The Real Test

The Proteas begin their 4 match test series against India tomorrow in the last leg of their 10 week long tour. The biggest talking points that have come out the camp are that of the youngsters in the team having to step up and fill the roles of the “big boys”. Case and point? JP Duminy is still in doubt as he recovers from split webbing, if he doesn’t make the full recovery, Temba Bavuma, SA A’s second highest run scorer in their tour to India will have to step up and fill JP’s shoes. Stiaan van Zyl has a point of his own to prove at the top of the order along wih bowlers Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada.

It is an unfamiliar sight to see the Proteas going through a restructuring phase in their test team, but this is something that needed to happen, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as these youngsters are in the form of their lives.

A debate that will keep on going for many years is that of who will take over the duties of Wicket Keeper. The Proteas have yet to settle on a replacement since losing one of the worlds best in 2012, Mark Boucher. Dane Villas has been drafted in but we’ve also seen stints form ODI Captain, AB de Villiers and ODI opening batsman, Quinton de Kock.

Many exciting things lie ahead of the #1 Test nation in the World and it is good to see an inclusion of new names within the team.

Here’s to waking up at 5 am every morning for the next month.

Writing for Kovsie Fm Sport, my name is Sam “Uncle Sam” Ludidi

Springboks RWC Opener

The Bok team to take on Japan has been named Japan and this is how they will run out:

15 Zane Kirchner
14 Bryan Habana
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Jean de Villiers (captain)
11 Lwazi Mvovo
10 Pat Lambie
9 Ruan Pienaar
8 Schalk Burger
7 Willem Alberts
6 Francois Louw
5 Victor Matfield
4 Lood de Jager
3 Jannie du Plessis
2 Bismarck du Plessis
1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes:
16 Adriaan Strauss
17 Trevor Nyakane
18 Coenie Oosthuizen
19 Pieter-Steph du Toit
20 Siya Kolisi
21 Fourie du Preez
22 Handre Pollard
23 JP Pietersen

A few surprises for me here, Damian de Allende has been left out and JP Peterson been brought in on the bench. Coach Meyer opting for experience in the side, also selecting Zane Kirchner over Willie le Roux who hasn’t even made the bench.That being said, the trusted and steady Patrick Lambie starts at 10 and Morne Steyn not  making the match day 23 at all. Meyer has covered his basis with the backline, however, as JP Peterson can double as a centre or a wing. Pat Lambie is a utility back, and even though he’s only been picked as a flyhalf, should the need arise, in this game against Japan, he can play at fullback and centre too. Lwazi Mvovo is wing and fullback which will allow Pat to focus on his role at 10. I won’t be surprised to see the inclusion of Fourie du Preez early in the second half to maximise his game time before the knockout stages of the tournament and JP Peterson coming off the bench for Jean de Villiers. Adriaan Strauss is an obvious swap for Bismark and Trevor will most probably replace Jannie. Pieter-Steph duToit will most likely run on for Victor around the 60th minute of the game. That being said, it is worrisome to think who is going to take over the role of captian, should Jean, Victor and Bismark all be off the field. Leadership reigns could be handed either to Beast, Adriaan, Fourie or even Pat. But only time will tell for the Boks. Kickoff for this game will be at 17:45, on Saturday on SS1, 201.

And in the wise words of FIkile Mbalula, “Moer Hulle!”

Writing for Kovsie Fm Sport, my name is Sam Ludidi.