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With Etzebeth and Kruger performing as they are, is Andries Bekker still considered the best lock currently playing in the country? I honestly don't think so. Before his most recent injury I think the general concensus would have been that he was going to be the no.5 lock and only the no.4 position was up for grabs. I strongly suspect that is not the case anymore. The two new guys have sent a serious message to the Springbok wannabee locks out there. Even before Bekker's latest injury he wasn't playing the same level of rugby that we saw from him before. In my opinion he will pip Flip Van Der Merwe for his spot on the bench, but that is it. Another thing counting against him is his recurring back injury. Maybe his is just too tall??

Bekker brings experience (24 caps) and he is a force that should not be over looked for the Bok squad. Etzebeth is a natural number 4, with experience in this postion. It's hard to sideline Kruger, but I can't see Meyer benching Bekker for the youngsters. He will breed them ready for next world cup and keep the experience and talent of Bekker for the Championship.

But, that is my view.

I think Bekker will be back.   Kruger did well in the tests thus far, but I think he will go onto the bench in the coming Championship and Flip van der Merwe woulod miss the boat.  

Kruger has been solid, nothing special at 5. Bekker is better and bring more grunt. If Bekker is fit he should play

i wasnt sold on kruger when he was selected for the Boks, but after watching the first two tests ive been very impressed with him and all the work he does which IMO seems to go unnoticed. the rucks, mauls and genral support on atk and def, hes always in the thick of things and IMO meyers onto a winning combination with these two.

but bekker is a proven game winner, if it wasnt for his almost trademark run with injuries, he could have been one of the all time greats. a physical behemoth of a player that goes hard every time to let his presence be felt.
i think he will be partenered up with ezebeth come 4nats though, meyer will be wanting a win and needs to play the creme de la creme against the All Blacks and wallabies.
but IMO that would be the wrong way to go, kruger and ezebeth are gelling together very nicely and could play the whole 80 no problems if forced too, the way they have stepped up against england has been a real positive for not only them, but the Boks as a whole. thats why i would leave bekker on the bench come 4nats time, let kruger and ezebeth do what they do and should one or the other be having an off day, tag in bekker, if injury occurs, bekker comes a knocking and if the Boks have their backs to the wall, what a nice sight it would be watching bekker warm up before meyer lets him loose.
this will also help bekker in terms of extending his career, cos injuries always seem to follow him like money problems follow greece, well not that bad, but he does get injured a lot.
 

Agreed Draad - was it last year when he was in peak physical condition, was muscled up and in great form. He was the best lock in the game by some distance. He has struggled this year and does not look nearly as fit - off field issues have added to this. Going through a divorce is a tough one

Saf and DbD, I agree, last year he was awesome. This year he has just not been the same player, although, injuries have kept him out of the game quite a bit. The thing is, a no.5 lock generally doesn't do the really bruising stuff, no.4 is normally the "enforcer" type lock...so work load should not be an issue. At his best, I won't argue, he was untouchable, but it has been more than a year since we last saw that from him, so the question is, do you stick with the talented youngsters who are in form, or do you go with reputation, experience but with poor form?

 The Jury is out on the long term effects of Bekker's injury. He ain't half the player he used to be. that back might come up again and again .... you get what i am sayning. The only thing wher Bekker has Kruger's number is in the fact that he is more Physical, With a bad back, that cancels out. Juandre is the better Lineout manager. without someone like that there, our lineouts are up to crap. just as the Stormers lineouts are up to crap cause i don't rate Bekker as a linout manager, Linout Jumper, YES, Brians behind the work - no.

That is the issue with looking at someone purely from a physical point of view. There is something extra that they should bring as well.

True that Ek.

Well Bekker is getting on now and injuries are playing their part. It would be good if he could give the Boks another 2 good years as when on fire and fully fit he is awesome. I like Jeandre Kruger, but I am just not that convinced about him and that is down to his physicality.

I think the search should be on to find the ideal lock partner for Etzebeth. There are a good few young locks about, one of them needs to step up as Etzebeth has and given Etzebeth can play 5, we should be looking for the best candidate, be it a 4 or 5

 a valid point Saf.

 Bekker is awesome when not injured...can't remember when he last played a full season without injuries.

But he is still Bok material but the powers that be must  mature the younger players....for the future.