Barbarian game papered over the cracks

I can't share the enthusiasm of most commentators for the Boks' display against the Barbarians last Sunday.

It was a remarkable comeback and there were some exciting tries, but let's not forget it was essentially a festival game. The Baabaas were thrown together for the first time and some had tired legs by the end of 80 minutes' running. And the ref ignored blatant cardable offences.

Yet the lack of midfield defence was still there, the flyhalf problem was not solved, Gaffie du Toit was mediocre at fullback, Joost took his time clearing the ball and we need another aggressive lock.

In the end, only Breyton Paulse, Chester Williams, Willie Meyer and Ollie le Roux emerged with enhanced reputations. Had we played a well-organised team like the Wallabies or New Zealand, it would have been a different story. There is hard work ahead.

Flyhalf problem

Certain voices in the north now want the Stormers to release two of their Springbok flyhalves so that Harry Viljoen can observe them all in the No 10 jersey. What nonsense.

If Alan Solomons prefers to play Chris Rossouw at flyhalf, Braam van Straaten at centre (his best position in any case) and Percy in his proper place at fullback, it is his right to do so.

Or is Ellis Park ready to discard Louis Koen and Loftus Jaco van der Westhuyzen? Should they not look at home talent instead of poaching and buying players from the south?

Boland look in

Alan Solomons is sure to use some of Boland's talent in the Stormers.

Centre Marius Joubert would be my first pick at centre, with the much improved Wayne Julies (provided he has got over his injury) a good replacement. Joubert's ability to break a line, run straight and hard and his speed is something the Men in Black sorely need. Prop Carel van der Merwe could also fill Toks van der Linde or Cobus Visagie's boots in the front row.

Boland and SWD have not sold their games to Newlands, so there will be two Stormers games fewer. In true WPRU style this will no doubt not be considered when season-ticket prices are increased.

Sense for Sevens

At last we are compiling a side for the World Cup Sevens, to be held in Argentina at the end of January, that will be competitive. Breyton Paulse, Deon Kayser, Marius Joubert, Pieter Rossouw, Andre Venter, Albert van den Berg, Chester Williams, Thinus Delport and Bob Skinstad have been asked to make themselves available for trials.

Imagine a side with Delport, Williams, Paulse, Joubert, Skinstad, Van der Berg and Venter taking on Fiji, the Wallabies or the All Blacks. Hell, we may even reach the semifinals with ease.

Wrong award

Giving the Man of the Match award to the ground staff at the Wanderers during South Africa's third and final Test against New Zeland was ridiculous. Boeta Dippenaar should have been rewarded for his maiden century.

If there was effective crowd control at a packed Newlands, would the award could go to the security staff?

At least we were spared a repeat of Hansie's now infamous declaration last season against England. No doubt the King Commission was watching.

Kiwis were wet

The Kiwi cricket tour was a damp squib (not just the last Test) and judging by the lack of spectators, it must have cost the United Cricket Board some money. New Zealand peaked in Kenya and could never reach the same heights again.

Hopefully the Sri Lankans will provide better opposition. Only then will we see if Ntini, Boje, McKenzie and Dippenaar are really the next generation of stars.

Oxford need Bok help

Oxford took the annual rugby game against Cambridge for the second year in a row. This time Werner Gey van Pittius (who had a few games for Province earlier this year) was the South African in the Dark Blues side. He also scored one of Oxford's tries.

Seems Oxford can only do it if they have help from the land of the Springbok.