With the Grand Slam now out of the equation (thanks to such a disappointing display), I thought it would be a good time to play coach and see what teams you all would pick for the England game. I’ve put the squad below so you can have easy access to make up your 22.
Please put your team in the comments section and say who you’d choose as captain and as kicker, I’ll put mine there as well, once I’ve made up my mind who’ll kick for posts.
Forwards:
Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Keegan Daniel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Bandise Maku, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Deon Stegman, Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe
Backs:
Gio Aplon, Jean de Villiers, Francois Hougaard, Adi Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Morne Steyn
Tweet
i would go with my strongest we have there to get the W against the poms and blood the new guys v Baa Baa’s…
beast
bizzie
jannie
vic
bakkies
spies
smith
alberts
pienaar
lambie
mvovo
de villiers
steyn
odwa
aplon
1. Beast
2. Bissie
3. Jannie (He’ll pick up his game again)
4. Victor (Based on the current group, still our best choice for captain)
5. Bakkies
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts (Can slot in at lock as well if need be)
8. Ryan Kankowski
(An all-Sharks loose trio may just be what the doctor ordered for this tour)
9. Charl McLeod
10. Pat Lambie
(Playing an established half-back pairing may just be crazy enough to work, they should also link up well with the loosies)
11. Mvovo Express
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Pierre Spies (Always wanted to see him play at center)
14. Gio Aplon
15. Frans Steyn (His best position but like a few others he needs to lift his game)
Subs:
Al Hargreaves (Deserves a chance)
Coenie Oosthuizen (As above)
Adriaan Strauss
Juan Smith (Can’t leave him out of any side)
Elton Jantjies (Let’s see what he offers)
Francois Hougaard (Covers scrum-half and wing)
Morne Steyn (Cover for Frans Steyn in case he doesn’t lift his game 🙂 )
And that ladies and gentleman is why I’ll never make it as a national selector. 😀
1. beast
2. bizzy
3. jannie
4. victor
5. bakkies
6. daniel
7. alberts
8. kanko
9. mcleod
10. lambie
11. mvovo
12. jdv
13. adi
14. gio
15. frans
strauss
cj
flip
smith
hougaard
steyn m
odwa
very biased and bit irrational but hey
Mine would be
15. Morne Steyn (Kicker)
14. Aplon
13. Adi
12. JdV
11 Mvovo
10. Lambie
9 McLeod (cause the aother 2 were useless and combo with Lambie and the Loosies)
8. Kanko
7. Alberts
6. Daniels
5. Matfield (Captain)
4. Bakkies
3. Jannie
2. Bissie
1. Beast
I know I know it’s loaded with Sharks but I’m looking at combinations that know each other for this game. That’s why I’ll go 6-10 as Sharks
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : @RuckingFun (Comment 3) : @Pokkel (Comment 4) : Spot the Sharks supporters 😆 😆
15-Aplon
14-Odwa
13-Adi
12-JDV
11-Mvovo
10-Lambie
9-Hougaard
8-Spies
7-Smith
6-Alberts
5-Matfield
4-Bakkies
3-Jannie
2-Bismarck
1-Beast
Subs: Strauss, CJ, Flip, Kanko, Ruan, Morne Steyn, Frans,
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : The more I think about it, the more I tend to agree with Morne Steyn starting at fullback if Pat gets a start at flyhalf.
Let me ask another question, are you guys all happy to let Lambie kick? (except Pokkel – who has catered for Morne)
@vanmartin (Comment 7) : And he’s played there before for the Bulls when Derreck Hougaard was around
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : I was seriously considering putting Odwa at 13 and Adi on the bench but I’m really curious about Spies as a center and what Elton could offer the Springboks
@molly (Comment 8) : Nope, that’s why I tend to agree with Pokkel’s choice with Morne starting at fullback. Does make a lot of sense and will probably take a lot of pressure off Pat on his first start.
@molly (Comment 8) : frans can kick, besides if we play lambie we’ll be scoring lots of trys 😉
@vanmartin (Comment 11) : and they can rotate when nessesary!
15 – Apples
14 – Odders
13 – Adi
12 – Jean
11 – Lwazmeister
10 – Pat
9 – Hougaard (shoot him if he kicks)
8 – Kankowski
7 – Alberts
6 – Daniel
5 – Matfield
4 – Botha
3 – Jannie
2 – Bizness
1 – Beast
16 – Strauss
17 – Oosthuizen
18 – Hargeaves
19 – Smith
20 – Pienaar
21 – M Steyn
22 – F Steyn
My team:
15 – Aplon
14 – Odwa
13 – Adi
12 – JdV
11 – Mvovo
10 – Lambie
9 – Pienaar (he’ll do the kicking)
8 – Alberts
7 – Smith
6 – Keegan
5 – Vic
4 – Bakkies
3 – Dup
2 – Bis
1 – Beast
16 – Strauss
17 – Coenie
18 – Flip
19 – Kanko
20 – Hougaard
21 – Morne
22 – Frans
@robdylan (Comment 14) : You not even going to give McLeod a spot on the bench?
I’m not thrilled about starting Odwa, but we have so few options and I really like Aplon at the back.
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : oh shit… didn’t want to be accused of Sharks bias 😳
1.beast
2.Bissie
3.jannie
4.bakkies
5.Victor
6.Keegan
7.Alberts
8.Spies
9.Hougie
10.Lambie
11.Mvovo
12.Jdv
13.Jacobs
14.Odwa
15.F.Steyn
16. Strauss
17. Coenie
18. Flip
19. Juan
20. Charl
21. Jantjes
22. Aplon
@robdylan (Comment 18) : It is called ‘sharksworld’ remember? 😉
1 Beast
2 Bissie
3 Jannie
4 Bakkies
5 Victor
6 Keegan
7 Alberts
8 Spies
9 Hougaard
10 Lambie
11 Mvovo
12 De Villiers
13 Francois Steyn
14 Odwa
15 Aplon
My side which would beat England, I am sure
Everyone is dropping Juan Smith, I’m shocked.
And, less surprisingly, Morne Steyn is not fairing well.
Also, Spies has made a resurgence.
@molly (Comment 22) : It wasn’t easy dropping Juan but my only reason would be because of combinations.
Beast
Bissy
Jannie
Keegan
Botha
Victora
Smith
Kankow
Hougaardt Pienaars service too slow
Steyn Sticking Lamby in now would only hurt his career
Mvovo
De Villiers
Adi
Aplon
Frans Steyn But then trust Steyn to kick the long kicks and the pressure relieving kicks. That`s what he`s there for.
Strauss
Coenie
Flip
Alberts
Spies
Charl
Odwa
urm . . . still not good enough I`m afraid.. .
@Pokkel (Comment 20) : thanks for reminding me.
Need to call up Sykesie, Dries, Stefan and Louis as well!
@molly (Comment 22) : Not that Juan is playing bad, it is just that we need to find space for Big vic. Also Spies is on the up again, juan seems to stand still when it comes to form, Alberts has been awesome. Nexy year Boks should also give Deysel a go, he made jsut as big an impact for The Sharks and Alberts has done…i heard his recovery is going really well.
and=as
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Would agree with Ludik…Kirchner is shitaki
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Don’t forget Plum 😉
WHY WAS DANIE ROSSOUW NOT CALLED UP?
@JJR (Comment 31) : or dewald potgieter of flo?
Hargreaves is a Shark man, but still…no big Danie? that has saved our ass on tours passed…Play 4,7 and 8…come on!!! On the wet fields he would have been great. Imagine this loose trio in the rain we saw on saturday. 6.Keegan 7. Danie 8. Alberts. Keegan gives us some balance. Juan struggled to get over advantage line and in wet weather you cannot really rely on kankow to get you running over a stubborn defence.
@Pokkel (Comment 32) : No offence 🙂 , but to be honest i really don’t rate those 2. Flo is super inconsistent form wise and potgieter is a off form Keegan daniel. Keegan is never off form, so we don’t need Pottie. Simple he weighs too little, can’t fetch either…Keegan might be light too, but has pace to back him up.
@JJR (Comment 31) : Afraid he`ll get tested for banned substances like some other bulls perhaps? 😈
Bandise Maku?…don’t wanna say the p word, becuase it is against the rules, but shesh why does this guy get selected? Cooper is young and can make an impact off the bench, and gives a good scrum…why not give him some experience with the squad, because he can develop into a Springbok hooker, just give him a year or 2.
@Original Champion (Comment 35) : 🙂 Danie vs Hargreaves…who would you fear more when it is raining down and he has got ball in hand at full pace?
@JJR (Comment 36) : You want to go straight to Cooper and skip Burden altogether?
@JJR (Comment 37) : Groot Daan Of Course . . . .
I just can`t resist the temptation to stick the boot in when a BULLS(eye) present itself hehehehe
@Pokkel (Comment 38) : Burds is awesome, but i would prefer cooper for the overseas fields…we play in SA, obviously burden deserves to get the nod ahead of him. Cooper acts like a second number 7, which really helps in these tour games, especially when the Boks don’t know if they gonna run or maul…they were clueless on Sat.
@JJR (Comment 37) : you can’t compare Danie and Hargeaves, for goodness sake. They play completely different positions!
@Original Champion (Comment 39) : Funny guy hey 😉 Don’t like the bulls, but i won’t lie, i always prefer the bigger stronger guy when it comes to almost anything to do with rugby 15’s.
Obviously exceptions can be made when it comes to halfback positions.
@robdylan (Comment 41) : I know, but Victor is always gonna be at 5, he won’t be rested. I prefer to have then a squad player, that can cover all the positions he can. Ok imagine vic does get hurt. I will still choose danie to play 5 over hargreaves, cause i feel the ability to be strong in the maul and carry the ball up is more important than be a slighlty better line out jumper…on overseas tour that is. Also say big vic gets hurt. We only have juan as a good consistent ball carrier…juan also has his off days…the option of having Danie on the bench puts your nerves at rest. A world class player that can play 4, 7 and 8.
@JJR (Comment 44) : you rate Danie a LOT more highly than I do. One of those okes that’s been around for ages, yet never seems to actually DO anything. He was good at 8 in the World Cup, I’ll give him that. Otherwise? Overrated and uninspiring. All beard and no brains.
15. Frans Steyn
14. Gio Aplon
13. Adi Jacobs
12. Jean De Villiers
11. Mvovo
10. Lambie
9. McLeod
8. Kanko
7. Alberts
6. Keegan
5. Victor
4. Flip
3. Jannie
2. Bissie
1. Beast
Coenie, Strauss, Al, Juan, Ruan, Houg, Jantjies
Lambie to do the kicking, as he did in the finals. Ask him which ones he’s confident to pop over, otherwise go for touch.
Play Sharks loosie as combo and also McLeod for Lambie’s first start.
Go for the win, but more importantly go play a good game of rugby. I think if we could go out and score a few good tries and do a few good things people would be even happier with that type of loss, than winning by scraping through on penalties.
Btw, if Lambie started the Scotland game, we may have had a chance of winning, just because we would have gone for the 5 more. Morne put over the 3 every time, but with a ref that’s gonna give the 3 on the other side of the field every time. You had to get the upper hand by go for the tries.
That may be a trick SA missed. The Scots would have buckled under the pressure had we score a try or two within the first 20 min.
England will be a different prospect, but ball in hand will still be the best chance we’ll have of beating them, I’ve selected a team that will be best with that game plan in mind.
Btw, I thought Kanko had a great game, especially considering what his teammates were doing. He made good meters, was everywhere on the field and strong on defense. I would start him regardless of what the rest of the team looks like.
To be honest hargeraves is not really gonna cut it for the Bokke. Andries bekker is injured and Mostert…i feel is a better option even at 5 compared to Allie. Yes he is very good at the lineouts but not great. Everything else he does is just good, nothing above the ordinary Cheetahs locks.
@Letgo (Comment 46) : I know Lambie is good, but is it best for the Boks to change the whole team around one player? Surely that player should suit the team?
I may just leave Ruan out of that reserves. But who to replace him? Morne? Just because he can kick. I don’t think so. Ruan to cover 9 and Houg to cover wing. Jantjies to get a chance at some point.
@molly (Comment 48) : If it will make the team better, then yes!
I’m a bit concerned how much all the sharks supporters are building up Lambie, thats putting the extra pressure on him.
Not the few kicks he’s been given in the matches.
Quite a few people are building him up to be the difference between winning or losing a game, when we need to keep in mind its a team sport. Our backline has looked terrible, our forwards don’t seem to be trying to keep the ball, yet we’d score more tries with him? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a massive talent, I just don’t think he’s going to make that much of a difference, yet.
@robdylan (Comment 45) : I rate him very highly as a squad player… here is my selection order when it comes to locks in SA. 4-bakkies,Danie,Flip,Mostert 5-Vic,Bekker, Mossie. Just don’t rate hargeraves higher than these okes…my mind will never change…many have tried to alter my thoughts on Hargreaves, btu it has never really lasted.
Oh forgot i will even go for Skeate ahead of Allie…sorry just how i see things.
Moly, you can’t make players change the style they play in one week. The Boks have clearly been training in a kicking type of game plan. This is why Ruan, Houg and Morne has looked crap, at times, because of the decision making.. I’m tempted to even move jean out of the center position, because all he does is cut inside, but I have an idea that has more to do with his 10 than himself. Jean is a brilliant player and will up his game as soon as the coach implement a game more suited to his style of play, which is attacking.
I’m not saying McLeod should replace our top scrummies from now on, I just feel like he would be the best player to implement the type of game plan that I would use if I were the coach. (This would be his chance to prove himself though, so I wouldn’t count him out completely either!)
@molly (Comment 51) : Agree, he has made the difference for the Sharks, but it will take a bit more time before he can do it for us at international level…but i am 100% sure he will. Things can also change fast when a bit of extra confidence is picked up.
@molly (Comment 22) : smith is in my side any day…i would not drop him if he had no legs…he is that good!!!
@molly (Comment 51) : I think it’s more about the game that the boks will play when Lambie is on the field. You could also start with Jantjies or … Ruan maybe, or without a 10, as long as the first receiver of the ball does not kick it away. I know Lambie won’t kick the ball away and that’s why we’ll score more tries with him on the field. I don’t think his individual skills has much to do with it!
15-Fat Steyn
14-Appels
13-Adi
12-JDV
11-Mvovo
10-Klein Steyn
9-Hougaard
8-Spies
7-Smith
6-Daniels 😉
5-Matfield
4-Bakkies
3-Jannie
2-Bismarck
1-Beast
@McLovin (Comment 58) : You persist with Steyn then you persist with the lets kick every ball away game. Why? 😕
@McLovin (Comment 58) : I get that you’ll pick Spies and Juan, because if they’re both on their game they make for a solid combo and can plan any game plan, but Steyn. I would like all who made that selected to back it with a few sane 😉 reasons.
@McLovin (Comment 58) : And I know hougie can deliver clean and quick ball for a more running type game, so again, I’m cool with that selection, but you’re not going to get anything but the mess the boks delivered this weekend if you keep selecting Steyn.
Morne Steyn hasn’t even been playing bad rugby, just Morne Steyn rugby. He’s not going to bring anything else. I agree with selecting him at 15, if you really, really want him there for the kicks, but when he’s on the field we won’t go for the tries ever and that annoys me, because I know we can score them if we just give ourselves the chance.
@Letgo (Comment 60) : 80% kicker vs 60% kicker. It`s a no brainer, Steyn has to start.
My team:
1. Beast
2. Bissie
3. Jannie
4. Hargreaves
5. Matfield
6. Keegs
7. Alberts
8. Kanko
9. Hougaard
10.Lambie
11.Mvovo
12.Jdv
13.Adi
14.Aplon
15.F.steyn
@Letgo (Comment 62) : I don’t think its Morne as a player that is wrong, its the game plan, if you tell Morne to run it more, I’m sure he will. And as you said “as long as the first receiver of the ball does not kick it away” it doesn’t really matter who you put there.
Morne knows how to pass and has done so in the past.
@JJR (Comment 53) : JJR – from what you’re saying, I’m starting to wonder if you have some sort of personal grudge against Alistair. I’m afraid I need something more to go on than “I just rate XXX higher than him”. Can you provide any deeper analysis to substantiate this?
Look, I guess it’s ok to simply not rate someone. I don’t rate Kirchner, plain and simple. It doesn’t really matter what he does, I still won’t rate him. But he’s a Bull, after all, not a Shark.
@molly (Comment 65) : it’s not just Morne… the whole backline is lining up so ridiculously deep that even if the passing were better, there’s no way any of them could ever cross the advantage line. I’m not sure if the flyhalf is calling the alignment of the rest of the backs, or whether that’s a coaching thing.
@Original Champion (Comment 63) : Especially against a team like England. For the Baabaa’s no problem, nothing can be as bad as how Frans performed against (or was it for) them, drop goal after drop goal after drop goal.
@Ben (Comment 64) :and on the bench.
16. Strauss
17. Coenie
18. Flippit
19. Juan
20. Mcleod
21. Jantjies
22. Odwa
With lambie kicking at goal
I’m not going to debate about this further. I’ll just say we won’t win with Morne starting. We’ll have a good chance to win with Lambie starting.
We’ll be able to proof the first part right, unfortunately not to proof the second part wrong. So what’s the point of debating. Lambie won’t start, Morne will. He will kick 80-90% of all his kicks and the Boks will still lose.
That’s my prediction.
Good luck to the Boks though.
Wonder what that BaaBaa team would look like? Some suggestions??
@Original Champion (Comment 71) : from what I read its gonna be one mean backline
@Letgo (Comment 70) : I agree with you
@Ben (Comment 72) : link??
@Letgo (Comment 70) : I also go with you on that.
1 Beast
2 Bissie
3 Jannie
4 Bakkies
5 Victor (captain)
6 Juan
7 Alberts
8 Spies
9 Hougaard
10 M. Steyn (kicker)
11 Mvovo
12 Lambie
13 De Villers
14 Aplon
15 F Steyn
16 CJ
17 Maku
18 Flip
19 Kanko
20 Pienaar
21 Jantjies
22 Zane
We need morne in the team as Lambie desperately needs to learn how to kick. Lambie at 12 because morne can’t really play anywhere but flyhalf. Maku on the bench as he is a big unit and mobile. Jantjies needs a chance, he is a great playmaker and an excellent kicker, i’m probably going to get stick for this but i think Lambie’s best position is centre.
1 – Beast
2 – Bismarck
3 – Jannie
None of these three can rightly be said to have played too much rugby this year, and frankly, I for one would not like to tackle England with an unsettled front row
4 – Bakkies
5 – Alastair
Victor has played a lot of rugby this year and can play off the bench. Alastair outplayed Vic in the CC semi, and is deserving of a proper chance to prove his credentials at the highest level. Bakkies, on the other hand, could probably use more game time, and will provide some experience in the second row.
6 – Keegan
7 – Big Vic
8 – Ryan
This combination proved very successful in the CC, has a nice balance to it, and should also be given a thorough examination at this level. Leaving Juan out may be construed as too radical, but I think Big Vic has displayed both the aptitude and attitude to succeed at this level. Kanko showed against Scotland the he may yet be a good northern hemisphere no. 8, but needs an extended run in the position.
9 – Ruan/Charl
I’m still undecided about this one; Ruan can in theory take some of the place-kicking pressure off Pat, but then again, Charl’s service has had a lot to do with Pat good form
10 – Pat
11 – Lwazi
12 – Jean (captain)
13 – Adi
Adi is often criticised for his defence; unfairly so in my opinion. While he’s not likely to dominate the tackle like Jacque Fourie, he’s not likely to do worse than what we have, and his incisive running will at least lend us a bit of strike power in the midfield.
14 – Odwa
15 – Gio
16 – CJ
17 – Adriaan
18 – Victor
19 – Juan
20 – Ruan/Charl
21 – Morne
22 – Francois Steyn
@robdylan (Comment 66) : Why i don’t rate him-
1-Shows hardly any aggression in whatever he does…allmost like if andre pretorius were in hargreaves’s body.
2- Doesn’t go fullout…rather than dropping the shoulder when making a tackles, he would rather ride the tackle or use the easy tackle, which is hold onto upper legs and lean back…the guy will fall over.
3- Crash ball or ball running…he starts moving towards the ground before contact is even made and what i know about that is that he is really not keen to take that contact.
4- Simply i think he is a bit of a sissy when it comes to playing in the tight 5…oh and at high school he got bounced about 5 times in 1 day by the same guy. Jean cordy 1.72- 100kg. Hargeraves was definitely over 2m and at least 100ish, he has never really gone full out on defence or ball carrying. He does what is required, but doesn’t go the extra yard…i can see it everytime he gets the ball. Nothing personal against him, but i think he is the only shark i have ever not liked. Ruan vs Hougaard…same thing hougie goes fullout, but Ruan taller and aroung same weight doesn’t show that same commitment and aggresion…really frustrating. I really used to dislike Dries…but he has shown some real commitment and hard work (Legend) and if hargreaves can do the same, i might change my mind.
this is why i love this site ! Experimantal side ;
1.Beast(lh)
2.Bismarc
3.Jannie(th)
4.Bakkies
5.Flip(vict a rest)
6.Daniels
7.Juan(c)
8.Spies
9.Mcleod
10….Depending on conditions & centers ,Would like to see Ruan
at 10 then lambie maybe at 12-just as an idea -with jdv at 13
so….
10.Pienaar
12.Lambie
13.Devilliers—->Back 3 ,11.Mvovo 15.Steyn 14.Habana -even with a broken hand he is better than aplon ;)jokes aplon at 14
or…
10.Lambie
12.Devilliers
13.Jacobs
then back 3 of 11.Mvovo 15.steyn 14.pienaar
However this is more than likely not going to happen.
😳 @baw (Comment 78) : Spelling
must say I am surprised how many first XV Charl made. In all honesty CC not exactly internationals. It must be a Sharks’ fan site
@rekinek (Comment 80) : Well if we look at it objectively he definately bought something to the sharks succes ,his pace of delivery and acuracy of passing was what alowed us to play the style of rugby we did ,it meant the ball was always in play ,in our possesion and there was a constant attacking threat …
@baw (Comment 81) : yes. but have in mind opposition, conditions and the rest of the team.
@rekinek (Comment 82) :True ,unless he is chosen i guess we will never know .Also i want to see ruan at wing with frans steyn at fullback and imo if i go with lambie at 10 ,i would have Charl purely becuase of the understanding they would have and frankly mcleod has a better pass than hougard ,which to me has become a seriously under valued trade amongst supporters when choosing a scrumhalf,pienaar is a good passer and so is fdp
@baw (Comment 78) : with this side we have a huge t5 ,big fast strong and skill full back row that can run any team of their feet.
Back3 with ruan ,frans and mvovo has all the kicking and attacking flair one could want -that could also add something we dont seem to have is a counter attacking threat from the back(other teams expect us to go for line outs ,now we have big back 3 capable of running from deep like the ausies do, kick into better posistion ,for me that back 3 is ideal and will give us an edge we are lacking) and the midfield of lambie jdv and adi is as skillful as one could possibly hope to have .Bring on vicor and alberts at half time with morne and play a different game completely,play the bulls brand again …two stratergies in one game ,who could adapt to that ?
@baw (Comment 84) : what about this ene-eyed supporter’s backline 😉
9-charl
10 – ruan
11- mvowo
12 – lambie
13 – adi
14 – ndungane
15 – steyn
all available
1- beast
2- bismarck
3 – jannie
4 – hargreaves
5 – big vic
6 – daniel
7 – big vic will have to cover this one as well
8 – kankowski
@rekinek (Comment 80) : must be!
@rekinek (Comment 86) : I can’t see how you’re going to get away with that. Get somebody to drop a dumbbell on Bakkies’s foot so we can get Sykes over there pronto
@robdylan (Comment 88) : why not –
are you implying that Big Vic can’t cover for lock or play 2 positions at once – don’t you remember who wears Big Vic’s pyjamas
@rekinek (Comment 89) : you’re right – my bad. Of course he can.
BTW, something that struck me this weekend is just how BIG Bismarck is. The bloke is virtually the same size as Willem Alberts.
ok let me C the sharks won the CC 2010 why nt use them ok i know
but they always say maak die Bulle almal Bokke so i just tried
15 F Steyn but then he must up his game and hv his golden boots on
14 Odwa
13 Adi
12 Lambie
11 Mvovo
10 Raun / M Steyn
9 Mcleod
8 kanko
7 Smith
6 Daniels
5 Matfield just because he is the Captain
4 Bakkies has [email protected]
3 Jannie
2 Bismarck
1 Beast
@baw (Comment 82) : Not even mentioning how well he attacks the fringes of the ruck. Something I’d like to have seen more of in this tour.
@chaz (Comment 91) : DanielS?? – jy gaan raas kry!!!
5 & 4 – please omit and replace with suitable players from any other team but the Bulls – those two might just be the reason(s) for another loss! 👿
1)Beast
2)Bismark
3)Jannie
4)Bakkies
5)Matfield
6)Alberts
7)Juan Smith
8)Spies
9)Pienaar
10)M Steyn
11)Mvovo
12)JDV
13)Jacobs
14)Hougaard
15)F Steyn
16)Strauss
17)CJ
18)Flip
19)Kanko
20)McLeod
21)Pat
22)Aplon
Im a huge Lambie fan but we wont win with him starting. His kicking will let us down. He seriously needs to take his time with those kicks. He was rock solid in the CC final but he is not keeping the board ticking. I think this English team will beat us either way. They looked really good on the weekend. Their backs seem to find holes were our backs keep running into defenders without looking to offload. Quite simple really
@chaz (Comment 91) :
Just watched the England, new Zeeland game and agree with that team sans, Steyn, Steyn, Matfield and Beast. All a player can get on Saturday is a ruined reputation. World Cup prospects going down with the coach. My advice, fake injury.
It seems like the weather is going to be awfull on Saturday with a possibility of snow. This will of course impct on the team selected.
In that case I would go for
15. Frans Steyn
14. Aplon
13. Jacobs
12. JdV
11. Mvovo
10 Morne
9 Pienaar( cause he knows the conditions)
8. Spies
7.Juan
6.Alberts
5 Matfield
4 Bakkies
3 Jannie
2 Bissie
1. Beast.
Why was the whole Sharks squad not called up for the Tour 🙄
Not enough Sharks Quota 😆
15. F.Steyn
14. Aplon
13. Jacobs
12. M.Steyn
11. Mvovo
10. Lambie
9. Mcleod
8. Alberts
7. Smith
6. Daniel
5. Matfield
4. Vd Merwe
3. J.du Plessis
2. B.du Plessis
1. Oosthuizen
Reserves
16. Strauss
17. Vd Linde
18. Hargreaves
19. Kankowski
20. Hougaardt
21. Pienaar
22. Ndugane
Well let me throw my 3cents into the ring.
I think Coenie oosthuizen should start- he was the form prop in the CC and is mobile for a big lad. Stegman has been a passenger so leave him on the bus and let Alberts start with Smith and Spies- you dont need a “fetcher”…the whole team should be doing that anyway! I would switch the centres around as i think JDV would run off Steyn well – if Steyn passed the ball. I would leave the rest of the backline the same. On the bench i would rather hav mccloed than pienaar-he still looks sulky. And then im sorry to say but Pat you have had your chnace this tour…lets see what Janjies can offer from the bench. Although I would probably rather have them both on the bench at the expense of Jacobs. But as we all know PDV will play the same team that played last week barring Kanko.
Starting Lambie at 10 could prove fatal for the lad, we’re proably going to loose on Saturday, and why let him be the one that takes the blame.
JDV CANNOT start at 12, he has been useless and one-dimensional this whole tour.
Therefore, put Lambie at 12, and either move JDV to 13 or start with Adi.
My team:
1 Oosthuizen (Beast is injured)
2 Bismark
3 Jannie
4 Botha
5 Matfield
6 Keegan
7 Juan
8 Alberts
9 Hougaard
10 Morne (Pienaar as cover)
11 Mvovo
12 Lambie
13 JDV
14 Aplon
15 Frans Steyn
@Ozbok (Comment 94) : i was somewhat surprised that they asked lambie to kick having both F Steyn and Pienaar on the field.
I don’t mean that they are better kickers but for these 2 one more miss will do nothing but for lambie it can dent his confidence really.
@CSB Aplon’s Biggest Fan ! (Comment 98) : you must look at my team – 100% compliant 😆