Morne Steyn may yet face Wallabies

 
The Crowd Roar Guru

By Gerald Arendse, 25 Sep 2012 The Crowd is a Roar Guru

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    Springbok fans are reeling as local rugby journo, Jacques van der Westhuizen, reports that Heyneke Meyer may give the Bok resident No 10 Morne Steyn one more shot at redeeming himself – this time against the Aussies in Pretoria.

    Meyer apparently subscribes to the idea that Morne will revert to being Deadeye Dick because he knows Loftus so well.

    This little tidbit has Bok fans slapping their foreheads at the hint that Johan Goosen won’t be starting in a backline that badly needs some firepower.

    Adding to the angry frustration is the fact that a third fly-half, the talented Elton Jantjies, is also in the 30-man squad but is practically guaranteed to not make the 22.

    Bok tragics get a little relief knowing that utility back Jaco Taute, a hefty package at 6 feet 2, 95 kgs, may start ahead of the so-far ineffective Zane Kirchner. But that relief is tempered by an injury list that features JP Pietersen, Bjorn Basson, Pierre Spies, Siya Kolisi, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bismarck du Plessis.

    Wallaby fans, on the other hand, welcome the inclusion of the neophyte Taute, out for the last four months, who, as a debutant Springbok, can expect a rain of nerve-wracking high balls. And they’ll hope for Morne to start and keep the dangerous Goose on the bench.

    What Wallaby fans won’t be so crazy about are the options Meyer has for his front row – Jannie du Plessis, Pat Cilliers and Van der Linde as tighthead possibilities, Coenie Oosthuizen who covers both sides, and loosehead Beast Mtawarira.

    But then Aussies have some news to cheer them on of their own with a couple of go-forwards like Douglas and Timani likely to pair up sometime during the game. But they admit that, along with 15 committed Boks, the Wallabies will also be battling a screaming crowd and unfamiliar altitude.

    Perhaps their fondest hope is that Morne will start. And if he’s in, they’re crossing their fingers he won’t be on.

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