In an attemptto read what’s in Heyneke Meyer’s mind I have compiled a Meyer Dream Team, the team he would like to have if all players were fit and available. I left out older players like Bakkies, Victor and FdP as they would only have served as short term solutions.
Dream Team:
(first choice backups in brackets)
15 Zane Kirchner (Jaco Taute)
It is clear that Meyer sees Kirchner as his first choice fullback and from his remarks he wants Taute in the squad.
14 JP Pietersen (Vacant)
11 Bryan Habana (Vacant)
His selection of Engelbrecht initially indicated that JJ will become the first choice backup but then he was dropped after 10 minutes game time against Argentina so it’s difficult to say whether he is still in the picture. Whether Mvovo or Basson (or someone else) fits the bill for HM I’m not sure and Hougaard will provide the cover for the moment.
13 Jean de Villiers(Vacant)
12 Frans Steyn (Vacant)
At the moment there doesn’t seem to be a first choice backup for either centre positions. One thing is certain, it’s not Juan de Jongh. However, Jaco Taute can provide cover if needed.
10 Morne Steyn (Johan Goosen)
HM made it clear early on that he was waiting for Goosen to be fit and his treatment of Lambie and Jantjies confirms that Morne and Goosen will be his preferred flyhalves.
9 Francois Hougaard (Ruan Pienaar)
Hougaard’s move to the wing is probably only temporary. Jano Vermaak’s remaining presence in the squad after six tests without being in the match 22 dirties the water a bit and it is unclear how he fits in with Meyer’s plans. At the moment no other scrumhalf seems to come close to selection.
8 Pierre Spies (Ryan Kankowski)
Meyer seems to prefer a more traditional number eight and Duane Vermeulen is probably second backup after Kankowski.
7 Willem Alberts (Marcell Coetzee)
6 Schalk Burger (Vacant)
HM has made it clear that he doesn’t believe in a fetcher at flank and once Bismarck is fit Flo will probably be dropped while Brussouw doesn’t seem to be in the frame. Kolisi might work himself into contention, especially if Schalk’s injuries continue to preclude him.
5 Andries Bekker (Juandre Kruger)
4 Eben Etzebeth
Andries Bekker and Eben Etzebeth is clearly his preferred choice but Bekker’s back problems may rule him out of future selections. The preferred backups are Juandre Kruger and Flip van der Merwe with no other locks really in the picture.
3 Jannie du Plessis
2 Bismarck du Plessis (Adriaan Strauss)
1 Beast Mtawarira (Coenie Oosthuizen)
The front row speaks for itself and the backups too. With a second prop on the bench from 2013 the need for one prop to cover both sides falls away and we’ll probably see both Coenie and Pat there
The team:
15 Zane Kirchner
14 JP Pietersen
11 Bryan Habana
13 Jean de Villiers
12 Frans Steyn
10 Morne Steyn
9 Francois Hougaard
8 Pierre Spies
7 Willem Alberts
6 Schalk Burger
5 Andries Bekker
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Jannie du Plessis
2 Bismarck du Plessis
1 Beast Mtawarira
16 Adriaan Strauss
17 Coenie Oosthuizen
18 Juandre Kruger
19 Ryan Kankowski
20 Ruan Pienaar
21 Johan Goosen
22 Jaco Taute
Also rans:
I have left out youngsters like Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, etc. as they don’t seem to be in HM’s vision yet but could come in contention during 2013.
Chiliboy Ralepelle
Pat Cilliers
Dean Greyling
Flip van der Merwe
Jacues Potgieter
Duane Vermeulen
Jano Vermaak
Juan de Jongh
Pat Lambie
Wynand Olivier
JJ Engelbrecht
Lwazi Mvovo
Bjorn Basson
