SA Rugby - Issues

South Africa has many rugby issues now, especially now that it is almost time for the first test against the British and Irish Lions. A query people seem to frequently have is, "Why is Heinrich Brussow not in the Bok squad?" Heinrich Brusow (Cheetas) has been nominated for various SARU (South African Rugby Union) awards and has achieved plenty with his impeccible ball skills in open play, and at the breakdowns. He has won over many fans and has brought many a crowd to their feet. So why is he not included amongst others in the Bok squad? My answer is that Peter Devilliers did not search very hard for talent. There are many others who should be in the Bok squad but have been over-looked. Jean Deysel (Sharks) and Louis Ludik (Lions) have both made the Emerging Boks, but I feel,they should have made the real thing. Keegan Daniel was also a player I was hoping to see make a debut in green and gold. Not to mension, there are a few selections that have no way of being described other than "poor." I was stunned to see the rather ordinary prop Deon Carstens make the cut, not to mension erratic fly-half Earl Rose. The fact is simple that Earl Rose is not good enough to play at international levels. He has cost his franchise team many a game and is incapable of making key decisions. Though Sharks' fullback Stefan Terblanche most probably wouldn't play till the next world cup in 2011, he should've been added just for this lions tour as he possesses something only a rare few South African rugby players possess, an actual idea of what to do next. I think he should've been added for this test series and then that would be it - besides, John Smit said that the Boks are treating this like a world cup final. Ruan Pienaar is the most over-rated player in world rugby. I wouldn't even put him in my Sharks XV. His constant knok-ons, poor goal-kicking and dreadful passing make the Sharks' rugby torture to watch. To be quite frank, I do not think that Frans Steyn should be in the springbok squad. He doesn't have the mind for flyhalf or fullback, not the pace for wing and quite frankly not enough skills for centre. Steyn should consider trying out for flank. One of the Ndunganes should have made it but Peter DeVilliers chose the wrong one. Odwa is a wing for the Sharks yet only scored 2 tries. His brother Akona, who plays for the Bulls, scored more than double this and did not make it. I like Adi Jacobs and no doubt he is quite a talent, but, Jaque Fourie should Start with Jean DeVilliers and Adi should come on off the bench. Bismarck DuPlessis is a player that I can not believe everyone rates. He takes an abundance of time to throw the ball in and most of the time either misses his man or throws it in skew. John Smit should be hooker not prop and his replacement, Adriaan Strauss (Cheetas) should be his replacement. Chilliboy Rallepelle should no doubt not be included.

My Starting XV (For Lions Tour):
1. Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira
2. John Smit
3. Jannie DuPlessis
4. Victor Matfield
5. Bakkies Botha
6. Schalk Burger
7. Heinrich Brussow
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie DuPreez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Jongi Nokwe
12. Jean DeVilliers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Louis Ludik
15. Stefan Terblanche (After Lions tour, Habana at wing and Ludik at fullback)