“Because of the unbelievable passion of the people, the Springbok coach is always in trouble! I thought I was going to get a medal for choosing Heinrich Brussow, but now everyone is unhappy that I didn’t pick Jaco Kriel. I thought everyone would be happy I didn’t choose Pierre Spies, but now people send me messages saying I should have. And in the Cape they’re swearing at me for not picking Nizaam Carr!” Meyer said, laughing.
“Of course you feel the pressure from outside, websites screaming at you, but I don’t take emotional decisions. Heinrich is one of the most passionate Springboks around, but I think he lost a lot of speed and some of his strong points in the last couple of years. But it really helped him to go to Japan, he came back lighter and he was playing brilliant rugby. I’m very sorry he got injured because he was playing his best rugby for a long time and he made me change my mind. I wanted to give him a couple of Tests …”
The Springbok coach stressed the importance of selecting the right players for specific roles.
“I think Francois Louw is close to being the best openside in the world and he can jump in the lineout. Every second guy in the defensive line needs to be able to steal ball, but you want your openside to be able to secure your own ball.
“Marcell Coetzee is not a specialist opensider, but he’s an unbelievable player because he can play both sides and can come off the bench as an impact player. But if Francois Louw is injured then you want a specialist and it’s very difficult to choose between Brussow and Kriel,” Meyer explained.
