In form: Juan de Jongh
Related links
Teams
Also see
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has hinted that centre Juan de Jongh is set to start Saturday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Meyer indicated that although he views full-back to be Jaco Taute's best position, he was contemplating playing him and De Jongh in the midfield in order to give skipper Jean de Villiers a break.
De Jongh's omission from the starting XV for the Test against Ireland raised some eyebrows as he was the star of Western Province's win over the Sharks in the Currie Cup final in Durban last month.
But Meyer admitted that he was likely to be in the run-on side this weekend.
"I definitely want to give Juan a chance, the reason I left him out last week was just because I wanted to keep changes to a minimum from the perspective of what we needed on defence," Meyer told Supersport
"I haven't made up my mind completely about this yet, and I still need to talk to a few people, but I would like to institute a rotation policy in the midfield.
"I thought Jaco Taute played his best test so far against Ireland, so it is a case of whether we play Jaco and Juan together in the midfield, or whether we pair up Juan with Jean."
Meyer confirmed that De Villiers could not be in action against Scotland.
"I am thinking of giving Jean a rest this week as he has been struggling a bit with that hamstring injury that has been bothering him recently," he said.
"I still believe full-back is Jaco's best position, and would love to play him there now, but I don't want to make too many changes for the Scotland game.
"I think we should be looking to build momentum, and we did not play well last time out against Ireland. I have a lot of respect for Scotland."
Comments
Zandberg says...
Heinke van der Merwe and Pat Cilliers did really well I thought when they came on - both in the scrum and in the tight loose. Heinke will know the Scottish and English props well and should start the next two games. Brits should also come on for the last 30 minutes. Agree with everyone about Zane and Hougaard. Get Mvovo on the wing and Taute on fullback.
Posted 23:01 13th November 2012
boksmashoffice says...
There should be only on way that De Jongh plays. that is outside De Villiers with Taute moving to full back. Kirchner must have some dirt on HM that he is being kept in the team. He as simply awful on sat. Anyone who says he did the basics must have been watching a different game. Lambie has to be given all the tour at 10. Rhule should be on the bench alone with Janjites, Morne has been a great servant but ahs to move on. I would take Hougaard off the wing and put Mvovo or Rhule. Well thats my opinion for whats it worth.
Posted 22:32 13th November 2012
NHsaints says...
Personally it seems a no brainer to drop Kirschner who doesn't even come close to being as good as any of the Northern Fullbacks then move Taute to 15 and put Juan at 13 and keep lambie at 10 till goosen gets back from injury...SA should have some real selection depth in the backline for all positions when Goosen returns from injury and Le Roux has a look in.
Posted 18:28 13th November 2012
luv2h8 says...
Pienaar, Jantjies, Mvovo, JdV, De Jongh, Pietersen and Taute.
Posted 17:39 13th November 2012
JayStarr says...
If Juan de Jongh is playing and the field is dry, he WILL score or create a try against Scotland. Mark my words.
I just hope they play him outside JdV, because he has never played with Pat Lambie or Jaco Taute... Lambie, JdV, De Jongh, Pietersen will be the smoothest line-up.
Posted 17:01 13th November 2012
zambokke says...
I also hope that the ref is more lenient to our front row against Scotland. If I remember correctly, Scotland relied on kicking penalties given against Jannie at the scrum - basically, the very short Scottish prop did not engage causing Jannie to overbalance/over-reach; the height of the Scottish prop probably cost us the game.
Posted 16:07 13th November 2012
dylbull says...
My starting XV: 1. CJ Vd Linde (would have preferred Beast or Steenkamp) 2. Strauss 3. Du Plessis 4. Etzebeth 5. Kruger 6. Louw 7. Coetzee 8. Vermeulen 9. Pienaar 10. Lambie 11. Ruhle 12. De Villiers 13. De Jong 14. Pieterson 15. Taute
Hougaard, Alberts and Britz to come on as impact players would be awesome
Posted 16:03 13th November 2012
zambokke says...
Its a shame that he couldn't play De Villiers and De Jongh at centres and move Taute to 15 or M.Steyn to 10 and Lambie to 15 - I guess that what I'm trying to say is get Kirchner out of the way as he is a liability at this level and anyone at 15 is preferable. He gave away far too much against Ireland and did nothing creative. Scotland are far better than they looked against the ABs. Fast recycled ball and constant attack by the best team in the world was their undoing; this touring Springbok side do not have the same flair or skill and if we revert to a power game like in 2010 we could lose again. Come on guys, have faith in yourselves and attack!!! If Lambie doesn't perform at 10 in this game, we should use Morne at Twickenham. It would also be good to see Strauss get a rest and let Brits have some game time, as I bet that they will both play a big part at Twickenham.
Posted 16:03 13th November 2012
darthbok says...
scotland play a defensive game - so the best attackers should be selected by SA -- no kicking , just relentless waves of attack , spearheaded by hard fast `loosies ` and finished off by the backs -- take a leaf out of france`s book and go on the rampage,-- a defensive kicking game just plays into scottish hands -- cut loose you inglorious basterds !
Posted 14:20 13th November 2012
rugbyphile says...
De Jongh should start--JdeV should rest. Hougaard must surely go for Mvovo---or anyone--his defence has become shocking and he constantly gets handed off, he chases no kicks and he is all over the place on attack. Adriaan Strauss was clearly leading the forwards well in the second half when they fired up a little and he should be the captain- at least til du Plessis comes back. Must say I am looking forward to seeing Tim Visser again--he is a rare talent.
Posted 13:59 13th November 2012
melkdave says...
About time imo,and i hope Juante is at FB aswell.Lambie really has to impress in this match in the 1st half i believe ,otherwise i can see M.Styen comming on for the 2nd half ,and starting for the rest of the tour.That imo would be a step backwards im afraid.
Posted 13:20 13th November 2012