My Dream World Cup Squad
As Super rugby comes to a close, it's time to evaluate how the South Africans have fared against the best. Here is my choice of Springbok for the year 2007.
South African rugby needs a strong Sharks side.
As long as the Bulls have headlined South Africa's Super 14 hopes alone, a rigid and more conservative Springbok style of play emerges.
The Bulls have been successful and credit is due to them for their successes in recent years, but South African rugby is at its best when there is another franchise, more willing to show some attacking panache, at the forefronts of Super rugby.
And with the Super 14 hurtling towards play-offs, and the South African teams showing their high-pressure mettle, it is interesting to take a look at what, on current form, should be the make-up of the Bok squad of 30 for the World Cup.
Some things are non-negotiable in realistic terms. Jake White has created a Springbok world that can only have John Smit at the helm. South Africa also has political factors to consider.
My squad has 11 Sharks, 8 Bulls, 4 Cheetahs, 4 Lions, and 3 Stormers. There's experience, firepower, versatility, and the odd unexpected choice for that little bit extra. And there are one or two unfortunates too.
The most notably unlucky player who would miss out in my squad is De Wet Barry, who has been superb this year, but there is bound to be one injury in the backs and he would be first to be called up.
But what of Francois Steyn you say? I just don't know if I would want to play him in a World Cup final. Very rarely does one see individual brilliance win such a game (see Jonah Lomu in 1995). It's about composure, and matchwinning ability, not a stab in the dark.
Some decision are undoubtedly a little controversial, namely Waylon Murray and Adi Jacobs. But remember, Jacobs has played ten Tests, while Murray is in his third year of Super 14. In my view, they have what it takes.
Chilliboy was John Smit's understudy the whole of last year. On that basis I select him again.
Danie Rossouw misses out to AJ Venter, as the players are just too similar to both be included. Bobby Skinstad are Ernst Joubert are both made from that typically South African cloth of loose forward, that is able to provide that stirring performance when it is most needed.
The Ndunganes have proved to be wily try-scorers - Odwa particularly has found a new lease of life as something of a playmaker for the Sharks. Bryan Habana hasn't done enough to make the cut, whilst Breyton Paulse is mercurial. I believe a player like Eddie Fredericks has easily out-performed both of them.
Ruan Pienaar is too talented and versatile to miss out, and I have included Jaco van der Westhuyzen because whether he plays at wing or at fullback he is able to inject something from the first receiver position with pace and flair and is not too bad under the high ball.
When all is said and done, here is my choice. I would be a happy coach to have this thirty behind me, and it fulfills any concerns the politicians might have, demonstrating any influence of quotas is not entirely the end of the world if there is a plan and good consistent selection policies in place... What's your squad of choice?
Props: Gurthro Steenkamp, Os du Randt, BJ Botha, CJ van der Linde
Hookers: John Smit, Chilliboy Ralapele
Locks: Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, AJ Venter, Gerrie Britz
Loose forwards: Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Kabamba Floors, Pierre Spies, Bobby Skinstad, Ernst Joubert
Scrum-halves: Ricky Januarie, Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar
Fly-halves: Andre Pretorius, Butch James
Centres: Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Adrian Jacobs, Waylon Murray
Wings: Odwa Ndungane, Akona Ndungane, JP Pietersen
Fullbacks: Percy Montgomery, Jaco van der Westhuyzen
By Chris Waldburger
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