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South Africa
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- South Africa Fixtures
| Fixture | Details |
|---|---|
| All times are local | |
| International Match | |
| Saturday , June 8 | |
| South Africa vs Italy | 17:00 |
| More International Match fixtures | |
| Rugby Championship | |
| Saturday , August 17 | |
| South Africa vs Argentina | TBC |
| Saturday , August 24 | |
| Argentina vs South Africa | TBC |
| More Rugby Championship fixtures | |
- Table
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 26 |
| 2 | Australia | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | South Africa | 6 | 12 |
| 4 | Argentina | 6 | 4 |
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Comments
scot_rsa says...
Potential nightmare for the Boks at lineout time if Bekker isn't 100%. They've not only lost Matfield recently but also good lineout options in Juan and even Pierre. Add to that the loss of Bismarck and they'll need to put in plenty of practice if they want to win their own throws consistently. As for Habana they would certainly miss his skills but just put Hougaard out there and put Pienaar at 9. Wish both these guys well with recovery though.
Posted 20:59 21st August 2012
5Lock4ward says...
@JHRoberts, I tend to lean more toward your theory that it's based on the style of rugby the South Africans play. Because genetically speaking the components of his body would be in direct proportion to his size so his tissue is the same as everyone else. Consider the fact that Scotland's Richie Gray is also 6'10" tall and doesn't have the same issues w/ repeated injury.
Posted 20:17 21st August 2012
JHRoberts says...
I can't help but feel as though it's perhaps related to (a) South Africa's extremely physical style in the forwards and (b) Bekker's physical dimensions.
(a) If you look at the injury-prone loosies such as Burger, Smith and Brüssow, you realize that there are a bunch of other players (Marcel Coetzee, Siya Kolisi, even Jacques Potgeiter, etc) who, as fantastic as they are, wouldn't get a look in for the Springboks. Is it the style they play? Is it the increasing length of the season? Who knows?
(b) Those who follow basketball may remember Yao Ming, whose body fell apart, quite possibly due to its sheer size. I wonder if Bekker's various tissues are simply having trouble dealing with the strain of holding such an enormous frame together, though this most likely is not related to the recent rolled ankle, which is just bad luck.
Posted 13:50 21st August 2012
saffastormer says...
Narrow-minded logic Sharky
No player in the world can predict when they are going to be injured. Rolling an ankle is not something you plan - duh! Or should we tell him to not be so physical and committed so that he doesn't injure himself ?
Injuries are part of the game and all teams rely on depth in position to be able play week in week out with a fit team
Posted 12:32 21st August 2012
Sharkyzulu says...
Geez, Bekker must have the perfect job - he works one week and then has the next 6 off recovering, while getting paid (handsomely) throughout.
In all seriousness, this guy's injury problems are an issue. Either he should take some time off and sort himself out or he must be available every game. We cannot afford to have constant changing in the team, especially in the locks. Injuries are part and parcel of modern rugby but even I can spot the pattern with Bekker. He cannot be relied upon to play 80 minutes for 2 weeks running.
PS: My opening sentence is tongue-in-cheek for anyone to slow to catch;-)
Posted 09:06 21st August 2012