Houggard or Fourie du Preez

Which is the better option at #9 for South Africa should they end up taking on Australia and New Zealand in the knock out stages.

FDP has looked distinctly average in his games so far.

I disagree , FDp bought so much control to the namibia game which Hougaard lacked ,Hougi should be used off the bench or at wing at least for the rest of the world cup

Bullsbok wrote:I disagree , FDp bought so much control to the namibia game which Hougaard lacked ,Hougi should be used off the bench or at wing at least for the rest of the world cup

I'd be inclined to say Hougaard myself. I think du Preez hasn't been the same player he was.

Fourie has seemed out of touch so far (didn't see tonight), but he's too good to stay out of it indefinitely. Hougard is good though. I thought he was dangerous when he replaced fdp last year.

Nobody would really starrt hougaard over Fourie , not a chance he's just not tactically good enough to be on the same standard

Ashwin willemse said it best after todays game.

You need both, Fourie du Preez because he brings a calmness and control to the match and hougaard for his exuberence of youth and the energetic way he plays.

Perhaps then half and half.

Rather have to pick from those two instead of Weepu, Cowan and Ellis...

i agree have them both on the pitch , Habana got his record today but his reign his over , shift Hougaard to 11 and between them aplon and jpp can slug it out for the 14

Bullsbok, JP is in a different class than Gio.

JPP has off games though ,too many of them . Its only against Fiji that he looked like his old self whereas Aplon is a superb attacker and was the shining light in the doomed Bok team that toured Australasia during this years 3N

Sorry mate will never agree with you, JP Pietersen has not once had an off game at the RWC, his defence is as solid as the day is long, he looks for work and may not be flash, but that is all you expect from Gio, a little flash and shaky on defence.

Cumon Biltong before the Fiji game people where calling for JP's head and he probably got away with less publicity becuase more people wanted Smits!!!!

Du Preez has been injured for many months, his Super 15 season wasn't that great either.

Im liking Hougaard alot, very skiful player who has offered something extra for South Africa only a couple of games ago. He makes things happen just like Du Preez, but form wise I would actually start Hougaard.

Bullsbok wrote:Cumon Biltong before the Fiji game people where calling for JP's head and he probably got away with less publicity becuase more people wanted Smits!!!!

Who?

I heard many complain about Habana, but nothing on JP.

http://www.keo.co.za/2011/09/12/boks-vs-wales-1030-ko/

Keohane and his buddies are negative at the best of times but they were spot on here ...just one of the articles i've reads over the weeks

I don't read Keo, he believes his own hype and is controversial for the sake of attention most of the time.

question then , when was the last time jpp had a decent game besides fiji

Bullsbok, he started at the sharks after his injury and immediately played decent rugby.

What did you want him to do differently in the wales match?

Or the Last two Tri nation tests?

Australia test, 4 runs, 21 meters, 1 offload, 3 tackles non missed.
NZ test, 11 runs, 66 meters, 2 passes, 1 clean break, 1 defender beaten, 3 tackles 1 missed.
Wales test, 6 runs, 18 meters, 1 pass, 3 tackles, none missed
Fiji test, 13 runs, 121 meters, 5 passes, 4 defenders beaten, 2 offloads, 3 tackles non missed.

So he has missed 1 tackle in 4 tests.
He has had 34 runs gaining 226 meters


not flash, but solid.

De Preez brings so much to SA's game.

He offers more than just a quick pass and a steady pair of hands... he takes a lot of pressure off Morne, often has his fair share of the kicking duties and brings a lot of players into the game.

The sort of 9 hougaard is requires an all singing & dancing playmaking 10 which Morne is not. He offers a lot with his own all action style of play but Du Preez compliments Morne more.. and combinations matter.

fa0019 wrote:De Preez brings so much to SA's game.

He offers more than just a quick pass and a steady pair of hands... he takes a lot of pressure off Morne, often has his fair share of the kicking duties and brings a lot of players into the game.

The sort of 9 hougaard is requires an all singing & dancing playmaking 10 which Morne is not. He offers a lot with his own all action style of play but Du Preez compliments Morne more.. and combinations matter.

+1

And its a nice change of emphasis for the Boks bringing on players like Alberts/Hougaard/Aplon(de jongh/lambie - whoever!) in the last 15/20 minutes as the game starts to break up.

i think fourie dupreeze should start and hougaard come on with about 20 mins left

cricketfan90 wrote:i think fourie dupreeze should start and hougaard come on with about 20 mins left

That is basically how PDV sees it as well.