Eeni meeni miini moh...

There has been a lot of talk lately about Springbok coach, Peter De Villiers, using the one off test against Wales on 5 June 2010, just 5 days after the close of the 2010 Super 14 competition, to test overseas based Springboks before the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

By the looks of it, De Villiers will select just two contracted players from each of South Africa’s five franchises for the game at the Millennium Stadium, meaning a chance will be given to those currently playing their trade abroad. Those players left behind will be given time to rest and focus on the upcoming 2010 Tri Nations competition.

De Villiers was quoted in the Times newspaper as saying:

“Our focus will definitely be on the Tri-Nations this year, given that we play our first game of the tournament at the same venue where we’ll be based for next year’s World Cup. We’d be stupid not to focus on that game and, by extension, on the entire Tri-Nations tournament. I will take only two (contracted) Boks to Wales from each franchise, at most.”

De Villiers has said that he will respect the ethos of the Springbok traditions and not just cap new players for the sake of this experiment, so in essence, this one-off test will act as a trial for those players who already have a Springbok cap, to push for possible inclusion in the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup squad.

That being said, I have decided to take a look at the career’s of some of these overseas based Springboks and see what they’ve been up to during their time abroad.

Joe van Niekerk

Joe van Niekerk was plucked straight from age group levels in 2001, after captaining both the Springbok u19 and u21 teams respectively, and never having appeared in either the Currie Cup or Super 14. He made his test debut against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Joe is a versatile, mobile loose forward with great hands and gas to burn. He isn’t scared of taking on, and backing himself for pace, against any back line player the opposition has to offer.

Career Stats:

• Date of Birth: 1980-05-14 (29)
• Height: 193 cm
• Weight: 105 Kg
• Test caps: 51
• Test points: 50 (10T)

Teams represented:

• South African Schools 1997 – 1998
• South Africa U19 1998
• South Africa U21 2000 – 2001
• South African Sevens 2001
Gauteng Lions U21 1998 – 2001
Gauteng Lions
Lions Super 12 Team 2003
Stormers Super 14 Team
Western Province
Springboks
Rugby Club Toulonnais Toulon) France 2008 – present

This is what “Big Joe” van Niekerk has been up to: [Toulon4ever]

But is he needed?

For: Experience can’t be bought and Joe has 51 caps behind his name. He has good hands and is one of the quickest loosies around, which is a great asset from the back of the scum, 5m out. He’s a great runner with ball in hand and links well with the backs.

Against: In a country that is currently so abundant with extremely talented loose forwards, with the likes of Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow, the smart money would say that “Big Joe” isn’t really needed.

What are your views? Would you pick “Big Joe” to be in your 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup squad?