Meyer realises development goal Heyneke Meyer should be lauded for the balance hes struck between winning Test matches and developing the next tier of players, writes JON CARDINELLI in Paris. South African rugby supporters will never be satisfied. Every team selection is followed by the inevitable lament of Shoulda picked more youngsters. Theres not enough analysis with regard to the pecking order in each position and not enough acknowledgment for the number of youngsters who have already come into the system. I tackled this subject in the build-up to the Boks second Test against Scotland in June. For some reason, Meyer was put under pressure by various media and public sectors to pick an entirely new team for the clash in Nelspruit. NOT ENOUGH NEW BLOOD Meyer had already signalled his intent by backing the raw potential of Willie le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, Arno Botha and Jan Serfontein in the match against Italy. The Bok coach had also included a number of second-choice players in that starting line-up and at that stage even a senior member of the team like Adriaan Strauss was still short of the 25-cap mark. Even when Meyer went a step further to pick another uncapped player in Siya Kolisi among the reserves for the game against Scotland, it wasnt good enough. At the team announcement, Meyer went through the list of names and the corresponding number of caps, satisfied that he had made his point. This went over the heads of some reporters, and one even proceeded to blurt: Heyneke, you must feel disappointed that you havent given more youngsters a run in this series. The colour drained from Meyers face, and while he attempted to answer the question as diplomatically as possible, his exasperation was patent. Win or lose, South African supporters want to see a whole new team playing for the Boks the following Saturday. Why? Ive received a number of messages and e-mails over the past two weeks from fans who feel that Meyer should be backing more youngsters. If the comments on social media are anything to go by, this is a view shared by more than just a few. The Boks have won nine of their 11 Tests this season and I would expect them to add a 10th in Paris this Saturday. If the Boks do succeed in ending a 16-year losing streak on French soil, it would cap a year thats witnessed a dramatic improvement. The Boks will finish with a winning record in excess of 80%, and Meyer will have succeeded in developing a wider pool of players with a view to the 2015 World Cup. DU TOITS TIME WILL COME The biggest complaint coming out of South Africa has been Meyers management of Pieter-Steph du Toit. Many feel that Meyer has missed a trick by not giving Du Toit at least one start at No 5 on this tour. However, if you consider where Du Toit is at this stage of his development – many forget that he specialised at flank just two years ago and has played only a few games at lock for the Sharks in Super Rugby – two opportunities from the bench in his first series for South Africa is a good start. Meyer has had to balance the need to develop players like Du Toit with the drive to win Test matches. The lineout is a vital part of the Boks game plan, and at present Du Toit is still not up to that responsibility of calling the plays. Flip van der Merwe has been praised for his contributions, but he is a solid rather than outstanding option. If Victor Matfield can regain his previous form and fitness in 2014, he will become a strong contender for the No 5 position, perhaps even for the World Cup. But theres little doubt that in the long-term, Du Toit will rise to the task. Meyer has managed Kolisi and Marcell Coetzee in much the same manner. Like Du Toit, neither player is at the point of their development where they can be considered a like-for-like replacement for openside flank Francois Louw. Their education is ongoing. Its worth remembering that the Bok pack will be boosted by the return of players like Arno Botha, Schalk Burger, and Pierre Spies in 2014. The backline will see Frans Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Jaco Taute and, most significantly, Johan Goosen rejoining the fray. Goosen returned from injury towards the end of the 2013 Currie Cup, and was selected for the current tour to Europe. However, my understanding is that the young flyhalf overexerted himself upon his return to the domestic competition and has failed to recover sufficiently from a knee ailment to be considered for matches against Scotland and France. Goosen will be back in 2014 and will push Morné Steyn for that No 10 jersey. Frans Steyn gives Meyer another experienced centre, or even a fullback option. It shouldnt be a concern that Serfontein and Engelbrecht have received so little game time on this tour to Europe. Meyer has had to consider the issue of synergy in the back division, and how players like JP Pietersen and Jaque Fourie fit into the systems. Theyve needed time to settle after lengthy spells away from Test rugby. That combination has grown stronger over the course of the past two weeks. I wouldnt be surprised if the Bok backline produces its most convincing performance of the tour against France this Saturday, or if a very similar formation starts at the 2015 World Cup. The Boks are on the verge of completing an encouraging season with regards to results as well as the improvements in their game. And in terms of their depth, Meyer should feel satisfied that the player pool is far wider now than it was at the start of 2013.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 08:26:12 +0000
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