France v South Africa

Anyone actually gonna watch? I am not really sure if I should… Comment 1, posted at 18.11.17 20:33:22 by T-Shark

Watching Ireland play Fiji is just rubbing salt into the wound and underlines just how embarrassing the Boks were last weekend! 17-17 after 63 minutes… Comment 2, posted at 18.11.17 20:57:10 by pastorshark

20-20 just on 70 minutes… Comment 3, posted at 18.11.17 21:05:09 by pastorshark

Yeah, no. This team no longer deserves my time Comment 4, posted at 18.11.17 21:11:00 by Die Kriek

Ooooohhhh…Scotland ALMOST win it at the death!!! Hogg just couldn’t get away. What a game! Comment 5, posted at 18.11.17 21:11:35 by pastorshark

@T-Shark (Comment 1) : I wouldn’t at this point the results are just numbers no real result of definitive indication of what the team is capable of. We know they’ve not selected or coached to the full potential. It’s just going through the motions of flaming out against real competition and then scraping by against lesser teams and every media monkey saying were on the right track after recording what used to be an expected taken for granted win in yhe past. What does it actually achieve? Comment 6, posted at 18.11.17 21:20:03 by coolfusion

Ireland scrape home 23-20…Fiji gave them a real fright! Comment 7, posted at 18.11.17 21:21:46 by pastorshark

So I’m going to watch this… Comment 8, posted at 18.11.17 22:01:15 by pastorshark

Well, the intensity looks better straight away…but Ross Cronje still can’t kick for s*$%! Comment 9, posted at 18.11.17 22:03:25 by pastorshark

Great attack by France and equally great turnover by Marx… Comment 10, posted at 18.11.17 22:04:28 by pastorshark

Really good try by the Boks…forwards and backs doing their thing… Comment 11, posted at 18.11.17 22:12:23 by pastorshark

Leyds scores. SA looking a lot better Comment 12, posted at 18.11.17 22:12:41 by Bokhoring

Pollard is so much better than Jantjies…much more sure and direct… Comment 13, posted at 18.11.17 22:13:04 by pastorshark

5-0 after 8 minutes… Comment 14, posted at 18.11.17 22:13:34 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 12) : Much better… Comment 15, posted at 18.11.17 22:16:16 by pastorshark

Much better box kick from Cronje gives SA a scrum. But then shocking pass from Pollard gives France the ball Comment 16, posted at 18.11.17 22:16:33 by Bokhoring

Pollard looking very rusty Comment 17, posted at 18.11.17 22:17:48 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 12) : Mind you, DDA not being there alone already makes a huge difference… Comment 18, posted at 18.11.17 22:18:40 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 17) : He still gives our backline far more direction…mind you, DDA not being there must also improve this area immeasurably… Comment 19, posted at 18.11.17 22:20:24 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 18) : For sure Comment 20, posted at 18.11.17 22:22:27 by Bokhoring

8-0 to the Boks after 17 minutes… Comment 21, posted at 18.11.17 22:23:50 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 19) : France need to watch him as he will take the half gap. He just needs to get into the swing of things Comment 22, posted at 18.11.17 22:24:07 by Bokhoring

Owen Nkumane actually just said “The cheese cake was very good!” And then corrected it to “The kick chase was very good!” 😆 😆 😆 Comment 23, posted at 18.11.17 22:25:39 by pastorshark

Kicking from bot sides equally awful Comment 24, posted at 18.11.17 22:29:32 by Bokhoring

Marx killing the French at the breakdown Comment 25, posted at 18.11.17 22:31:56 by Bokhoring

Boks let a kick bounce and French 10 scores under the poles Comment 26, posted at 18.11.17 22:34:28 by Bokhoring

Boks woeful under the high ball, woeful on defence and France score…ai… Comment 27, posted at 18.11.17 22:34:32 by pastorshark

Pisspoor tackling from Kriel Comment 28, posted at 18.11.17 22:34:51 by Bokhoring

8-7 Comment 29, posted at 18.11.17 22:35:15 by Bokhoring

7-8 after 28 minutes… Comment 30, posted at 18.11.17 22:36:10 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 28) : Even mallet wants Am there, now we know why Comment 31, posted at 18.11.17 22:37:02 by jdolivier

France suddenly playing with a lot more energy and direction Comment 32, posted at 18.11.17 22:39:07 by Bokhoring

@jdolivier (Comment 31) : Venter plus Am would look a lot better Comment 33, posted at 18.11.17 22:40:55 by Bokhoring

Etzebeth playing 10 too often. Comment 34, posted at 18.11.17 22:42:55 by Bokhoring

Pollard has left quite a few points off the sheets through missed penalties Comment 35, posted at 18.11.17 22:50:01 by Bokhoring

So at least this time there a bits that llok quite good…problem is: too often we are still just crap! Comment 36, posted at 18.11.17 22:58:05 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 36) : Fortunately France is pretty crap as well Comment 37, posted at 18.11.17 22:58:51 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 28) : Kriel’s defence is just always poor…can’t have that! Give Am his shot against Italy! Comment 38, posted at 18.11.17 22:59:11 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 35) : Pollard 1 from 4…I think Venter has made the biggest difference in the back line. Now get Am there and we’re moving in a different direction. Then a proper wing and we’ll be a few more steps better… Comment 39, posted at 18.11.17 23:01:07 by pastorshark

Mallett and co agrees – Venter has made a major difference on attack Comment 40, posted at 18.11.17 23:01:09 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 40) : Snap… Comment 41, posted at 18.11.17 23:01:49 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 40) : @pastorshark (Comment 41) : Mind you, we could have dropped DDA and replaced him with no-one and it would have been a 100% improvement… Comment 42, posted at 18.11.17 23:02:47 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 38) : Kriel does not have the smarts for centre. Maybe he should move back to 15 rather Comment 43, posted at 18.11.17 23:02:59 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 43) : I agree… Comment 44, posted at 18.11.17 23:04:31 by pastorshark

SA actually manages to pull off a good maul and wins a penalty Comment 45, posted at 18.11.17 23:06:50 by Bokhoring

And then gets nailed at the lineout Comment 46, posted at 18.11.17 23:07:32 by Bokhoring

Rubbish Boks…Don’t take the 3 (though Pollard is missing everything),,,maul stopped as easy as you like…turnover! Comment 47, posted at 18.11.17 23:08:17 by pastorshark

French scrummy reminds me of Faf Comment 48, posted at 18.11.17 23:11:16 by Bokhoring

Now France takes the 3…10-8 they lead! Comment 49, posted at 18.11.17 23:12:09 by pastorshark

10-8 to France Comment 50, posted at 18.11.17 23:12:23 by Bokhoring

Penalties now starting to go France’s way Comment 51, posted at 18.11.17 23:14:16 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 51) : France also gaining the upper hand… Comment 52, posted at 18.11.17 23:15:01 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 33) : Maybe we would actually score tries with them Comment 53, posted at 18.11.17 23:16:15 by jdolivier

Can eben even pass???? Comment 54, posted at 18.11.17 23:16:42 by jdolivier

@jdolivier (Comment 54) : He is not a very good flyhalf Comment 55, posted at 18.11.17 23:17:28 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 55) : When he touches the ball everyone on this planet knows that he will put head down, so easy to defend. How many times in the last 2 matches have we heard: leyds loses the ball in contact. Comment 56, posted at 18.11.17 23:18:55 by jdolivier

Another miss for Pollard Comment 57, posted at 18.11.17 23:21:21 by Bokhoring

Pollard misses another…my donder! 1 out of 5!! Still 10-8 after 55 mins… Comment 58, posted at 18.11.17 23:21:55 by pastorshark

wales sneaks home against Georgia, 13-6…and Georgia was within 5m of the line for the last 5 Comment 59, posted at 18.11.17 23:26:24 by pastorshark

Owens handles players very well. Definitely the best ref in the world. And Pollard finally manages a penalty Comment 60, posted at 18.11.17 23:26:57 by Bokhoring

wales sneaks home against Georgia, 13-6…and Georgia was within 5m of the line for the last 5 minutes or so, but just couldn’t score… Comment 61, posted at 18.11.17 23:27:14 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 60) : Definitely the best ref in the world!! Comment 62, posted at 18.11.17 23:27:50 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 60) : Bosch at fullback for kicker doesn’t look like a bad option Comment 63, posted at 18.11.17 23:28:14 by jdolivier

@pastorshark (Comment 62) : Agreed Comment 64, posted at 18.11.17 23:28:30 by jdolivier

Boks lead 10-11 as we enter into the final quarter… Comment 65, posted at 18.11.17 23:28:32 by pastorshark

That was a good phase of play by the Boks…the try is awarded…50-50 call… Comment 66, posted at 18.11.17 23:33:37 by pastorshark

Try for Kriel. Pollard converts. 18-10 SA leads Comment 67, posted at 18.11.17 23:34:49 by Bokhoring

Pollard finally kicks one – 10-18 after 63 minutes… Comment 68, posted at 18.11.17 23:34:51 by pastorshark

Coetzee has been quite a bit better tonight… Comment 69, posted at 18.11.17 23:36:19 by pastorshark

A poor lineout by France gives the Boks relief. The French have been pretty poor… Comment 70, posted at 18.11.17 23:38:49 by pastorshark

Skosan really needs to learn to jump for the high ball Comment 71, posted at 18.11.17 23:39:43 by Bokhoring

Skosaan caught a high ball… 😯 Comment 72, posted at 18.11.17 23:40:01 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 70) : Boks has been better tonight but this French team is awful Comment 73, posted at 18.11.17 23:41:32 by Bokhoring

Ach! Kriel loses the ball forward… Comment 74, posted at 18.11.17 23:43:32 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 73) : We’ve been patchy…last week there was not a single good thing…this time at least there were some very good moments…also a lot of crap, but definitely better… Comment 75, posted at 18.11.17 23:45:03 by pastorshark

Dan gets his cap… Comment 76, posted at 18.11.17 23:47:09 by pastorshark

Try France…down to the wire… Comment 77, posted at 18.11.17 23:49:36 by pastorshark

17-18 with 3 minutes to go… Comment 78, posted at 18.11.17 23:50:44 by pastorshark

A few nice carries by Dan…clock running down… Comment 79, posted at 18.11.17 23:53:05 by pastorshark

Boks hold out to win 17-18… Comment 80, posted at 18.11.17 23:53:49 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 80) : And we did not need the silky skills of DDA at all Comment 81, posted at 18.11.17 23:54:39 by Bokhoring

Not the most inspiring win…but better…and a win…so…ja… Comment 82, posted at 18.11.17 23:54:43 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 81) : Did you mean to say “silky”…or was it a misspelling of “sucky”…?! Comment 83, posted at 18.11.17 23:55:55 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 81) : Francois Venter was good tonight…best back by far… Comment 84, posted at 18.11.17 23:56:46 by pastorshark

Will Toetie have the guts to give guys like Am a chance against Italy? Comment 85, posted at 18.11.17 23:56:48 by Bokhoring

@pastorshark (Comment 83) : Silly Comment 86, posted at 18.11.17 23:57:09 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 85) : He has to…surely? Comment 87, posted at 18.11.17 23:57:13 by pastorshark

And he has to play Dan…in prep for Wales when Vermeulen and Louw will not be available for that… Comment 88, posted at 18.11.17 23:58:12 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 88) : You expecting a lot from Toetie Comment 89, posted at 19.11.17 00:00:15 by Bokhoring

French coach will most likely be fired after this game. Comment 90, posted at 19.11.17 00:01:47 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 90) : Losing to the boks under AC is totally unacceptable. The French coach almost certainly will be fired. Reading the play by play this morning I actually hoped the French would score at the end to take the game. We need more nails in AC ‘ S coffin. Now this is probably going to be seen as improvement and buy him more time. Comment 91, posted at 19.11.17 08:44:20 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 91) : coaches and players have no respect for that Jersey anymore or the people that came before them. They only respect MONEY!, those coaches should have resigned by now on they own and take responsibility for the crap that has happened. And at the same time players should either widraw themselves from the squad or donate 30% of they match fees to charity. I would have more respect for people like that than these fucking clowns masquerading as springboks. Comment 92, posted at 19.11.17 10:40:54 by Poisy

@Poisy (Comment 92) : You are spot on. We need a hard man at the helm who knows what he wants. AC is his own spin doctor singing praises to their character. Almost losing to a misfiring team is an achievement in his books. Comment 93, posted at 19.11.17 13:39:00 by coolfusion

@Poisy (Comment 92) : I’m just wondering if he doesn’t care about his next job. Surely no top tier will touch him after this season. Comment 94, posted at 19.11.17 13:41:08 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 93) : “We need a hard man at the helm who knows what he wants” that seems to describe John Mitchell fairly well no? Or perhaps someone like Robbie Deans. Comment 95, posted at 19.11.17 14:25:49 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 95) : Yup but Mitchell is too early into his bulls contract and Deans wouldn’t touch this trainwreck. Comment 96, posted at 19.11.17 14:35:29 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 94) : that’s the problem right there. U take this job for the prestige and honour not to boost your ego or career or bank balance. There’s no shame in admitting the job is to big for you and if you really want to coach you go do your coaching badges and relearn everything you thought you knew and humble yourself. He can afford to not work for a year or two. There are always teams looking for a change like the Kings he can come back to and make them a power house. Everything about springbok rugby at the moment screams arrogance!! Comment 97, posted at 19.11.17 15:07:08 by Poisy

@coolfusion (Comment 94) : I just think if he resigns he can leave with some dignity and earn some respect and goodwill from the fans. If he gets fired then it becomes that much harder to find employment Comment 98, posted at 19.11.17 15:09:58 by Poisy

@Poisy (Comment 98) : Who you talking about Coetzee or Mugabe Comment 99, posted at 19.11.17 21:59:18 by The hound

@Poisy (Comment 97) : Kings are hardly tier 1 Comment 100, posted at 20.11.17 06:15:07 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 100) : But I get the point. Kings will probably the best he will get IF he ever gets an offer at SR or CC level. Comment 101, posted at 20.11.17 06:36:21 by coolfusion

@Poisy (Comment 97) : Davids is a much better coach than Toetie Comment 102, posted at 20.11.17 07:55:24 by Bokhoring

Lets be honest, majority thought Boks would lose so to manage a win we have to give them credit. AC showed his poor selection and sub policy as he only made 3 or 4 subs i think. In the modern game a coach needs to know how to select a 23 and use them all effectively. In terms of individuals…Etzebeth carried and tackled well but that cant be our number 1 option everytime. Marx was better this game and having a proper 8 in Vermuelen definitely helped. Cronje was poor again. Pollard provided some good thngs on attack and kept their defense honest…but overall the backline cathcing and passing was incredibly poor. Ive seen u14s handle better. We play so far behind the advantage line its a joke and as soon as we get near a defender we either pass wayward or drop it. Sorry Franco Smith as much as AC is getting flak you are also very inept at coaching our attack. Comment 103, posted at 20.11.17 08:09:19 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 103) : And France somehow managed to be worse that us. One team has won two world cups and the other played in three world cup finals – now both reduced to mid table status. I would say both due to the same reasons – too many foreign players joining the French rugby league, and two coaching teams who has no clue. Comment 104, posted at 20.11.17 08:17:52 by Bokhoring

@SheldonK (Comment 103) : The Free State backline almost always looks very fluid on attack (defense usually another matter), but I guess test rugby is still a step up. Then again teaching a plank like Jesse the basics of centre play will even be a challenge for Wayne Smith Comment 105, posted at 20.11.17 08:42:11 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 104) : I agree with you that a lot of the French issues stem from their league. But they are also very unsure of how they want to play the game. I must admit i dont know that much about these new french players but i just have to question whether they too have discarded some old wise heads in favour of the new kid on the block. Comment 106, posted at 20.11.17 08:44:08 by SheldonK

@The hound (Comment 99) : 😀 😆 good one. Comment 107, posted at 20.11.17 10:02:43 by Salmonoid the Subtle

“but overall the backline cathcing and passing was incredibly poor. Ive seen u14s handle better. We play so far behind the advantage line its a joke and as soon as we get near a defender we either pass wayward or drop it. Sorry Franco Smith as much as AC is getting flak you are also very inept at coaching our attack.” ………so true, my thoughts as well while watching. Comment 108, posted at 20.11.17 10:05:06 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@SheldonK (Comment 103) : I don’t fully agree. As much as AC and his clowns are to blame for poor tactics and poor selection. I cannot fault them or the backline coach for players who cannot pass or catch or attack gain lines. These guys are at springbok level it’s not bok coaches responsibility to teach them basics. They should already have mastered this. The most you can blame on the coach in this regard is selecting players who don’t have the basic skills down. Comment 109, posted at 20.11.17 10:14:04 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 109) : Your comment bring up an interesting debate. Who takes the blame coaches or players for the players making basics errors. Should the players be held accountable or should the coaches for selecting them (provided their are others who are proven to be able to do better). For me its a bit of both i think. But yes it must drive coaches nuts to see such basic errors every week. Comment 110, posted at 20.11.17 10:32:44 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 110) : Players need to not only have basics down but actually some form of mastery at this level. Coaches select based on form. But bad coaches persist with problematic players and poor combos for a year or more. Comment 111, posted at 20.11.17 11:13:42 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 111) : Selecting on form is a contentious one…form in which comp? how long ago do you base the form on? do you compare form a guy playing international level to one who has never played? In my opinion the backline play of the majority of top level SA players is sub standard…especially their catching and passing. Nevermind runing lines Comment 112, posted at 20.11.17 11:27:23 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 112) : I would go as far as to say most SA backs only have ruining lines – they ruin any chance of turning attacking ball into something Comment 113, posted at 20.11.17 13:16:52 by Bokhoring

@SheldonK (Comment 112) : Which may point the finger back at SARU and their selection structures? Having one man man or coaching team make these choices in assymetrical competitions in which the individual competence may have been embellished by overall team competence. I still say there should have been bok camps early on. But I still don’t think the current coaching squad or selection squad (if it exists) have the competence to make a holistic selection that cinsiders most of the variables. Comment 114, posted at 20.11.17 13:25:58 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 114) : I think its a combination of hyped up players leading to poor selections and a large disregard for the players playing in Europe (our best and older/wiser players). We can keep trying to fool ourselves that the local based players are good enough…results show otherwise. And until we come to this realisation we could be heading the same way as Argentina- and dont be surprised to see them change their selection tune before the World Cup. Comment 115, posted at 20.11.17 13:30:35 by SheldonK

It seems that Marx may not be available this weekend and Kolisi is going back to SA for birth of his kid. Will be interesting to see how AC selects the team for this week vs Italy. He is normally big on consistency but my pick making only slight tweaks: 1. Kitshoff 2. Mbonambi 3. Louw 4. Etzebeth 5. De Jager 6. Louw 7. PSDT 8. Vermuelen 9. Paige 10. Pollard 11. Skosan 12. Venter 13. Am 14. Lleyds 15. Gelant Bench: Beast, Chilliboy, Nyakane, Mostert, DuPreez, Schreuder, Bosch, Kriel Comment 116, posted at 20.11.17 14:09:13 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 116) : From what I read, Toetie has stated that he will pick his strongest team available (in his mind) against Italy. So probably no Am, Gelant, Bosch and Schreuder in the match 23. I think he is desperate for another win, and seems to have given up on the Wales test. Comment 117, posted at 20.11.17 15:33:26 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 117) : Right then…let me make sure i have lots of cold beer for Saturday…eish maybe if im pissed it will look better Comment 118, posted at 20.11.17 15:42:35 by SheldonK

@Bokhoring (Comment 117) : And no Ruan Botha even though we can all see Etsebeth is probably going to break down soon if he has to keep carrying that pillar by himself. Comment 119, posted at 20.11.17 15:48:39 by coolfusion

@SheldonK (Comment 115) : Seasoned and competent coaches will see through the hype and set his own metrics against which to asess players. I keep coming back to the coach as a viable starting point. Yes there are larger issues but their fix is more complex. Comment 120, posted at 20.11.17 15:51:21 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 120) : I would agree that selection is definitely a starting point of where things go wrong Comment 121, posted at 20.11.17 15:55:50 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 116) : Yep. Soft tissue damage. Marc will be out. Comment 122, posted at 20.11.17 17:29:22 by coolfusion

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