Schalk Brits will captain the Boks against the Pumas at Loftus. This is probably the last chance for some of these players to convince Rassie to take them with to Japan. I would expect Rassie to start his first choice team against Japan in the Boks’ only other World Cup warm-up match.
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Schalk Brits (captain), 1 Thomas du Toit
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Frans Steyn
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Interesting team, basically a put together side so wonder how cohesion and combos will work and gel. 2 tall props and a very short hooker, will be interesting to see how that fares as our scrum combo worked well last week.
I read that Rassie has told Kolisi to go full tilt for as long as he can, even if he has to be subbed in the 1st half, basically guaranteeing him a ticket to Japan. What could be interesting is that at some point, you could possibly have all 3 of Kwagga, Marco v S and Marcell on the field at the same time.
A Marcell and Kolisi combo could be very interesting. They’re both quick loosies but aren’t exactly small either so we have 2 hybrid flanks and no traditional open side or blindside.
@Karl (Comment 3) : I think it was always a given Kolisi was going to Japan.
@SheldonK (Comment 2) : Koch is 2 cm taller than Brits? Thomas is 8cm taller. Are you talking about Scarra? He will probably have to play more than 20 minutes to fill in for the pensioner Brits, I wonder why Akker was so quickly dumped? Would have thought the old man should be on the very fringe further out than Akker.
@coolfusion (Comment 6) : I have my doubts on those measurements having seen all in person. Koch and especially Thomas towered over Brits, maybe they had much longer studs on. Lets see how they go on Saturday, the Argie props looked quite tall last weekend and struggled. As for Brits vs Akker- Akker hasn’t been great this year and going to Europe means he isn’t even playing currently so tough to get in the loop. I would even suggest Kerron van Vurren is ahead of him in Rassie’s pecking order now
@coolfusion (Comment 6) : That old man has shut me up this year. Akker needs to sort out his lineout (which I am sure the professional setup up north will sort before too long) before he can really push for the Boks
@Bokhoring (Comment 8) : How much did Akker even play after his fisticuffs with Schalk? He certainly didn’t do anything to warrant his inclusion. That fight was a symptom, he knew Schalk had his place in the Bok squad and he was out no matter his performance, so instead of focusing on playing well he lashed out and pouted. I was so happy when he signed with the Sharks, but am even happier to see his hind end on the way out now.
If there were any log points on offer for this game the Boks would have got 6.
Boks by 40-50.
Easy peasy Puma squeezy.
Reinach not looking like his playing himself into the WC squad
But Nkosi surely has
@Bokhoring (Comment 12) : I feel Nkosi has forced a back 3 rethink. Rassies thinking is Mapimpi is an 11 and Nkosi is not, so Mapimpi keeps his spot. For all my uncertainty about Kolbe he’s done everything right so he stays. le Roux on the other hand has had a mixed bag so surely moving Kolbe to 15 and starting Nkosi is the best back 3 we can field.
@Hulk (Comment 13) : I have a bad feeling, a sneaking suspicion that Nkosi is not going to the RWC. Rassie has this thing about left and right wings, and won’t move them around. Kolbe is Rassie’s fist choice 14 and we have plenty of others that can fill in to back up right wing. With a limited squad I see Rassie only taking 3 wings. At least Sbu’s performance on Saturday will make Rassie’s decision much more difficult.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 14) : According to a variety of news outlets, Rassie has publicly stated after the game that Nkosi will be going to the RWC.
@Culling Song (Comment 15) : That’s really good to hear he deserves it, as well as Kolbe has done, I still think Sbu is a better option at 14. Hulk’s thought of using Kolbe at 15 my be worth a shot.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 16) : I’m hugely in favour of that idea. That way you could have a reserve scrumhalf on the bench, along with Frans Steyn, who covers all the inside backs (and 15), and Willie le Roux, who covers all the outside backs (and 10, in a pinch).
@Culling Song (Comment 17) : I still think that Kolbe is really a better impact player. He really comes into his own toward the end when the opposition is a little lagged. I wouldn’t be against an in form Willie at 15 with Kolbe on the bench with Steyn and a reserve scrumhalf.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 18) : While I agree with you, the problem is “an in form Willie”… When last did we see that?
@Culling Song (Comment 19) : Gelant made me very nervous at FB, an out of form Willie is still streets better than what Gelant dished out. I am a little concerned about Kolbe’s lack of height at 15, but with two big wings perhaps it would be OK.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 20) : I’m not convinced of Gelant’s credentials at Springbok level. To me the options from the current crop of players are either Willie, Kolbe or Frans. Kolbe’s lack of height is an issue, but it’s a similar issue at wing, and thus far he has compensated admirably.
@Culling Song (Comment 21) : @Dancing Bear (Comment 20) : In the past I have also had issues with Kolbes size in general but since playing under Rassie, I have to admit can’t think of when he’s missed tackles or been bulldozed by bigger players. He’s doing fantastically well and I feel has been better than le Roux. therefore lets put our best back three on the park.
@Culling Song (Comment 21) : Maybe Frans should consider a move to the forwards? He was left behind by the Argie loose forward sub on the weekend. Luckily for the Boks he managed to ankle tap…
Which of the loose forwards who played should go to the World Cup? I thought Marcell showed a lot in the couple minutes he managed to be on the field – pity he did not manage to play a bit longer.
@Bokhoring (Comment 24) : I think Thomas is not going to make the cut. I know it’s opening a can of worms but all the back and forth forcing him into tighthead may be coming to bite.
I think Rassie has pretty much decided on his squad for the World Cup. That said I do think injuries will play a part and we will end up using about 36 players if not more.
I was not impressed with Gelant on the weekend as his positional play was off and didn’t really join the attack much- he is most dangerous when popping up in the 10 channel etc.
I think the back 3 would need to come from Leroux/ Kolbe/Nkosi with a shoot out between Mapimpi and Gelant.
Bok training squad:
Forwards (21): Schalk Brits (Bulls), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse, France), Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Saracens, England), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Francois Louw (England), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Lions), Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), Marvin Orie (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Lions), RG Snyman (Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Bulls).
Backs (15): Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Stormers), Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), André Esterhuizen (Sharks), Warrick Gelant (Bulls), Elton Jantjies (Lions), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), Jesse Kriel (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Sbu Nkosi (Sharks), Willie le Roux (Verblitz, Japan), Handré Pollard (Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Saints, England), Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France).
@Bokhoring (Comment 27) : So the 5 to get the cut to come from: DuToit, Gqoboka, Orie, Elstadt, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi, Gelant
@SheldonK (Comment 28) : Apparently Marcell is still under consideration as well – I think it will be between him and Kwagga
@SheldonK (Comment 26) : Ja ditto on Gelant. He was forcing way too much and got caught with a lot of bad decisions and kicks. Caused lots of undue pressure.
@SheldonK (Comment 28) : I don’t think Lizo got a fair shake. But he is young and needs a bit more experience I guess.
@Bokhoring (Comment 27) : @Bokhoring (Comment 29) : personally think Rassie will cut the following 5 players: Andre, Ggoboka, Koch, Orie and Elstadt. They will then be on standby with Marcell as injury cover.
@JD (Comment 32) : I agree with all but think Thomas DuToit could also face the axe, he just isn’t doing much at scrum time and gives penalties away. 2 of DuToit, Ggoboka, Koch to be cut
@SheldonK (Comment 33) : yes 2 props will be cut but as du Toit can play both sides and the others can’t it should see him get the place above the other 2.
@JD (Comment 34) : Possibly but think they see Nyakane as the swing prop. All DuToit’s shifting has actually made him regress I believe. Watching on the weekend his scrumming technique is not good. Experienced props will get him to collapse most times resulting in a penalty. His feet are too far back and he doesn’t drive forward with his hips but rather just his leans in.
@SheldonK (Comment 35) : did not watch the game and has not seen him play in a while but what I do know is I don’t like a prop playing both sides! At international (and even provincial) level I believe props need to specialize on one side of the scrum. Getting technique correct takes lots of training (and scrumming)! You know the saying: “Jack of all trades master of none” You will get players that can switch and be ok but they will very seldom be exceptional and be able to secure international selection in both positions.
@SheldonK (Comment 26) : @SheldonK (Comment 28) : Rassie has this thing about left and right wings, so i think Mapimpi makes the squad as the only true left wing.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 37) : If he does surely then the backs pretty much pick themselves unless Rassie does something quite different.
9 – DeKlerk, Jantjies, Reinach
10 – Pollard, Jantjies
Centres – De Allende, Am, Kriel
Back 3 – Le Roux, Kolbe, Nkosi, Mapimpi
Utility – Steyn
Thats 13 so then 18 forwards.
@SheldonK (Comment 38) : I was thinking 5 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks and 5 loosies which is 17 forwards, and that Rassie will bring another specialized 15 (Gelant) I don’t like it but what I think will happen.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 39) : Jon Cardinelli seems to think that there will be 6 loosies, taking both Marcell and Kwagga
@Dancing Bear (Comment 40) : Marcell picked up an ankle injury as well and needs an operation. So he is out of the WC unfortunately.
Thomas and Andre have been sent back to the Sharks
@Bokhoring (Comment 41) : Interesting since Gqoboka was also released. Only 5 props left, Beast, Kitshoff being the only Looseheads.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 42) : Nyakane will probably cover loose head if there’s an emergency.