Meyer passes his first test

Two down, one to go. That is probably what Heyneke Meyer will be telling himself as the Springboks look to sweep England 3-0 when the two sides clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The team chosen for the series has done the job and, apart from a dip at Ellis Park, has stuck to the task given to them manfully.

The starting XV revealed on Wednesday showed three changes from the run-on team in Johannesburg, with Gio Aplon making a belated appearance at fullback, South Africa’s third in as many games. Jacques Potgieter, the Bulls flank, will take Willem Alberts’s place while Wynand Olivier will take over at 12, replacing Frans Steyn who is getting hitched.

Aplon’s inclusion offers attacking versatility while Potgieter’s high energy approach and ball carrying should ensure Alberts won’t be too badly missed. Olivier, a known quantity to Meyer, has the chance to prove his doubters wrong.

Overall, Meyer would be satisfied with his team’s effort, considering the tiny amount of time he had to prepare them before they faced England in Durban. Bismarck du Plessis has been immense as a ball carrier this series, while Juandre Kruger and Eben Etzebeth have shown enough to calm beating hearts following the departure of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen have shown their class while Jean de Villiers has carried the captain’s mantle well. Even Pierre Spies seems revitalised, as Meyer appears to have sprinkled some magic on his morning cereal and the physical attributes we all know he possesses are coming to the fore on a consistent basis. Marcel Coetzee has equipped himself well enough, though he is still learning.

The one player under perhaps a little bit of pressure is Morne Steyn. Not recognised as so much a ball-running flyhalf but rather one comfortable putting foot to ball, his goal kicking and out-of-hand kicking has been inconsistent, compared to known ability. Elton Jantjies’s inclusion on the bench might just be because of Olivier’s elevation, but one wonders whether Meyer is sending a coded message to Steyn? Either way, he needs an excellent kicking display in PE to keep the naysayers at bay.

This three-Test tour, nearly complete, has been a refreshing addition to an overcrowded rugby calender. Ireland and Wales should have had the beating of New Zealand and Australia last weekend, while England have shown they have the ability to punish mistakes. Super rugby returns in a couple of weeks, and before too long the new Four Nations (ie Rugby Championship) will be upon us.

The Springboks should enter the second part of their international season with an even chance of proving they are the best team in the southern hemisphere.