Author: Stephen Smith (StevieS)
The Boks take on a confident Scotland this Saturday at Murrayfield at 19:20 (SA time), with the Scots having thrashed Fiji 54-17. Winger Tommy Seymour was in particularly good form, bagging a hat-trick of tries. The Boks are 5th in the World Rugby rankings, with the Scots one place back in 6th. Home ground advantage will definitely be a factor as the Scots have only lost once at home in the last two years, and that to the All Blacks who had to dig deep to win 22-17.
These two old foes first clashed all the way back in 1906, incidentally the tour in which the Springbok nickname first came into use, with the Scots claiming the bragging rights that day with a 6-0 victory. Altogether, there have been 26 test matches played between these sides with the Boks having won 21 times.
The Boks have scored 686 points against Scotland, with 286 points being scored against them. This works out to an average score of 26.38 vs 11.
The Scots have had a good set of results in 2018, winning 7 out of 10 games, beating the likes of France, Argentina and England on the way. The Boks will definitely not have everything their own way. In Gregor Townsend the Scots have a very astute coach who has carried on the good work started by Vern Cotter, and he will be sure to have a trick or two up his sleeve to trouble the Boks. In addition, Glasgow and Edinburgh have been doing well in the Pro14, and the players have embraced a more attacking style of play. Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland will be sure to punish the Boks if they continue to hand over their hard won possession with misplaced box-kicks. The Springbok kickers will have to be on top form and Handre Pollard will have to control the tempo of the game.
Another aspect mentioned by Rassie in the build-up week was the SA flavour in the Scotland squad, namely Allan Dell, Josh Strauss and WP Nel, all names familiar to South African rugby fans. Another familiar face is that of outside centre Huw Jones, the former Stormers man having been one of the stars of the Cape franchise during his time there.
With Warren Whiteley ruled out due to injury, we see Duane Vermeulen moved back to his preferred position of eigthman, Pieter-Steph Du Toit moves back to blindside flank in a more balanced loose-trio, and Embrose Papier gets his chance to prove himself with a rare start at scrumhalf.
Bok Squad vs Scotland:
- Steven Kitshoff
- Malcolm Marx
- Frans Malherbe
- RG Snyman
- Franco Mostert
- Siya Kolisi ( c )
- Pieter-Steph Du Toit
- Duane Vermeulen
- Embrose Papier
- Handre Pollard
- Aphiwe Dyantyi
- Damian De Allende
- Jesse Kriel
- S’bu Nkosi
- Willie Le Roux
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Thomas Du Toit
- Vincent Koch
- Lood de Jager
- Francois Louw
- Ivan van Zyl
- Elton Jantjies
- Cheslin Kolbe
Tweet
He picked Schreuder? Gasp! Will wonders never cease….
@coolfusion (Comment 1) : Not according to Esportif; SA Rugby Mag and Ultimate rugby – they’ve got Van Zyl on the bench
@coolfusion (Comment 1) : All the other sites listing the team show Van Zyl not Schreuder. I’m guessing they are right and we are wrong???
Boks by 35.
Hat trick for de Allende.
Sorry guys, mix up trying to email the article through. I’d pretyped the article and corrected it. Not sure what happened. Sorry.
@StevieS (Comment 6) : Sorry Steve also Eben is injured – RG to start
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 7) : and Lood on the bench.
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 2) : I knew it sounded too good to be true…
@coolfusion (Comment 9) : Sorry 😳 I typed up what I thought would be the squad and then adjusted, but when I sent to Henk gmail screwed me over and sent an old copy. I think it’s because I accessed off my phone. Not really sure.
I was really also expecting Wilco to get a start. Frans has seemed like he’s running on empty. And when will Schreuder get his chance?
@StevieS (Comment 10) : I really thought Rassie won’t get caught in the stubborn mule/no vision mold that plagued so many bok coaches. I guess he is proving me wrong.
@coolfusion (Comment 11) : What is the nature of your beef with the selection?
Its quite evident now to see Rassie’s preferred group of players. Every Bok coach will have his preferences that differs from public opinion. I think the pack barring one or two is largely on the right track. The backline im less sure about, but if we just continually box kick its hard to judge a backlines ability just on them tackling and chasing. Its also very clear that none of Britz, Nyakane, Schickerling, Notshe, Schreuder, Peterson, Aplon, Mapoe are going to touch the field this tour…so why include them? Wonder if Schalk Britz can remember the last rugby game he played??
@KingCheetah (Comment 12) : Not the wholr selection just the adamant refusal to give opportunity even though this is what he falsely advertised. The popular quote he is experimenting and giving lots if players a chance. Sure. The only experiment I see is playing guys out of position and the experiment of seeing if bench duty sharpens skills oh and maybe also experimenting with players who havent seen any active game time in years in place of young ready and available players. Throw in some players who consistently underperform or are so dog tired they can’t perform and having the audacity to claim he had no other options doesn’t cut it. You wouldn’t know if you could have done better with another player if you never invested in them either. Oh and the old fall back he doesn’t want to change now since it’s a risk. It’s a risk either way so that doesn’t float either. The proof is in the pudding this bok team is not good enough these marginal wins when the opposition is already weakened is a false economy. He has some good structures but he is failing to strengthen the rest we will need a full end to end team or we will just be wasting time.
@SheldonK (Comment 13) : I agree there are some keepers. But the neglected positions will undo the team.
Has Willemse now fallen out of favour?
@Bokhoring (Comment 16) : Square peg and round hole i think. Prob wants him as a 10 but cant pick over Pollard/Jantjies. So thought about him at 15 but isnt comfy picking him over Willie and doesnt back him subbing for a wing.
@coolfusion (Comment 14) : Sofar this year Rassie has capped19 players, so I fail to see how you can criticize him for that. He still has to maintain a winning ratio too, as the SA mentality is to hope he fails.
In the pack Kitshoff has been very deserving of his place, despite the lineout wobbles, Marx is our best bet. Wilco should be starting. RG and Mostert are full value for their selections, as Eben is injured, and Lood still rusty. Kolisi will start, and PSDT has been our best blindside flank, and Vermeulen is an auto pick,
In the backline, he is giving Papier a run, Polly has been our best FH, by some distance. In Am’s injury enforced absence, and with Jan Erfontein still not considered, DDA and Kriel are our best bets. I too want to see what Nel can do.
Next year hopefully we will see JL duP back in the mix. Add Beast, Am, Mapimpi, and who knows who else can force selection.
My point is, Rassie, despite juggling with exposing players to test rugby, and winning has done an admirable job, considering where bok rugby was when he took over.
@KingCheetah (Comment 18) : I think those 19 new caps have to be viewed in the context of how many he had to cap as a result of Coetzee’s bad selections in previous years that he has had to discard. As you said and i agree that the pack by and large is on the right track, especially this weekend’s selection. (Whiteley and Kolisi cannot be in the same loose trio). Then the backs is where the contention lies i feel but as i said, how can you judge a backline when majority of the time the 9 is kicking and they just chasing and defending.
@KingCheetah (Comment 12) : @coolfusion (Comment 14) : think the main problem is the missed chance to give some of the “reserves” chance to build experience before the World cup.
Why talk up a player like Peterson and then never give him a chance to show what he can do?
Yes he must win games but if he gave one or two “new” players a chance in every game most players on tour could have shown what they can do. Now it is only 31 out of a 42 man touring squad that played. Further more 4 of the 31 players only played 1 game (1 start & 3 from bench) so mostly same 27 players that was rotated!?
Let’s add a bit more 1, 2, 3, 6 (yes I get he’s the captain so will start), 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 (16, 17 & 22) was the same for all three games!?
Lots and lots of missed chances!
@JD (Comment 20) : I hear you. That said. Nkosi, and Dyanti need to play as much as possible. I see Mapimpi knocking hard on the door. I think if guys like Brink, JL, Beast, Am, and Gelant were fit, we may have seen more rotation.
Beast, Kitshoff have nailed the LH positions with Nyakane, Thomas and Coenie able to pack down there.
Malherbe (bleh), Wilco, and Koch are fine.
Eben, Lood, RG, Mostert, are established with PSDT also available
Kolisi, Marcel (hope so), Brink, JL duP, Vermeulen, PSDT, Louw, Whiteley, gives us many options.
Faf, Reinach (maybe), Papier, and van Zyl are all still squabbling.
Pollard, Jantjies, Lambie (I hope), Willemse, are the FH options, with Rob still able to stake a claim.
Serfontein (hopefully), DDA, AE, Am, Mapoe, and Kriel are certain options, with Nel a maybe
Mapimpi, Nkosi, Dyanti, Skosan, are all good wing options
Willie, Gelant, Willemse round out a pretty solid broad squad.
@SheldonK (Comment 19) : Actually a lot of the players Rassie relies on were Coetzee picks- Faf, Marx, Mostert, Nkosi(Picked but injured)
Our first choice side:
1) Kitchoff-HM
2)Marx-Coetzee
3)Malherbe-HM
4)Eben-Devilliers
5)Mostert-Coetzee
6)Kolisi-HM
7)PSDT-HM
8)Vermuelen-De Villiers
9) Faf-Coetzee
10) Pollard-HM
11)Dyanthi-Rassie
12)De Allende-HM
13) Kriel-HM
14) Nkosi-Coetzee/Rassie
15) Le Roux- HM
16) Bongi-Coetzee
17) Beast- De Villiers
18) Louw- Coetzee
19) Lood-HM
20) Louw-De Villiers
21) Papier-Rassie
22)Elton-HM
23)Kolbe-Rassie
@KingCheetah (Comment 21) : problem is how will anyone know what payers like Nel and Willemse can do if they don’t get a chance on this tour? But hey that’s how I feel so think I’m done with this whole subject as it’s only frustrating me!
If you want excellent insight into coaching read the books by Ric Charlesworth. He coached the Ozzie women hockey team from 1992 to 2000 and in that time they won all the major tournaments (World Cups, Olympics, etc). During the tournaments that mattered they basically dominated woman hockey for almost a decade!
@KingCheetah (Comment 21) : Do you think players can still stake a claim? I doubt anyone who is fit and not on this tour has a realistic chance of going to the WC. Remember 5 of these guys touring wont even make the WC squad.
@JD (Comment 23) : I feel alot less frustrated than last year this time
@Byron Wright (Comment 24) : I am not a selector, but I do believe that there are definately players that are currently injured, or not on tour, due to rehab etc. It would be very short sighted to leave players like Beast, JL duP, Mapimpi, Marcel Coetzee, Serfontein and Am out. Rassie is an astute rugby brain, but that is just my opinion.
Reality is that Rassie will have to pick the below side for the RWC, injuries aside:
1. Kitshoff 2. Marx. 3. Malherbe 4. Etzebeth 5. Mostert 6. Kolisi 7. PSDT 8. Vermuelen 9. De Klerk 10. Pollard 11. Dyanti 12. De Allende 13. Am 14. Nkosi 15. Le Roux
Bench: Beast, Mbonambi, Nyakane , De Jager, Notshe, Papier, Jantjies, Kolbe
Some of the bench may need to start.
@KingCheetah (Comment 26) : I think Am and Beast to come back in for sure. I think Rassie rates Mapimpi but is only likely to take 3 wings so he may miss out. The rest of those guys are pretty much out of the reckoning I think. So we looking for 7 of the current squad to fall out. Is the squad 36?
Mapoe
Nel
Petersen
Schrouder
Thomas/Trevor
Koch
Schickerling
Aplon
RG/Lood
(Notshe and Trevor need to go because we pretty far from that 50% target)
@Byron Wright (Comment 24) : Well Marcel Coetzee thinks he can still crack it. I doubt it – in his situation playing overseas has really bitten him in the arse. While in SA he stood head and shoulders out above Siya (whrere are you wpw) but now its out of sight out of mind (conveniently). No, I think you are right I think our world cup group will be out of this crowd with maybe Akker coming in.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 29) :Of course Beast will go – and probably Am.
It’s been hindering me for a while now, when eventually something clicked! King cheetah is such a huge Rassie fan because Rassie is a FS boy! The world makes a lot more sense now
@Byron Wright (Comment 28) : Think WC squad is 31, but yes, interesting times ahead.
Props: Kitshoff, Beast, Nyakane (swinger), Malherbe, Wilco,
Hkr: Marx, Mbonambi, Akker/Brits
Locks: Eben, Lood, Mostert, RG
Loosies: Kolisi, Marcel, PSDT, Vermeulen, Whiteley
SH: Faf, Papier, van Zyl
FH: Pollard, Jantjies
Centre: DDA Serf, Kriel, AM
Wings:Nkosi, Dyanti, Mapimpi,
FB: Willie, Gelant/Willemse
@Byron Wright (Comment 24) : @KingCheetah (Comment 32) : yes World Cup squad is only 31. Originally Rassie took 36 players and then added another 6 after the first game so currently 42 players on tour.
@Karl (Comment 31) : Thats probably true but since he started wearing shoes in his Cape Town stint he has dropped those Free Staters like a hot potato. He is actually an Eastern Cape boytjie.
I am amazed that nobody here including King Cheetah rates the Free States best export since Bismark,Coennie Oosthuizen.
I don’t expect Erasmus to pick him but I thought that people on here would rate him above the Fat guy from Modern Family look alike,
@The hound (Comment 35) : Hahaha that’s so funny because it’s so accurate! Speaking for myself, I rate him but he’s never worn
A WP jersey so I don’t expect him to be picked
@Karl (Comment 31) : Pffffttttt! learn to see the wood from the trees Dude. Rassie, is actually an EC boytjie. I also rate players that are not from the Cheetahs. I know, novel! You really should try it sometime 👿 😆
I rate Rassie, because, he is a very astute rugby brain, not quite sure if that will be enough, in the cauldron of SA rugby, a poisened chalice for real. But so far, I am carefully optimistic. PS…..try not be a wet rag al your life. Weed is legal…..be brave
@The hound (Comment 35) : Au contraire, I would have both Coenie and Tank over fatty Malherbe. Coenie has just been hard done by in terms of injuries.
@KingCheetah (Comment 38) : Maybe we’re more alike than either of us would care to admit, because just like you, I too rate many players not from FS. In fact, most of my favourites happen to not be from there
@KingCheetah (Comment 39) : Kak, Ethebeth and deJager both played Bok games for Erasmus straight from injury without even a warm up game,Coennie really shone in the Currie Cup final that this wanker announced was Bok Trial game.
@The hound (Comment 41) : Oh my hat! You do battle with comprehension!
I didn’t at anytime indicate the reason for Coenie’s omission. Just that he has been plagued by injuries. maybe, it is because you are always so keen for an argument, that you perceived it that way. Lighten up Dude! 👿
@KingCheetah (Comment 42) : Kitty boy take your thumb out your arse
Kitshoff Marx OOSTHUIZEN, there is only one coach in the entire rugby world who can’t see that as one of the best front rows anywhere in rugby history, and that’s the one you claim has an astute rugby brain.
@KingCheetah (Comment 38) : Don’t de I think you rate Rassie because you rate anyone and anything that has ever had a freestate connection… 😉
@coolfusion (Comment 44) : You see it too?
@Karl (Comment 45) : Don’t we all? 🙂 At least he’s consistent….
@coolfusion (Comment 46) : @Karl (Comment 45) : Fook me sideways! Biased Sharks supporters calling me biased? That is like the Pot calling the kettle a cullart dudes! WTF? 👿
@The hound (Comment 43) : Guess what you sanctimonious prick? I actually agree wirh you. Fook me, but you are one frustrayed individual! Always looking for confrontation. Now fook off! You are spoiling my high 😀
Actually you are not 😛 you dinnie have that power. To Coenie PK Oosthuizen cheers
@KingCheetah (Comment 47) : Cool your jets dude. We jest. We accept you the way you are. Nothing qrong with your loyalty. 🙂
@KingCheetah (Comment 47) : And for what it’s worth Im glad you’re on a high and excited for the game. Enjoy it!
@coolfusion (Comment 50) : So kalm soos ‘n dagga walm man! Aweh 😈
Yeah, enjoy the rugga dude.
@KingCheetah (Comment 51) : Good to hear. Let’s hope you’re right and I’m wrong and disco Dan produces some entertaining stuff.
Rob scored 20 points on debut for Sale today, slotting 6/7 kicks.
@Nostraseth (Comment 53) : Good to hear. I should actually watch these games. How was his positional play?
@coolfusion (Comment 54) : I didn’t catch the whole game, but from what I did see; General distribution was off Faf with Rob sitting slightly deeper to run moves. He was running excellent cross routes and through a couple killer long passes out to the wings.
His only missed kick was over 50m and was a bad call, they were 3 points behind with 4 mins to play and the penalty was 5m in from touch.
@Nostraseth (Comment 55) : Did he seem comfortable with that? It makes a difference an uncomfortable player in my mind is s guy out of position
Brilliant Bok try after Pollard break. Great handling
7-0 Boks lead
But Scotland scores a good one of their own.
That looks forward though
7 all
Pollard is having a great game, and scores to put the Boks ahead again
Willie rocking the porn stash…..
Must say some good hands on display so far.
Pollard on point so far. Nice speed from Papier.
17-7
Needs to lay off the needless box kicks though
Papier messes up the box kick and gives Scotland chance for 3, but having a decent game so far
17-10
@Bokhoring (Comment 68) : Needs to relax be less methodical. Give the ball more play.
@coolfusion (Comment 70) : Needs to play his own game
Scots dropping a lot of ball behind the line. Someone should look at pouncing on that weakness.
@Bokhoring (Comment 71) : Agree 100%
We need to keep the ball in hand. Box kicks not working for us
Forwards fast asleep. Dangerous.
Scotland scores from a lineout. Scores even again
@Bokhoring (Comment 74) : Ja his own game flowed much better he shouldn’t get caught in something that not his style
Scotland 15 is really impressive
No one of the forwards was tracking that ball.
20-17
Papier is hurting himself. Pollard has better angles for exits. He is playing someone else’s game his own did so much more for us.
The only 9 in SA that can exit properly with a box kick is Cam. The rest should pass to Pollard or Le Roux
@Bokhoring (Comment 82) : I must say though in a high pace game Papier is way ahead of v zyl
@coolfusion (Comment 83) : Yes – apart from the box kicks he is having a good game. Much better than van Zyl
Matfield disagrees with us on the box kicks
@Bokhoring (Comment 84) : I blame fourie du Preez for introducing the forced box. That said he actually knew how to do it. This is an exception to the game but the scrummies treat it as the norm
For example executing s box on attack in their half when you have the element of time…why? You have luxury of sending it
@coolfusion (Comment 87) : Problem is they know exactly when the Bok 9’s will box kick and are prepared for it. It should be used to add a bit of variation – not all the time.
If you don’t have a 9 that can drop the ball exactly in the sweet spot, it becomes a high risk tactic IMO.
@Bokhoring (Comment 88) : Like I said it’s the norm now. It should be an escape not when you are on the front foot
Willie was going to catch the ball. Poite remains an idiot
WTF – yellow card
@Bokhoring (Comment 91) : You’ll hate me for this but I think Willie knew he wasn’t going to gather that, looks like pure interference.
That is absolutely crazy!!!!!!
@Bokhoring (Comment 92) : That is harsh.
ABSOLUTELY MIND BOGGLING!!!!
Level again thanks to Poite
Nice carries by RG tonight
Boks look angry now
23-20 Boks ahead again
@coolfusion (Comment 95) : More like brain dead crazy…
I know it was knock but Nkosi is a grafter….
@pastorshark (Comment 96) : deliberately ran the perfect line, not changing for 20m.
@pastorshark (Comment 101) : Ja I don’t know where that came from.
I like many French rugby players, but their refs are useless
Well this week’s team looked much more tuned in than last 2 weeks
Good play by the Boks while they were down to 14…
Yellow only cost us 3 points so far
Shocker from Pollard I thought he had it for sure
@pastorshark (Comment 107) : Yes actually built some positive pressure in that time
Huw Jones is causing us quite a bit of grief tonight
@coolfusion (Comment 109) : And then what the hell was that “attempted tackle” Pollard tried not to make on Jones… 😯
Jantjies and Pollard at 10 and 12 now
@pastorshark (Comment 112) : Well the problem with poite is this, he is a stickler for the rules…when he actually wakes up and pays attention to the game…
@Bokhoring (Comment 113) : I like Pollard at 12 he’s an oppertunist..
Scotland’s maul giving us problems – regardless that we outweigh them by 30 kgs
Good maul turnover from Mostert saves our bacon
Good defence of that maul…
Lood on now
Big neckroll Mr ref
@coolfusion (Comment 114) : But that yellow card call was not “stickler”…It was just plain wrong. And when he is bad, he is atrocious…
@byron (Comment 120) : And Mr Assistant Ref too
@pastorshark (Comment 121) : No I agree fully that was harsh call in any circumstance
@coolfusion (Comment 123) : Even for deliberate infringement that should have been penalty at best
We have had a number of good turnovers tonight
Louw and Mnonambi on
Pollard suddenly struggling to poles
I know it’s lame but books have show some character and class now
Pollard misses his second in a row!
@pastorshark (Comment 129) : Last one was a shocker
@Bokhoring (Comment 130) : And previous imo
Didn’t need to jump for that one
Come elto. Be a Lambie
Thomas now wins a turnover penalty.
He lambo’ d it
Jantjies taking over the kicking now
26-20
Lovely boks!
What a great turnover
Now the Scots steal the ball from us
Neckroll on Pollard goes unpunished but a normal cleanout from PSDT is now checked
@Bokhoring (Comment 141) : This one is inconsistent as a poorly made slap pap
Scot was lurking in an offside position and was legitimately cleaned out by PSDT
Snail van Zyl on now
@Bokhoring (Comment 144) : Ugh
Great maul defense from the Boks
Apart from two kick Pollard has impressed me tonight
Thomas is having a good game tonight
@Bokhoring (Comment 141) : Why is the TMO only checking Bok infringements?
Van Zyl has no place in this team. No value. Kudos to Papier
Boks win a good match
@pastorshark (Comment 149) : Cause otherwise he would add no value to his team
@Bokhoring (Comment 151) : Must say this game looked more like rugby than last two weeks
@pastorshark (Comment 149) : Neck roll on Pollard right in front of Assistant Ref – TMO does nothing. Normal clean-out of an offside player gets checked. Nothing dangerous about Piet’s cleanout
Much better from the Boks. Too much poor kicking though
@Bokhoring (Comment 155) : Agree Papier must stay true to himself
@coolfusion (Comment 156) : And Pollard I can forgive he has played his position with aplomb
Rassie – please let our nines play the game that suits them personally. Do not force players who are not 100% accurate to kick.
@Bokhoring (Comment 158) : You think it him or popular culture?
@coolfusion (Comment 159) : Think it is a big part of his game plan.
I think Siya did a good job today
@Bokhoring (Comment 160) : That would be sad if he did not see aptitude and sticks to preset norms
What a win by Ireland!!
Boks will not have an easy WC. Same pool as NZ, and should they come second in the pool will probably face Ireland in the quarters
@Bokhoring (Comment 164) : to be the best you must beat the best! NZ and Ireland currently the top teams.
@JD (Comment 165) : So you reckon if you can’t win the cup you may as well crash out early
@Bokhoring (Comment 166) : Might as well make way for the sides who are serious about winning. No use taking up space
Any away win from the Boks is good so must congratulate them. We should have buried the Scots and they lived off our errors. If our wings keep shooting out the line teams are going to exploit that and we will be in trouble. Im quite liking this 2nd half move of Jantjie to 10 and Pollard to 12, just needed to keep Papier on as Van Zyl just kills everything.
@Karl (Comment 167) : First beat the AB’s on home turf – then we can talk 😛
But seriously – very good performance by the Irish.
@Karl (Comment 167) : Seems as if your Irish boys have no intention of flying under the radar. Man that was a good win by them – the score flatters the AB’s.
@SheldonK (Comment 168) : The wings shooting out of the line is such a common occurrance that I presume it is part of the game plan, probably in as much hope of effecting an intercept as much as putting pressure on the next to last guy passing the ball. I also think its going to bite us in the arse sometime or other.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 171) : Yeh in an interview with Nkosi he mentioned that them shooting up was part of the defensive structure and them taking risks on the outside for hopeful reward. Better sides are going to identfy and exploit that.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 170) : Yeah, obviously awesome to beat the AB’s, but Schmidt will have to come up with a few tricks next year for the WC
@Bokhoring (Comment 169) : Lucky we won’t have to beat them in NZ during the WC!
@Karl (Comment 174) : Your neutral record is 1-1, so that helps a bit
@SheldonK (Comment 172) : Well they must be super confident with their cover defenders and sooner or later someone is going to work out a way to get the ball, at speed, past, over, behind the guy shooting up out of line and then its going to be a mad scramble.
@Karl (Comment 173) : Going on the results of these past 3 weekends I think it can also be said that the Kiwis (and the Aussies an us) will also have to start coming up with a few tricks to beat each other and the northern hemisphere sides. The New Zealanders are looking more vulnerable now than they have in a long time. The playing fields are looking the most level now than they have in a long time.
@Bokhoring (Comment 166) : all or nothing!!! Runner up is the first loser!!! 😈
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 177) : The NH sides are playing really well, especially at home. We cant just judge them on the June tours when they send out weak touring sides. The sides we face in Nov is more like what they will send to a RWC. It seems that the SH sides tend to adopt a riskier approach with numerous 50/50 offloads etc which can pay off but can also backfire under pressure. The NH sides, espcially Ireland, dont try these offloads. They are patient and pass the ball a lot and play ruck to ruck very similar to how the Ozzies and Brumbies used to play. They are very physical at those rucks to get their ball back.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 177) : It’s awesome though, that for the first time in a long time, anyone could possibly have a shot at winning the WC. Except for the smaller teams though obviously… The likes of Namibia, Samoa, South Africa, etc.
@Karl (Comment 180) : 😆
@Karl (Comment 180) : @StevieS (Comment 181) : 100% correct!!! 😈
@Karl (Comment 180) : 😆
C.J.Stander for me was by a country mile the best South African rugby player on display on the weekend.
@The hound (Comment 184) : awesome player! For sure one of the best SA born players currently playing!
@The hound (Comment 184) : Fair point, although Rob DuPreez was pretty flawless for Sale if you watched that game?