agree 100% about the scrums. Unfortunately, the strongest and technically most proficient tighthead (in my opinion) in the u/20 training group (Francois van der Merwe), had to withdraw from the squad due to a knee injury. Shifting a loosehead to tighthead is asking for trouble. The looseheads other than Thomas duToit, also do not appear to be great scrummagers. Daniel du Plessis also looked good after his long lay off.
Liebenberg was also great, Velleman a bit light when contesting the ball before a ruck is called. Gelant was brilliant.
I thought Warwick Gelant was brill and his combination with Hermanus worked really well. It’s a pity we don’t have the power of Duhan vd Merwe available for selection or a player like Henry Immelman who has plenty by way of skills and flair in the mix as well.
The Baby Boks scrum got destroyed on the tighthead side.