Cardiff: Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says that he will do “whatever it takes” to pick the best possible squad for the Rugby World Cup next year, and that might involve having to convince Frans Steyn and Jaque Fourie to make themselves available for Test rugby again.
The serious knee injury sustained by captain Jean de Villiers against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, as well as a lack of experienced and top-quality depth in midfield may see Meyer contacting Steyn (53 Test caps) and Fourie (72) in the coming months.
Steyn infamously “walked out” of the Bok camp in Durban in June ahead of a Test against Wales after playing against the World XV at Newlands a week earlier, He has joined Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus since then, but is set to return to the Sharks for Super Rugby next year, so that could be the opportunity Meyer needs to sound out Steyn about Test rugby.
Fourie announced his retirement from international rugby just last week and has signed a lucrative contract extension with Japanese side Kobe Steelers. But with there being doubts about whether De Villiers would be back in time for the World Cup, Meyer needs alternative options. JP Pietersen has played some rugby at outside centre, but didn’t see any action in that position on the November tour.
“I wasn’t aware of (Jaque Fourie’s retirement). I had a meeting with him in Japan recently, and at that stage, he was still available. So it’s a setback now with Jean injured, and Frans Steyn not available either. So, that’s a lot of experience, but luckily I’ve started playing JP there and Jan has done well too. But you need experience as it’s still a long season and there may be injuries,” Meyer said yesterday.
“I will probably have a talk with Frans, but I think it’s up to him. He has ruled himself out. But I’ve said it’s about me or egos – we have to go and win the World Cup. So, I will do whatever it takes, even if I have to speak to Jaque Fourie – whatever it takes, I will do.
“We will use all the help that we can get, but I also believe that guys have to prove that they want to play for South Africa, and that they are better than the guys who are putting their bodies on the line for four years.
“You have to find the balance, but in the end, there shouldn’t be any egos – you should go with the best 31 to represent your country.”
But despite going down 12-6 to Wales, as well as losing to Ireland on this tour, Meyer is adamant that the result at the Millennium Stadium had to be seen in the context that many of his experienced stalwarts were not available – either through injury or the fact that the overseas players couldn’t feature as it was outside of the Test window.
Regulars such as Bryan Habana, Pietersen, Fourie du Preez, Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Jannie du Plessis were among those who missed the Welsh Test, while other experienced operators such as Schalk Burger and Ruan Pienaar would’ve provided strong cover on the bench.
“Being the fourth game on tour and a lot of the guys not available, it was always going to be tough and you are always going to be under pressure with youngsters. So, I want to keep on saying that you rather want to go there with momentum, but I find that this has got no bearing on the World Cup,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence as a lot of guys are coming back and we will have a great side in the Championship going forward and in the World Cup.” - Cape Times