Du Preez poser for Meyer

The Springbok rumour mill has been in overdrive about who Heyneke Meyer would appoint as his short term skipper for the three Test series against England.

With Victor Matfield’s return now expunged by the IRB’s ruling relating to retired players (established primarily to avoid players retiring to let illegal substances pass through their system supposedly), scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, is the next name drawing attention to the leadership question.

Du Preez, currently playing in Japan, is expected to miss the first England Test if media reports are to be believed, meaning Jean de Villiers is the most likely option. If Du Preez does miss the first Test, Francois Hougaard appears the front runner for the No. 9 jersey.

The question is, what if Hougaard, or whoever sniffs around the fringes of the contact points, has a blinder? Where does that leave Du Preez, and the captaincy? Without having the benefit of Super Rugby competition, Du Preez will be under pressure to perform if he does receive the nod come the second Test.

What is being discussed are a combination of its and buts, and for a man as meticulous as Meyer, who so far has gone about his business with the Springbok blazer on his back in a measured fashion (a nice departure from the upfront manner of his predecessor at least where the media are concerned), the England series will give us an insight into how the former Bulls supremo intends on steering the green and gold juggernaut.

In other news, Sias Ebersohn has signed for the Western Force as their overseas player for next two seasons, with possible Australian representation on the cards. Ebersohn is talented no doubt but following the emergence of Johan Goosen, he has spent more time on the deck this season then he would have expected after a good campaign last year.

It’s an intelligent buy by the Force, which are undergoing some ruptures after the departure of coach Richard Graham and Will Genia’s move from the Queensland Reds falling through. With David Pocock staying in Perth, having a player with Ebersohn’s rounded skills should be a boon for the Super franchise.

He won’t be the last South African to cross the Indian Ocean, as Sarel Pretorius did this year (and he was under-utilised).