Comments on: Who can fill the boots of Francois Steyn?

By: Blades

Blades — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:20:28 +0000

Where he plays, It does not actually.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:05:49 +0000

I have been impressed by Pieterson every time I’ve seen him (which isn’t much). He reminded me a little of Brent Russell. Conversely, I think that Kirchner is prone to errors, lacks concentration and is generally erratic.

By: Robbo

Robbo — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:46:25 +0000

Well we can agree to disagree one this one:
I’d say Hayne is a better player but Slater is a better Fullback.

Back on topic:
Thanks Roarers for mentioning Terblance, I had completely forgot about him! I’d have him on the bench at very least.

By: Robbo

Robbo — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:40:20 +0000

The roles are quite different but I think it is probably the one position which you can compare. I don’t think union would present anything that would make Slaters height an issue – in fact the league fullback probably has to make more tackles and diffuse more “bombs” (due to the predictable high ball after each set). Most qualityfullbacks in both codes have attributes which would make them excel in the other – whereas league players in other positions would – in my opinion anyway – probably struggle more to adapt.

By: Neville Howard

Neville Howard — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:13:20 +0000

I’m sure Jantjies will walk back into the team due to the fact that he was 1st pick at full back up to the point where he broke his leg. No with having said that, I don’t believe he’s the best for the position. The debate was always ‘either Stefan, or Krichner’ -Stefan’s got the ability, but will he last to the World Cup, and frankly, his errors lost the sharks the Super 14 in the last Semi, as well as the Currie Cup semi. Krichner is young, talented, and in the long term has what it takes to make the spot his one. On top of that, he’s a player of colour, which is an added bonus! Give him the position, keep Pienaar on the bench for Du Preez, and Morne at fly half.

By: Ben J

Ben J — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:07:46 +0000

I remember a time where every second prop in South Africa haD the nickname “Baksteen” which means brick, or “Domkrag” which is a jack. Bismarck du Plessis is also a classic name.

By: Temba

Temba — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:23:17 +0000

Not many people knocking them over from 65m out, so his boots can’t be filled. He is such talent but very up and down, stability will come with age and experience. Many forget he is only 23, time up north might turn him into an even better player.

Pienaar has been the disappointment of the year and Brusso the find of the year. I loved seeing him put ears on McCaw and G Smith.

By: Hammer

Hammer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:22:13 +0000

Billy Slater is not even the best fullback in league …

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:13:43 +0000

I somehow doubt this will be a major problem. If it is soggy over in Europe I think the other teams should be more worried as it would play right in to the springboks hands. Put anyone at Fullback, Kirchner obviously has the best credentials, I’m sure he will do fine. Plus its du Preez and Morne Steyn who do most of the retrieving.

By: PastHisBest

PastHisBest — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:12:37 +0000

“Take Billy Slater – probably the best fullback in either code at the moment ”

Robbo BS is excellent, however comparing the fullback position in the two codes is fraught as they are quite different.

By: Robbo

Robbo — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:06:10 +0000

I don’t think height means a huge amount for a fullback. It is more the jump height than actual height that counts. Take Billy Slater – probably the best fullback in either code at the moment – and comparatively short.

By: PastHisBest

PastHisBest — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:50:30 +0000

Well said fox. Percy is a great name currently lost to rugby.

Speaking of great names, best current name in rugby – Billy Twelvetrees. Effing brilliant.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:55:18 +0000

Agree Eric. I thought Kirshner was comfortably the best SA 15 in S14 and should have been there all season.

Steyn thunders his goal kicks but for mine isnt much of a 15, more a 12.

By: fox

fox — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:08:43 +0000

Are they white boots? Percey’s your man then.

By: USRugbyFan

USRugbyFan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:59:50 +0000

Terblanche to start and Kirchner to get time off the bench and learn as much he possibly can.

By: eric

eric — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:07:32 +0000

Can someone tell me why Steyn is unavailable? Anyway, apart from his extraordinary kicking, he wasn’t an automatic choice in the Tests, in my view. Kirchner was unlucky not to get picked for the Lions and Tri-Nations tests.

By: OldManEmu

OldManEmu — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:10:08 +0000

Sheldon – as an Aussie my answer is “hopefully no one”.

By: chris, syd Aust

chris, syd Aust — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:47:13 +0000

he’s playing in the top 14 with racing metro

By: Willem

Willem — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:35:17 +0000

Yes but De villiers will only use the overseas players if their is no one from SA who can play at test level. Unfortunataly for Steyn their are a number of contenders putting their hands up to fill his spot. the same goes for Jean de Villiers the likes of Olivier will be a big stumbeling block that will keep him out of the team.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:21:29 +0000

FS Bob has a point, South Africa does have a three-foreign-based players policy in place, Matfield and Smit among others have benefitted from this policy already..

To answer the question posed though, I too liked the look of Kirchner during the Super 14. In a Bulls team of superstars, he didn’t look out of place at all….

By: Firestarter Bob

Firestarter Bob — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:00:39 +0000

Why should Francois Steyn lose his place in the team? Is he no longer a South African citizen?

By: TommyM

TommyM — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:40:44 +0000

Watching Joe Petersen in the Currie Cup, he seems a fantastically talented player with all the skills. Unfortunately though, like James O’Connor, I think he’s probably a little bit short for a test fullback. I’d agree Jantjes would be the best pick if he were available, but would pick Kirchner over Terblanche. The World Cup’s not that far away. May as well develop him now.

By: Grandpabhaile

Grandpabhaile — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:29:11 +0000

“Unfortunately, he lacks the reliability we need. One could only imagine the errors that could creep into his game in the wet and soggy Northern Hemisphere conditions.”

The mind boggles in trying to imagine this godforsaken sceanrio. What a thought. Imagine having to play in wet and soggy conditions – quelle horreur!

Doesn’t it rain in South Africa, then?

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:25:38 +0000

Yeah Terblanche is the best bet, very reliable and a good boot.

To me Kirchner proved he needs a bit more time to develop when he played for the Emerging Boks against the Lions. Some good touches, but some silly mistakes to e.g charge down kick leading to Lions try and bombing what looked like a certain try by passing to early and not drawing the defender in.

He should definately go on the end of year tour but I think pick terblanche as your first choice fullback and make Kirchner learn as much from him as possible. I think it would benefit Kirchner hugely to have an old head there to steady him.

By: van der Merwe

van der Merwe — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:18:30 +0000

Terblanche would be the safest option, but Peter refuses to touch him with a ten foot pole because he is as old as the hills.

By: Robbo

Robbo — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:18:15 +0000

I’d personally go with Kirchner – I was very impressed by him during the Super 14. I couldn’t be happier to see Conrad Jantjies out of contention – he has to be one of the most overrated players (excluding Tuqiri, Tahu, Sailor, Rogers and any other Waratah ex-League player) in world rugby.

Ruan Pienaar in a great utility player and I’m sure he could do a more than passable job at the 9, 10 and 15 positions if anyone was injured.