Bok skipper needs work, says WP coach
by Craig Ray,
2015-07-28 05:48:35.0
JEAN de Villiers returned to the Springbok camp on Monday after completing 80 minutes for Western Province (WP) against the Eastern Province Kings on Saturday.
The Bok skipper could be recalled for the Test against Argentina in Durban on August 8 after a comeback following a career-threatening knee injury against Wales last November.
But WP coach John Dobson was selective in his praise of De Villiers. The 106-Test veteran has not yet met his own high standards, he cautioned.
"Jean insisted on playing 80 minutes against the Kings, so he went to the wing on the hour because we wanted to look at other centre options," Dobson said. "He was really happy with the way he could accelerate, and he could have scored but dropped a ball. He was definitely sharper this week.
"Jean left us to join the Boks on Monday, but he wasn’t sure if he would be picked against Argentina, but that was just him being modest, I think. I’m sure he’ll be in the mix for the Argentina Test in Durban.
"To be brutally honest, if you watched that game (against the Kings), you wouldn’t think that Jean is a world-leading centre. But his progression is significant every week.
"From where he was against the World XV, to the Pumas and the Kings, there has been a great jump every week.
"What isn’t in doubt is his appetite, energy and bravery but, by his own admission, he still has a way to go."
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer will welcome some experienced players back into the selection frame after his team threw away leads in the final 10 minutes of both their Rugby Championship games in the past fortnight.
The Boks lost 24-20 to Australia in Brisbane and slumped to a 27-20 defeat against the All Blacks at Ellis Park last Saturday. SA dominated large parts of both games but failed to kill their opposition off, which ultimately cost them against two vastly more experienced teams.
Meyer hinted that lock Pieter-Steph du Toit could also be back in the selection frame for the clash against the Pumas.
"Pieter could have played 10 to 15 minutes against the All Blacks," Meyer said.
The coach is still looking for a backup No 5 to cover for Victor Matfield and he is fast running out of time.
Matfield should be over a hamstring injury before the Pumas Test. But the management might keep him away from what will be a physical encounter against Argentina with the World Cup only five weeks away following that match.
Lood de Jager has come through sensationally in the past two weeks after a long lay-off because of a broken elbow.
With Du Toit back in the frame and Eben Etzebeth in superb form, that trio could be the Boks’ second row contingent in Durban.
Team doctor Craig Roberts will give an update on Tuesday about other players injured in the All Black clash.
Jean de Villiers leaves the field after his first match in nine months on July 11. Picture: EPA/NIC BOTHMA
JEAN de Villiers returned to the Springbok camp on Monday after completing 80 minutes for Western Province (WP) against the Eastern Province Kings on Saturday.
The Bok skipper could be recalled for the Test against Argentina in Durban on August 8 after a comeback following a career-threatening knee injury against Wales last November.
But WP coach John Dobson was selective in his praise of De Villiers. The 106-Test veteran has not yet met his own high standards, he cautioned.
"Jean insisted on playing 80 minutes against the Kings, so he went to the wing on the hour because we wanted to look at other centre options," Dobson said. "He was really happy with the way he could accelerate, and he could have scored but dropped a ball. He was definitely sharper this week.
"Jean left us to join the Boks on Monday, but he wasn’t sure if he would be picked against Argentina, but that was just him being modest, I think. I’m sure he’ll be in the mix for the Argentina Test in Durban.
"To be brutally honest, if you watched that game (against the Kings), you wouldn’t think that Jean is a world-leading centre. But his progression is significant every week.
"From where he was against the World XV, to the Pumas and the Kings, there has been a great jump every week.
"What isn’t in doubt is his appetite, energy and bravery but, by his own admission, he still has a way to go."
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer will welcome some experienced players back into the selection frame after his team threw away leads in the final 10 minutes of both their Rugby Championship games in the past fortnight.
The Boks lost 24-20 to Australia in Brisbane and slumped to a 27-20 defeat against the All Blacks at Ellis Park last Saturday. SA dominated large parts of both games but failed to kill their opposition off, which ultimately cost them against two vastly more experienced teams.
Meyer hinted that lock Pieter-Steph du Toit could also be back in the selection frame for the clash against the Pumas.
"Pieter could have played 10 to 15 minutes against the All Blacks," Meyer said.
The coach is still looking for a backup No 5 to cover for Victor Matfield and he is fast running out of time.
Matfield should be over a hamstring injury before the Pumas Test. But the management might keep him away from what will be a physical encounter against Argentina with the World Cup only five weeks away following that match.
Lood de Jager has come through sensationally in the past two weeks after a long lay-off because of a broken elbow.
With Du Toit back in the frame and Eben Etzebeth in superb form, that trio could be the Boks’ second row contingent in Durban.
Team doctor Craig Roberts will give an update on Tuesday about other players injured in the All Black clash.
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