Springboks will be full strength
By AP, 2 Oct 2009 AP is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Peter de Villiers, Rugby Union, Springboks
Coach Peter de Villiers says South Africa will be at full strength for their European rugby tour in a month.
Nobody will be rested for the five-match trip to England, France, Italy and Ireland, and the 37-man squad will be picked on merit, he added.
“At this moment, we are not looking to rest anyone,” De Villiers said on Wednesday.
A day after Springboks and Blue Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle was told to rest for two weeks with a broken foot, De Villiers said there were no serious injuries marking the squad for now, as the Currie Cup still had a month to go.
The cup had two rounds left before the semifinals, with the final set for October 31, after which the squad will be announced.
The new Tri-Nations champions will play English club champions Leicester on November 5, France on November 14, Saracens on November 17, Italy on November 21, and finish with Ireland on November 28.
De Villiers said the Test team will not travel around Britain for the two club matches, but the 22 involved in those fixtures will be playing for the chance to break into the Test side.
Asked whether he might concede to possible external pressure to include more black players, De Villiers said the squad will be chosen only on merit.
“Players want to be judged by their ability and not their colour,” he said. “If a guy knows he’s there for the colour of his skin, he won’t die for his country.
“We are proud South Africans who want to be judged by our ability.”
He said he was looking forward to what he called “an old-fashioned tour”.
“The Boks are only playing at 75 per cent of their ability,’ he said. “From now on they will aim to put in that killer blow which could’ve sunk their opponents in their previous matches.”
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funmaster said | October 2nd 2009 @ 4:59am | Report comment
Thank god! Ive always said it doesnt matter if the team was 100% black or white, as long as it was chosen on 100% merit. Thou transformation in the national team should be applied, i think the right steps should be taken and the quota-system devalues our jersey. African players like all players should be nurtured from grass root levels and be introduced through the proper channels to make the national team. Thou i also believe that every player of colour in the current squad fully deserves to be in the team, i still cant help but to think (like many others) that the boks, for far too long havent been at their maximum. Lets hope PDVivvy isnt all talk but no beard.
MM said | October 2nd 2009 @ 7:29am | Report comment
Boks coach – DIV is outstanding!!
It takes guts to stand up to the big shots by making it clear his team will be selected on merit – not the quota systems – GREAT!!
Quoting DIV: “Players want to be judged by their ability and not their colour,” he said. “If a guy knows he’s there for the colour of his skin, he won’t die for his country.
“We are proud South Africans who want to be judged by our ability.”
Far too often, DIV was criticised simply because he drew parables of truth, leaving the opposing side thinking more deeply – and even more so when he was upfront and honest – not denying reality.
DIV’s reality based statements and supporting his team at all costs made him not only a coach, but an awesome motivator and participant of his team to an unusually high degree.
Digressed there – but not sorry – worthwhile mentioning!
To pothale – a relief that he’s traveling the Boks first team – hopefully “politics” won’t stand in the way of his selection….
A slight headache with De Villiers being part of the opposition – that may make a huge difference – who can tell re: tips.
The irony is not lost PH, but I’m not going there.
pothale said | October 2nd 2009 @ 5:11am | Report comment
This is good news – the Boks travelling with their first team. Let’s hope that they make more than one appearance. Will Jean de Villiers give his Munster team-mates any useful tips, I wonder?
MM said | October 3rd 2009 @ 12:56am | Report comment
Although the statement’s been made pothale, rumours a little too strong for the liking are that DIV may well send an experimental team. It was then later stated that although he’s sending the first & full team, he will be putting underlings on to gauge their performance.
Suppose that has to be done as well, or else when do they get a chance? Is there ever a right time? Seems like anything could happen and viewers may see all sorts….
pothale said | October 2nd 2009 @ 8:04am | Report comment
I doubt it very much that de Villers will give away any tips on P de Villiers and his crew.
Not sure what irony there was, MM, but since you’re not going there, at least I won’t have to find you when you get lost or even stay where you are without leaving, if you know I mean to say by my meaning.
MM said | October 3rd 2009 @ 12:43am | Report comment
Enjoyed that pothale…..
Matt said | October 2nd 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
The Wallabies are looking to be at full strength as well. Recent articles are citing Dunning and Sharpe as close to a return. If only we could get Baxter on the pitch ……
Lee said | October 2nd 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Bringing Dunning into a rugby team and then refering to them as close to full strength….Aussie depth is low
QC said | October 2nd 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
It will be interesting to see how they go for sure. I’m not convinced the Boks can get that much better as PDV insinuates but hey you never know. I look forward to the day that the ABs have a full strength side to play with consistantly. This year has been a total shambles for them and with every test the team has changed due to injuries. Look at the team that played France in the first test and compare it to the team who played the Wallabies in Wellington they were markedly different.
Knives Out said | October 2nd 2009 @ 10:43pm | Report comment
‘Look at the team that played France in the first test and compare it to the team who played the Wallabies in Wellington they were markedly different.’
Piffle. That’s completely untrue:
http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/teamsheet.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&MT_ID=2167
Further, I’m sure most test teams look forward to the day they can play their first xv. That France side was missing various significant figures: Nallet, Bonnaire, Harinordoquy, Parra, Elissalde, Michalak, Rougerie etc
MM said | October 3rd 2009 @ 12:49am | Report comment
I’d agree with QC, Knives out.
They weren’t the first or last team to play without players they would have preferred, key players etc. It’s one of those things many have to face.
There was a huge and combined step-up on the part of the All Blacks in Wellington.
Before you dissect me or my post – much the same thing – Knives…. it’s just my humble opinion – OK?
Knives Out said | October 3rd 2009 @ 1:19am | Report comment
You are agreeing with what I agreed with, that all teams would like to have their best 22 available. Neither France nor NZ did. However, QC’s claim that the NZ v France 1st team was ‘markedly’ different from the team that played Australia recently is staggeringly incorrect.
MM said | October 3rd 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Okay Knives – if that was the case, what is the supporting, substantive evidence – not what journalists wrote etc? I’m interested to know.
Perhaps “markedly” different is a strong statement, but there are stages and stages – is the comparison a fair one given all influencing factors prevalent w.r.t. both games?
They’re in my opinion not close to peaking yet either – but when they do – they do it brilliantly.
Knives Out said | October 3rd 2009 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Why are you being contrary? QC did not mention the advancement in team spirit, the progression of team continuity etc. He simply said that that the two NZ xv’s were markedly different. The substantive evidence is in my original response. Did you not bother to actually investigate the link?
QC said | October 4th 2009 @ 5:50pm | Report comment
Knives
Its pretty easy to understand really this team was nowhere near the same and you are absolutely full of it cherry picking things to best suit your argument. Completely ignoring the fact that not at any stage this year have we seen the top 22 that New Zealand would most likely put to the field should all players have been available.
You continually try to garner more from the French victory than what was there to take and I’ve come to expect that from you.
None can dare challenge the Northern teams nor can one allude to the fact that the ABs were missing nearly half there first choice 22 in that first test and still had a huge portion missing come the first Tri-Nations.
But as is common with this forum you like to think that you know everything and that onl;y your opinion is valid and you I’m sure you actually believe you are the only person who knows anything about rugby. Ther fact that New Zealand has had an awful year with injury has impacted greatly on the team dynamics and only an ignorant fool would say it hasn’t.
But like I said I don’t believe the Boks can get that much better but I do believe the ABs and Wallabies can get alot better. This years ABs is one of the worst I have seen in my lifetime but how would I know I’m only a Kiwi who follows my national team.
Knives Out said | October 4th 2009 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/teamsheet.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&MT_ID=2167
You made an incorrect comment and you have been found out. I have generally been very supportive of NZ rugby this season so your insular narrow attitude is as incorrect as your original statement about the composition of the teams. However, I have come to expect no less from you.
It would be nice if just for once you would stop being so excessively melodramatic and generally offensive.
QC said | October 5th 2009 @ 7:00am | Report comment
Found out fark you talk some utter rubbish champ.
Maybe you should stop trying to be the roars policeman and accept that you are not right this time.
That first team was very different from the last team but thats right its the ABs isn’t it knives they aren’t allowed to have injuries are they
Knives Out said | October 5th 2009 @ 7:39am | Report comment
Maybe you should stop being such a spiteful, bitter and hostile internet fascist who spends his free time being overtly offensive to people. All you do is repeat the same drivel ad infinitum: “Strewth mate, NZ were missing so many players against France…” “Yeah SA beat NZ this 3N but how much better can they get? You’ve got a lot of trophies to win before you catch us!” Yes, NZ were missing players, but so were France, and as aforementioned I was supportive of NZ before and after that game, so stop offering the same old guff that I have some form of anti-NZ agenda. All it does is serve to highlight your overwhelming ignorance in this matter. Just in case you struggle with internet links here is some help:
France … Australia
1.Woodcock … Woodcock
2. Hore … Hore
3. Tialata … Tialata
4. Thorn … Thorn
5. Ross …. Donnelly
6. Read … Thomson
7. Thomson … McCaw
8. Messam …. Read
9. Cowan … Cowan
10. Donald … Carter
11. Jane … Jane
12. Nonu …. Nonu
13. Toeava … Toeava
14. Rokocoko …. Rokocoko
15. Muliaina … Muliaina
Now… my limited intellectual capacity has recognised 12 of the same names. No other NZ 3N selection has more players utilised from the 1st test versus France than the 33-6 game, so as usual you are totally and completely incorrect to assert:
‘Look at the team that played France in the first test and compare it to the team who played the Wallabies in Wellington they were markedly different.’
You are wrong. Why would you deny it? How could you deny it? I suggest that you retract your hostilities and apologise to me.
QC said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
Knives can your simpler intellect not read. I said match day 22
I suggest you stop trying to tell me what to do and get a grip on your own hostilities
the last thing I will do is apologise to an arrogant foo like you whop once again has clearly missed the point.
Or is it that reserves don’t count now?????
Oh that s right Knives keep making up rules to suit your own argument.
The fact that the ABs were changing every week is another thing you want to gloss over, but like I said I’ve come to expect rubbish like that from you.
Knives Out said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
‘Look at the team that played France in the first test and compare it to the team who played the Wallabies in Wellington they were markedly different.’
You did not say match day 22.
‘The fact that the ABs were changing every week is another thing you want to gloss over, but like I said I’ve come to expect rubbish like that from you.’
That is an ignorant lie and something that I have persistently redressed but obviously you choose to ignore the facts, much like you choose to ignore the fact that France was missing a host of players. Rudeness and hypocrisy – what a flavour combination.
I suggest you retract your hostility and apologise for your rudeness and misleading statements.
Ben J said | October 2nd 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
Go figure that Peter de Villiers is the voice of reason in South African rugby but this has been coming for a while now. The whole mood in SA Rugby changed the day when Oregan Hoskins took over the presidency, a very intelligent man that understood that SA can only be a powerhouse in world rugby if the best players, black or white are chosen consistently. Jake White established a very strong team ethos and from results it seems that PdV is taking it to a higher level.
MM said | October 3rd 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Too true Ben – It is the fact that many expected DIV to fail which he very obviously hasn’t that is the pivotal factor in his favour in the eyes of fans and the rugby world. Good for him – he’s had his own deep waters to go through albeit he unfailingly maintains his pearls of humour / parables and the like which has actually drawn a lot of fans – it’s said they now look forward to these – interesting.
MM said | October 3rd 2009 @ 8:50am | Report comment
Knives,
QC didn’t mention the advancement, continuity etc – I brought it up, later on suggesting the potential influences possibly impacting on the games. Yes, obviously I checked the link Knives – those are end results and substantive thanks a lot.
Let’s just say I think advancement and stages ans well as circumstances can affect the outcome albeit marginally – which makes sense in that apples are being compared with apples. It’s easy and clinical to make a statement based on figures only.
Maybe contrary to you Knives Out – but it is mitigating and not meant to be contrary.
Knives Out said | October 3rd 2009 @ 8:18pm | Report comment
Ignore me. I was tired.
MM said | October 4th 2009 @ 5:15am | Report comment
Makes two of us Knives – go well.
allblackfan said | October 4th 2009 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
The difference in the ABs between the first game and the last was attitude (ie mongrel).
They had it in the last game; not in the first.
Question marks still hover over the Boks because of their reliance on kicking.
And for all you NH fans who think there’s nothing wrong with the current laws, wait until you see the Boks kick penalty goals from 60m out!
How much of a game will you be able to enjoy when the Boks are able to kick points from their own 10m mark!!
Knives Out said | October 4th 2009 @ 10:55pm | Report comment
‘The difference in the ABs between the first game and the last was attitude (ie mongrel).
They had it in the last game; not in the first.’
That goes without saying but is irrelevant when referring to the actual composition of the teams which were very similar.
‘And for all you NH fans who think there’s nothing wrong with the current laws, wait until you see the Boks kick penalty goals from 60m out!’
I’ll wait until I see it happen in more than one match before supping some knee-jerk soup.
MM said | October 5th 2009 @ 5:08am | Report comment
Knives – your reply to QC re: All Blacks doesn’t gel simply because you were “tired” when mitigating circumstances were put forward.
QC – What do you gain from launching personal attacks??? There’s no need to climb into any person’s character which is what you’ve done. Knives has been very accommodating and consistent regarding New Zealand – so why get pompous?
Knives, you really seem to have it in for the Boks eh? They may or may not perform well during the NH tour, but it’s merely a tour on the calendar – not a test – watching them closely, either way, I don’t think they’ll have a sweat about outcomes – they retain the penchant to concentrate on bigger issues – like why risk key players for longer than very short times in the Brisbane match? They’d clinched the title – it was rather their aim to preserve injured key players to take the victory in New Zealand.
Few in the NH like the Boks, because the Boks as part of a SH team pose huge threat – as do other SH teams.
The Boks have brought home all the silverware as well as breaking long outstanding records – so there’s little merit deflective statements. Skipper Smit isn’t the most world capped for zero. Facts speak for themselves. Matfield and Botha – useless? The Boks possess some of the best key players world-wide.
Knives – I think you need to stop only looking at base-line figures – but at the big picture.
It say much for any of us to do our own justice to continually out and defray any world team to the extent it’s being done, and unfortunately, on some occasions, with bias. I am an All Blacks supporter – and if I can be objective – so should a talented man like you.
Knives Out said | October 5th 2009 @ 7:51pm | Report comment
‘Knives, you really seem to have it in for the Boks eh? They may or may not perform well during the NH tour, but it’s merely a tour on the calendar – not a test – watching them closely, either way, I don’t think they’ll have a sweat about outcomes – they retain the penchant to concentrate on bigger issues – like why risk key players for longer than very short times in the Brisbane match? They’d clinched the title – it was rather their aim to preserve injured key players to take the victory in New Zealand.’
I’m going to have to stop you there, MM. I don’t dislike the Boks. This comment, ‘ “Yeah SA beat NZ this 3N but how much better can they get? You’ve got a lot of trophies to win before you catch us!” ‘ was an attempt to highlight QC’s disingenuous, anti-SA agenda – much like his France bashing – that has shone through on so many different threads. I presume you are referring to that comment because I haven’t mentioned SA anywhere else. Are you?
QC said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
Knives Piss off mate and stop making up utter bloody bullshit. You wonder why I get personal and its clearly because of arrogant twisting of posts like this.
So now i’m french bashing and SA bashing white aflippin joke.
Don’t try taking heat of yourself by insinuating utter bullshit about me!
MM said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
Pity Knives isn’t alone in his opinion QC
Ben J said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:22pm | Report comment
You are a bit out of line QC, you do not have to swear, it says more about you than it does about Knives. The All Blacks played poor because they WERE poor and because the Boks played better. Stop making excuses, Knives took you on and you lost, deal with it.
MM said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
You’ve got a point Knives – it doesn’t pay to assume a person doesn’t like a team.
Re: the second part of your message, Knives, I neither highlighted the, “Yeah SA beat NZ…….” sentence and the remaining – I take it to mean QC was the one highlighting.
It’s an unfortunate opinion of mine, that QC is involved sporadically – he shouldn’t be so sure of himself whereas despite what is said, debates etc., at least you’re consistent Knives
QC said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:14pm | Report comment
Sporadic what a croc don’t try to denegrate me because I don’t hold the same view as yours.
Unlike some people in here I have a life and a career where I can’t sit all day with one hand on the keyboard and another hand…….
I think MM it is you who has only recently come about, because you will know mr Knives gets very confrontational when others disagree with his posts.
QC said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
Because I don’t kiss ass and blow your Northern Hemisphere up into some heavenly tournament, Because I believe the French win isn’t as good as it was with the ABs missing nearly half of their match day 22. Because in my opinion I believe the Boks were madwe to look better by the ineptness of the ABs and Wallabies this year. I’m bashing them am I?
It’s an opinion column Knives and thats all they are my opinions.
MM said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:19pm | Report comment
Regarding your post directly to mine,
I have been very confrontational at times with Knives Out – so do your homework with one hand on the keyboard for a living – pretty dull – MY OPINION.
Quit making excuses – the game was lost and that’s it. If you’re wanting a character invoking response further you’re not going to get it.
Knives Out said | October 5th 2009 @ 8:33pm | Report comment
‘Because I don’t kiss ass and blow your Northern Hemisphere up into some heavenly tournament’
Now you’re just being wild. The initial point was that you made an incorrect statement, something you still are yet to admit. Further, you show continued hypocrisy by constantly moaning about how the NZ team was missing players without acknowledging the absence of talisman French players. Ben J is correct. There is no need to swear. Like he says: stop making excuses for NZ. There is no anti-NZ conspiracy – you are the one dragging up a game that is months old. Move on.