Steyne axed for Australian Test
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South Africa have axed out-of-form five-eighth Morne Steyn and handed Johan Goosen his first Test start for the Rugby Championship battle with Australia in Pretoria on Saturday.
The inclusion of the 20-year-old Cheetahs No.10 is one of three changes to the line-up that was beaten by New Zealand in Dunedin in their last match.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer said it was a difficult decision to drop Steyn, especially because he was back on his home turf at Loftus Versfeld where his goal-kicking had proven so valuable.
It deserted him in the Dunedin Test, missing 11 points worth of kicks.
“Especially at Loftus it is a big call,” Meyer said.
“I just feel that it’s in his best interest and that of the team that he doesn’t play.
“He’s an unbelievable character and a champion and he took it graciously and I know he will be back.”
He said he considered including Steyn on the bench but didn’t think it would help his battered confidence if he came on in the last 20 minutes and the result hung on his contribution.
While Goosen offers South Africa more flair in attack, Meyer warned not to expect match-winning heroics.
“People must be realistic and not expect a 20-year-old to come in and win the game and score five tries, although I would love that,” Meyer said.
Injured inside centre Frans Steyn has been bracketed with Jaco Taute and should he fail a final fitness test on his ankle at their final training session, Taute will make his debut.
He will play at outside centre with skipper Jean de Villiers moving to No.12 to split the two youngsters.
Meyer said Frans Steyn had re-injured the ankle running at their most recent training session and would only play if he was 100 per cent right.
Among the other changes Eben Etzebeth and Andries Bekker are the new lock combination.
Etzebeth returns after missing the previous Test because of a suspension.
Meyer also made four changes on the bench, where Coenie Oosthuizen, Flip van der Merwe, Elton Jantjies and Taute have been included.
© AAP 2013South Africa: Zane Kirchner, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers (capt), Francois Steyn/Jaco Taute, Francois Hougaard, Johan Goosen, Ruan Pienaar, Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Andries Bekker, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Andries Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Tiaan Liebenberg, Coenie Oosthuizen, Flip van der Merwe, Marcell Coetzee, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute/Juan de Jongh, Patrick Lambie.
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- Morne Steyn, Rugby Union, Springboks, wallabies
September 27th 2012 @ 5:20am
mania said | September 27th 2012 @ 5:20am | Report comment
i thought morne was injured?
September 27th 2012 @ 6:29am
Red Kev said | September 27th 2012 @ 6:29am | Report comment
Nah it was Frans Steyn who was injured (ankle) at training and may not play.
Good news for the Bokke though – for the first time in a long time South Africa’s flyhalf will be both more creative and in better form than Australia’s.
September 27th 2012 @ 6:39am
mania said | September 27th 2012 @ 6:39am | Report comment
and decidedly fitter than fatty Beale.
cant wait to see how goosen operates behind a decent forward pack
September 27th 2012 @ 7:38am
Rugby Tragic said | September 27th 2012 @ 7:38am | Report comment
mania, I think Johan Goosen I think is destined for great heights but judgment on him might be better reserved on how he performs against a challenged forward pack in the international arena – they all have to deal with it at times.
September 27th 2012 @ 7:44am
mania said | September 27th 2012 @ 7:44am | Report comment
umm rugbyTragic, i’ve already seen what goosen can do behind a challenged forward pack. cheetah’s much? and i must say if thats how he plays in a losing situation then he’s got the goods to b awesome. but your right and we should reserve judgement until this weekend.
September 27th 2012 @ 6:27am
Demers said | September 27th 2012 @ 6:27am | Report comment
There’s so much more interest in the game, in both countries, now that both teams have changed their playmakers. Frans Steyne has just come off crutches so doubt if he’ll pass a fitness test in time, which means they’ll be quite a clash between McCabe and Jean de Villiers.
AAC will have to handle the new boy, Taute, and vice versa. Kirchner retains his spot which, on his recent form, holds back the Bok attack somewhat. Bok fans are hoping that Alberts and Vermeulen will both step up and take over for a change. Bekker & Etzebeth against Timani and Douglas in the loose will be kind of interesting. It’s shaping up to be a furious battle with both coaches under a good deal of strain. Wish Moore was fit but if TPN throws straight, puts in a few kamikaze tackles without knocking himself out, the game should be well balanced.
September 27th 2012 @ 7:01am
moaman said | September 27th 2012 @ 7:01am | Report comment
Hat’s off to Morne Steyn; On his day-the best goal-kicker I have seen. But reading between the lines it appears to be the end of an illustrious career.
RSA will be a more dangerous beast with Goosen at the helm.And Jantjies looks an ideal bench option.
September 27th 2012 @ 7:40am
Rugby Tragic said | September 27th 2012 @ 7:40am | Report comment
Agreed moaman – next couple of years will probably see that potential unveiled. Hmmm by the time for the next world cup in 2015, countries will have been through their rebuilding phases and I think that tournament will be extremely competitive.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:18am
Who Needs Melon said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:18am | Report comment
Get Lambie on the pitch as well and SA will be even more dangerous. Although, as an Australian, perhaps wait until next week please.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:27am
Shamwari said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:27am | Report comment
HM finally sees the light by dumping Steyn and bringing in Goosen but I still don’t understand what HM has against Peter Grant – brilliant, mature and deeply experienced. I would have Grant as walk on fly-half with Goosen on the bench to blood him gently into test level rugby. However, why on earth does he stick with Kirchner? He is simply not up to standard for such an important position. For my money I would have Frans Steyn at fullback and De Jongh at centre pairing with team mate JDV. Pleased to see Lambie still in the frame albeit on the bench.
September 27th 2012 @ 9:29am
tubby said | September 27th 2012 @ 9:29am | Report comment
have to agree, I’d have grant as starting fly half. you never mentioned his goalkicking which has had a highger success rate than steyne for some time now.
the biggest mystery is how kirschner keeps his spot. lambie, aplon, joe pieterson, plenty of good options at 15.
September 27th 2012 @ 10:14am
Shamwari said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Problem with Aplon and Joe P is that they are too short to consistently compete the high ball successfully at Test level. Big hearted, talented and committed, without doubt, but too small. Sadly.
September 27th 2012 @ 11:19am
Suzy Poison said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:19am | Report comment
Shamwari, I still would have Joe P and Aplon ahead of the Bulls boys, Kirchner and Hougaard (who is also pretty short) as they can both tackle.
September 27th 2012 @ 11:59am
Shamwari said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:59am | Report comment
Suzie – we’re talking about the fullback position here. Hougaard doesn’t play there so he is out of contention for this position (he gets a big tick from me generally because he has the mongrel in him). Here are some facts:
[1] Kirchner – 184cms and 92 kgs
[2] Aplon – 175cms and 80kgs
[3] Joe P – 180cms and 81kgs
[4] Lambie – 177cms and 87kgs (still very young and has time to bulk up for the next World Cup)
[5] Frans S – 191cms and 110kgs (plus the x-factor and the huge boot)
So my order of preference for Springbok fullback is [1] Frans S, [2] Lambie, [3] Joe P
September 27th 2012 @ 12:13pm
Suzy Poison said | September 27th 2012 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
Agree about fullback positions! All I am saying Meyer contradicts himself about size, as Hougaard is only as tall as Aplon. Still would also rather have the “mongrel” of Hougaard in the team somewhere.
All up, I like the Bok team, except Kirtchner, but he is too that bad. I can cope with him. If Meyer had selected Morne Steyn, I would have refused to watch. I am feeling quietly confident the Boks could have a good game on Saturday, I really like this team Meyer has picked.
September 27th 2012 @ 2:50pm
biltongbek said | September 27th 2012 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
Shamwari, Jaco Taute is bigger than all of them, faster, he runs hthe 100 in 10.7 and a big favourite of Meyer.
He is likely to feature at 15 once the team settles.
September 28th 2012 @ 7:25pm
pim said | September 28th 2012 @ 7:25pm | Report comment
Reading between the lines anything from the Bulls is crap- as it is the only time you seem to mention the province a player is from. And by the way – Aplon a better tackler than Hougaard- what are you on Suzy??
September 27th 2012 @ 9:42am
Suzy Poison said | September 27th 2012 @ 9:42am | Report comment
Shamwari, I am a Stormers fan, but the Stormers backline was terrible this year. Grant doesn’t put his backline into space and his kicking out of hand is weak. He just doesn’t have the distance of Jantjies, Goosen or Steyn. That’s why he doesn’t get a look in. Also Juan De Jong cannot pass the ball. It’s no wonder the Stormers scored less tries than anyone this year, with plodders like Grant, De Jong and Jean De Villiers in the backline. Habana suddendly looks brilliant in the Bok team, as he is finally getting some ball.
The problem with the Stormers is Robbie Fleck is the backline coach, and he had to be coached how to bass the ball (in his 30′s) when he went to play at Bath, under John Connelly. (Ex Aus Coach) The only good thing the Stormers have is great defence, thanks to Jacques Nienaaber. Pity he is not the Bok defence coach, as he is way better than the Bulls guy, Meyer hired.
September 27th 2012 @ 10:12am
Shamwari said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Suzy – I think we must have been watching two different teams both, coincidently, called the Stormers. Remember preventing the opposition scoring tries is as important as scoring tries. I think that in Alistair Coetzee they have the best coach in South Africa. His success, particularly this season with all the injuries to key players he has had to cope with, was outstanding – they were magnificent – even beat the Bulls at fortress Loftus!
September 27th 2012 @ 11:17am
Suzy Poison said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
So how come the Sharks beat the Stormers at Newlands, in the playoffs? I am from Cape Town, but the way Plumtree coached the Sharks and free running game, the Sharks played for me, easily makes them the best South African team. Plumtree for my money is a lot better than Coetzee. It’s also for that reason, the Sharks (who beat both the Australian and South African Conference leaders in their own backyards) make up the majority of the Bok team.
Stormers problems are easy to fix, get a decent backline coach. Fleck is useless.
September 28th 2012 @ 7:40pm
biltongbek said | September 28th 2012 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
Shamwari, I think it is difficult to say someone is the best coach, Allistair coetzee is a conservative coach, not that there is too much wrong with that, when you look at the Western Province in the currie Cup they are playing more attacking rugby, so the question for me is how much difference does the players selected make?
Peter grant in my opinion started the season well, but his attacking game fell off at the end of the campaign.
September 28th 2012 @ 7:32pm
pim said | September 28th 2012 @ 7:32pm | Report comment
There we go again Suzy- BULLS coach- you really are something! I know you Province fans (I also live in Cape Town)are rather bitter about the lack of success in both Currie Cup & Super Rugby and the Bulls have been the most succesfull SA team in the last 10 years- but hey if it makes you happy keep going- it is just so boring!!
September 28th 2012 @ 7:43pm
biltongbek said | September 28th 2012 @ 7:43pm | Report comment
pim, not sure why you are on Suzie’s case, the Stormers defence coach is the best in SA, it has been proven over the past two years.
The problem with the Bulls is they have dropped off in the last two years, the successes you are talking about is history.
September 27th 2012 @ 2:53pm
biltongbek said | September 27th 2012 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
Peter Grant folded like a house of cards in the se final vs the Sharks. He is a little better than Steyn, but nowhere as good as Goosen.
September 27th 2012 @ 5:36pm
IvanN said | September 27th 2012 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
Peter Grant misses too many tackles. Goosen could become the next Carter, the first time SA would have such a quality running 10 since Henry Honiball.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:27am
Albo said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Can someone with more knowledge about him than myself, please explain the selection of Kirchner? He has never really wowed me in the slightest. Perhaps this is because he is a ‘tireless worker’, doing all the ‘hard yards’ as some of those quieter players get credited for but I see someone like Lambie being a far more productive and dangerous option for the Boks.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:42am
Red Kev said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:42am | Report comment
Lambie came back from an ankle injury in the last regular season round of the Super Rugby and had a shocker (dropped balls, out of position, etc) and has not been given decent game time since. That said he is a far better fullback than Kirchner, Lambie is solid under the high ball and a rock in defense and a better kicker than M.Steyn in my opinion, but he doesn’t play for the Bulls.
September 27th 2012 @ 10:23am
Albo said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Thanks RK. I couldn’t remember how long ago his injury was. Surely he’d be one good final quarter away from a start by now.
September 27th 2012 @ 9:35am
Suzy Poison said | September 27th 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Albo, I would prefer Lambie at fullback, but can see why Meyer has picked Kirchner over Lambie to start. Kircher has a better kicking game. You only need to watch the first half in Perth,to see how he returned all the Wallabies kicks, and sent them back 20 metres from where they started. He is solid nothing more, but that seems to fit in with Meyer’s game plan. He is also very good under the highball, and had a okay game against the All Blacks. I think he is a little suspect on defence, and for me Lambie is better on defence.
Having said all that, this is without a doubt the best team, Meyer has selected so far.
September 27th 2012 @ 9:59am
Albo said | September 27th 2012 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Cheers Suzy, I remember his rather searching kicks now. So solid, not spectacular. A bit of a Marty Roebuck
September 27th 2012 @ 10:29am
Shamwari said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:29am | Report comment
Kirchner is at best an average Test level fullback. For searching kicks and paying back the opposition kicks with interest – every time – you can’t get better than Frans Steyn, He has the x-factor and scares the crap out of opponents with his touch kicking, his Gary Owens (longest “hang time” of all giving the runners ample time to challenge for the ball when it drops) and his drop kicks from anywhere within 60 metres of the sticks. See how much better the Boks play when he is fullback – he instils huge confidence in his team mates. Centre does not permit him to have as much influence on the game or the team’s performance.
September 27th 2012 @ 10:39am
mania said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Shamwari i agree.i reckon frans is better at fullback than in the centres
September 27th 2012 @ 11:22am
Suzy Poison said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
If Jaco Taute has a good game in the centres, on Saturday night, we may see Frans Steyn , going back to fullback again?
September 27th 2012 @ 11:59am
mania said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:59am | Report comment
hope so suzy. frans just hasnt been the same this season in the centres
September 27th 2012 @ 2:58pm
Red Kev said | September 27th 2012 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
I doubt that – I read an interview with Meyer (in some magazine published before the RC started) where he sings F.Steyn’s praises as a 12. Meyer sees him a best in the world candidate for that position.
Personally I agree, Steyn’s boot makes him a weapon from 15, like Gerrard should be been for Australia.
September 27th 2012 @ 12:13pm
Albo said | September 27th 2012 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
I’m a big fan of Frans at 15 (except when playing the wallabies). I agree that there is no position that better utilises his skill set. It’s the same result as if we had tried to put Chris Latham in the centres.
September 27th 2012 @ 5:46pm
IvanN said | September 27th 2012 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
Frans Steyn has a very powerful and accurate pass too, He couldve been the best 10 that SA had ever had up until Goosen that is.
Taute is going to own 13 soon.
Which is a pity, because i really like JP Pietersen at 13.
I would rather move Taute to 15, play JP at 13 next to Frans.
OR
bring Jaque Fourie back to 13, we have sorely missed him.
Play Jean at 12
something like
9-15 = Hougaard,Goosen,Habana,DeVilliers,Fourie,Pietersen,Frans
But thats not a combination for the future or 2015. So lets take hte knock now, and look towards 2015.
Jean is not going to make the next world cup. hes losing a bit each game. His body is giving up.
I would like to see young Jordaan coming into 13 outside of Frans at 12.
JP at 14, with Rhule at 11.
Taute to 15.
9-15 = Hougie,Goosen,Rhule,Frans,Jordaan,JP,Taute
Thats a backline for hte future.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:11pm
Shamwari said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
If you are looking ahead at the next World Cup then a centre who is remarkable is Jan Serfontein from the Junior Springboks. Watching him reminds me of the greatest centre ever, Danie Gerber. Can’t be too long before he is blooded in a full Springbok jumper.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:18pm
biltongbek said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:18pm | Report comment
Shamwari, I agree with you, but strangely he hasn’t fired at the Bulls during the currie Cup this year, not they they are plaing well at all at the moment though. but he isn’t making his mark, Paul Jordaan on the other hand has been playing very well.
September 27th 2012 @ 8:22pm
IvanN said | September 27th 2012 @ 8:22pm | Report comment
Serfontein had a fantastic world cup, but has yet to prove himself in the Currie Cup.
He had limited game time for the bulls before getting some tummy bug last week.
so i will keep an eye on him this weekend.
But Jordaan is a bigger find than Serfontein.
Take a look at that kid. serious gas, great step and pace off the mark.
And Taute, as mentioned above – I think he could become a great 15, but he needs to play 13 to be more involved, he just needs a good 10,12 to get him running onto the ball.
106kg and 10.7 100m, difficult to tackle.
September 27th 2012 @ 4:38pm
chris said | September 27th 2012 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Frans Steyn is very slow though.
Twelve is the only position that I would consider him and if he doesn’t shed a couple of pounds, I would like Heyneke to start looking at other options.
September 27th 2012 @ 2:55pm
biltongbek said | September 27th 2012 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
Meyer sees Kirchner as a “safe” option. Hopefully once Goosen has settled Lambie will get his chance, however Taute might overtake Lambie as he is a big facourite of Meyer.
September 27th 2012 @ 5:40pm
IvanN said | September 27th 2012 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
You could also watch some Bulls games, and see that Kirchner does slot into the backline moves quite well. His field positioning is very good, and he does have a big boot. SA are relying on cover defense by Habana and Hougie to make up for Kirchners defensive frailties. I think that until Lambie is 100% fit, its not that bad a call.
Many would rather have Gio Aplon at 15, so would i. He can kick off both feet, and as some would have seen in Super Rugby, he is one of the most deadly counter attackers in SA.
This is shaping up to be a fantastic contest, Now that the Wallaby pack is bulked up and the SA backs may have some flair.
This match could stand in huge contrast from the last one between us.
September 27th 2012 @ 10:08am
cm said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:08am | Report comment
I don’t think Meyer cares much who’s in his backline. He’s planning to win it through the forwards and exhaust the unfit Wobblies at altitude.
September 27th 2012 @ 11:46am
barbz said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:46am | Report comment
Does this mean Goosen will be doing the goal kicking or only if Frans is injured?
September 27th 2012 @ 11:58am
mania said | September 27th 2012 @ 11:58am | Report comment
goosen is a better(more accurate) kicker than frans. goal and out of hand. frans has a bigger kick though goosen i’ve seen footage when he was younger of kicking 60+ metre goals.
September 27th 2012 @ 2:57pm
biltongbek said | September 27th 2012 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
I think Pienaar will be doing the goal kicking.
September 27th 2012 @ 4:19pm
Jacko said | September 27th 2012 @ 4:19pm | Report comment
Goosen had the highest percentage kicks in Super Rugby of any fly half around 85% and that with plenty of long range efforts, he also kicked when he came on against the AB’s while Ruan was on the pitch so he will definitely be the 1st option on Saturday!!!
Massively excited!!!!
September 27th 2012 @ 4:28pm
biltongbek said | September 27th 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
I am just thinking Meyer would not want to put too much pressure and responsibility on Goosen, Pienaar has been kicking very well in Europe,
September 27th 2012 @ 4:49pm
Jacko said | September 27th 2012 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
No mate, Meyer has stated that when he backs a player he does so 100%. He will also want to see the mental resolve that he believes he has.
See the article on Keo where Strauss talks about him and at the bottom what Goosen’s responses was to the National Anthem etc. I really think we have something special here.
September 27th 2012 @ 5:50pm
IvanN said | September 27th 2012 @ 5:50pm | Report comment
Goosen will do the kicking. He was the most accurate kicker of the SA teams in S15.
I watched a vid where he kicked a 67m goal, in school.
Anyone notice that this weekend, There are 7 Grey College boys in teh 22.
thats impressive.
September 27th 2012 @ 10:44pm
Jacko said | September 27th 2012 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
Hey Ivan, there are 8 in the 22:’
• Frans Steyn – Inside Centre
• Johan Goosen – Flyhalf
• Ruan Pienaar – Scrumhalf
• Jannie du Plessis – Tighthead Prop
• Adriaan Strauss – Hooker (Vice-captain)
• Tiaan Liebenberg – Reserve Hooker
• Coenie Oosthuizen – Reserve Prop
• Flip van der Merwe – Reserve Lock
I think you forgot Liebenberg.
Add to that: CJ (Group), Brussouw (should be in), Bismark (injured), Piet v Zyl (future), Serfontein (future), Jordaan (future), Small-Smith (future), Joe Pietersen (fringe), R Ebersohn (fringe), R Strauss (future Ireland hooker) etc etc and you can see why Grey is the leading rugby school not just in the Southern Hemisphere but possibly the world.
September 28th 2012 @ 12:05am
IvanN said | September 28th 2012 @ 12:05am | Report comment
on the money Jacko – i forgot about Liebenberg.
Heres an interesting one.
Joel Stransky, matriculated from Maritzburg College in 1985. He went on to win the World Cup with SA in 1995. Exactly 10 years after matric
Butch James matriculated from Maritzburg College in 1997, and went on to win the World Cup with SA in 2007. Once again, 10 years after.
Peter Grant matriculated from Maritzburg College in 2001, but never got to play in the World Cup for SA in 2011…. Pieter De Villiers should have been studying history.
September 28th 2012 @ 12:13am
IvanN said | September 28th 2012 @ 12:13am | Report comment
For all Grey College’s achievements – Lets not forget, they gave the world Steve Hofmeyer.
And they gave the Bulls Supporters Pine Pienaar.
Mind you, Were Kepler Wessels and Hansie Cronje not both Grey College boys ?
Funny memory i have of Grey, I was quite fast in school. And was a provincial soccer player,
in a traditional Boys Rugby School.
I was asked to play a Rugby game against Grey, at centre – first touch of the ball – I trotted along thinking
nobody could catch me. The last thing i remembered was flying through the air. Ribs broken. Athletics career over.
September 28th 2012 @ 12:26am
Jacko said | September 28th 2012 @ 12:26am | Report comment
Steve… I’m actually a big fan…. well not of his music or his acting, but by how he stands by what he believes in…also he only had standard 8 at Grey! haha
I played hockey at Grey, unfortunately also not strong or agile enough to make it in the rugby circles there.
Wish the Boks can instill the tradition and refusal to lose like Grey does. We had a run of 230 games with 2 losses in my time and it was the same up and until this year!!
Viva la Grey
September 27th 2012 @ 12:19pm
Chris said | September 27th 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
I’m starting to regret that bet I put on the Aussies the other day when it looked like Steyn would be starting!
At least they were given a 7.5 point start…