The Springboks vs British & Irish Lions 1st Test Thread

[OomStruisbaai]

SARugbymag

Yaw Penxe and Rosko Specman (wings), Wandisile Simelane (centre), Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf), Dan du Preez (loose forward), Jean-Luc du Preez (utility forward), Coenie Oosthuizen and Lizo Gqoboka (props), Scarra Ntubeni and Fez Mbatha (hookers) released back to their franchises and clubs

[Sards]

SARugbymag

Yaw Penxe and Rosko Specman (wings), Wandisile Simelane (centre), Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf), Dan du Preez (loose forward), Jean-Luc du Preez (utility forward), Coenie Oosthuizen and Lizo Gqoboka (props), Scarra Ntubeni and Fez Mbatha (hookers) released back to their franchises and clubs

So they are persevering with that ex Stormers lock.....very strange decision.

[Uncle fester]

What's going on with that backrow? Thought Kwagga was a flanker?

Very good question. They're clearly going to play to the ball as opposed to carry it from the base.

Possibly a faster team to counter the Lions?

Ball control at the base is an actual skillset. Do any of the three have experience of it?

[JM2K6]

Very good question. They're clearly going to play to the ball as opposed to carry it from the base.

Possibly a faster team to counter the Lions?

Ball control at the base is an actual skillset. Do any of the three have experience of it?

It'll just be scrum penalties on engage tbh

[handyman]

I think there's a chance that that is not the actual starting team.

[OomStruisbaai]

All three test to be played in the Republic of the Western Cape .

[Raggs]

The Times have apparently leaked the Lions team, if anyone has a subscription?

[notfatcat]

WJ
LCD
TF
AWJ
MI
CL
TC
JC

AP
DB
DVDM
RH
ED
AW
SH

Is what is being proposed by 3 inside contacts Mr Planet Rugby

[boere wors]

All three test to be played in the Republic of the Western Cape .

Oh no

[Kawazaki]

The Times have apparently leaked the Lions team, if anyone has a subscription?

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THE LIONS
British & Irish Lions: Ali Price picked at scrum half with Elliot Daly at 13 – but no starting place for Owen Farrell
Alun Wyn Jones to captain side for first Test against South Africa
exclusive
new
Price, picture in action against Stormers on Saturday,
Price, picture in action against Stormers on Saturday,
DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES
Alex Lowe, Deputy Rugby Correspondent
Tuesday July 20 2021, 4.50pm, The Times
Share
Save
Alun Wyn Jones will captain a British & Irish Lions team primed to attack South Africa at pace in the first Test on Saturday after Warren Gatland picked Ali Price at scrum half, Elliot Daly at outside centre and Stuart Hogg at full back.

Gatland, the head coach, will announce his Test squad tomorrow but the players were told the team before this afternoon’s training session at the squad’s base an hour from Cape Town.

The Times understands that Luke Cowan-Dickie’s form has been rewarded with a start at hooker, Jack Conan has been preferred to Taulupe Faletau at No 8 and Duhan van der Merwe is a surprise choice on the wing ahead of Josh Adams.

While the onus in the starting XV is on pace and dynamism, the Lions have a power-packed bench with six forwards and two controlling half backs in Conor Murray and Owen Farrell.

Murray was appointed tour captain while Jones was in Wales recuperating from a dislocated shoulder, sustained in the victory over Japan at Murrayfield, on the basis that he was seen then as a likely Test starter.

The Ireland scrum half handed the captaincy back to Jones when the lock returned to the tour last week and he has now been edged out of the Test XV.

Price, whose tempo and quick decisions helped the Lions play a fast-paced game in their victory over DHL Stormers last Saturday, will forge a half-back partnership with Dan Biggar.

Robbie Henshaw and Daly, who started together against the Stormers last weekend, will continue their budding midfield partnership in the first Test.

Daly played wing for the Lions in their drawn series with New Zealand in 2017 and his only Test start at outside centre for England came against South Africa in 2016.

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However, Gatland selected Daly specifically as an outside centre for this tour and he has made five appearances, starting three times in the No 13 jersey. He will bring pace to the midfield, smart distribution in the wider channels and a left-footed kicking option.

Henshaw’s tour, in contrast, has been interrupted by injury and his first appearance on South African soil came against the Stormers but he did enough in 58 minutes to convince Gatland he was ready.

The Lions report that Liam Williams is fit for selection, having passed his head-injury protocols, but Hogg has been preferred at full back with Anthony Watson set to win his fourth Lions Test cap on one wing and Van der Merwe, the Scotland and former South Africa Under-20 wing, bringing power to the back three.

Up front, Cowan-Dickie’s combative, accurate, aggressive performance against the Stormers appears to have earned him the starting Test berth. Ken Owens is believed to be on the bench, with Jamie George missing out.

Wyn Jones and Tadhg Furlong are set to start as props, with Rory Sutherland and Kyle Sinckler primed to come on and match the Springboks’ heavy-duty bench. South Africa have opted to keep back Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe for a second-half power injection.

Alun Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje will form the second row, with Conan flanked in the back row by Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes, in recognition that the lineout promises to be a fierce battleground.

The Lions’ 6-2 bench includes Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson and Iain Henderson, which means no room for Faletau, the starting No 8 in New Zealand four years ago.

Expected British & Irish Lions team to face South Africa
S Hogg; A Watson, E Daly, R Henshaw, D van der Merwe; D Biggar, A Price; W Jones, L Cowan-Dickie, T Furlong, A W Jones (c), M Itoje, C Lawes, T Curry, J Conan.
Replacements K Owens, R Sutherland, K Sinckler, T Beirne, H Watson, I Henderson, C Murray, O Farrell.

[SaintK]

Spoiler

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The Times have apparently leaked the Lions team, if anyone has a subscription?

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THE LIONS
British & Irish Lions: Ali Price picked at scrum half with Elliot Daly at 13 – but no starting place for Owen Farrell
Alun Wyn Jones to captain side for first Test against South Africa
exclusive
new
Price, picture in action against Stormers on Saturday,
Price, picture in action against Stormers on Saturday,
DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES
Alex Lowe, Deputy Rugby Correspondent
Tuesday July 20 2021, 4.50pm, The Times
Share
Save
Alun Wyn Jones will captain a British & Irish Lions team primed to attack South Africa at pace in the first Test on Saturday after Warren Gatland picked Ali Price at scrum half, Elliot Daly at outside centre and Stuart Hogg at full back.

Gatland, the head coach, will announce his Test squad tomorrow but the players were told the team before this afternoon’s training session at the squad’s base an hour from Cape Town.

The Times understands that Luke Cowan-Dickie’s form has been rewarded with a start at hooker, Jack Conan has been preferred to Taulupe Faletau at No 8 and Duhan van der Merwe is a surprise choice on the wing ahead of Josh Adams.

While the onus in the starting XV is on pace and dynamism, the Lions have a power-packed bench with six forwards and two controlling half backs in Conor Murray and Owen Farrell.

Murray was appointed tour captain while Jones was in Wales recuperating from a dislocated shoulder, sustained in the victory over Japan at Murrayfield, on the basis that he was seen then as a likely Test starter.

The Ireland scrum half handed the captaincy back to Jones when the lock returned to the tour last week and he has now been edged out of the Test XV.

Price, whose tempo and quick decisions helped the Lions play a fast-paced game in their victory over DHL Stormers last Saturday, will forge a half-back partnership with Dan Biggar.

Robbie Henshaw and Daly, who started together against the Stormers last weekend, will continue their budding midfield partnership in the first Test.

Daly played wing for the Lions in their drawn series with New Zealand in 2017 and his only Test start at outside centre for England came against South Africa in 2016.

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However, Gatland selected Daly specifically as an outside centre for this tour and he has made five appearances, starting three times in the No 13 jersey. He will bring pace to the midfield, smart distribution in the wider channels and a left-footed kicking option.

Henshaw’s tour, in contrast, has been interrupted by injury and his first appearance on South African soil came against the Stormers but he did enough in 58 minutes to convince Gatland he was ready.

The Lions report that Liam Williams is fit for selection, having passed his head-injury protocols, but Hogg has been preferred at full back with Anthony Watson set to win his fourth Lions Test cap on one wing and Van der Merwe, the Scotland and former South Africa Under-20 wing, bringing power to the back three.

Up front, Cowan-Dickie’s combative, accurate, aggressive performance against the Stormers appears to have earned him the starting Test berth. Ken Owens is believed to be on the bench, with Jamie George missing out.

Wyn Jones and Tadhg Furlong are set to start as props, with Rory Sutherland and Kyle Sinckler primed to come on and match the Springboks’ heavy-duty bench. South Africa have opted to keep back Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe for a second-half power injection.

Alun Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje will form the second row, with Conan flanked in the back row by Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes, in recognition that the lineout promises to be a fierce battleground.

The Lions’ 6-2 bench includes Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson and Iain Henderson, which means no room for Faletau, the starting No 8 in New Zealand four years ago.

Expected British & Irish Lions team to face South Africa

S Hogg; A Watson, E Daly, R Henshaw, D van der Merwe; D Biggar, A Price; W Jones, L Cowan-Dickie, T Furlong, A W Jones (c), M Itoje, C Lawes, T Curry, J Conan.
Replacements K Owens, R Sutherland, K Sinckler, T Beirne, H Watson, I Henderson, C Murray, O Farrell.

Not too shoddy. Owens gets the nod over George on the bench which is probably the only surprise

[And 1 guest]

Slightly surprised that Henderson and Beirne are both on the bench. Can see the case for either of them but with Lawes starting it looks like an awful lot of people who can cover lock

[Kawazaki]

I'm pleased for Elliott Daly, he's played really well on this tour and looks a much better test player in this environment away from Eddie Jones.

My main concern is that there isn't really much on the bench to really change things, especially in the backs.

[GogLais]

He’s certainly done his best not to be accused of favouring the Welsh. I didn’t expect that none of Navidi, Faletau, Davies, Adams, LRZ or Williams would be in the 23.

[boere wors]

I think there's a chance that that is not the actual starting team.

Why?

[GogLais]

He’s certainly done his best not to be accused of favouring the Welsh. I didn’t expect that none of Navidi, Faletau, Davies, Adams, LRZ or Williams would be in the 23.

Or Beard!

[OomStruisbaai]

SARugbymag

Yaw Penxe and Rosko Specman (wings), Wandisile Simelane (centre), Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf), Dan du Preez (loose forward), Jean-Luc du Preez (utility forward), Coenie Oosthuizen and Lizo Gqoboka (props), Scarra Ntubeni and Fez Mbatha (hookers) released back to their franchises and clubs

So they are persevering with that ex Stormers lock.....very strange decision.

Don't let x Stormer players get to you.

[Blake]

I dont really get that team. We are playing thomas du toit, Cobus, Morne, Jasper, Marco throughout the Preparation, yet they dont even feature in the bench. Instead we persist with Trevor, who has been shit in his apperances and with useless Elstadt. Lood is on the bench, who should be rather starting and empty his tank before being replaced. Our starting props will fold, just like against Georgia. Elton as an impact player? Kicking the last Penaltys?

Yeah. I'm not happy. Why send Dan & JLDP home?

I’m also a little perplexed and very disappointed in the selections. I think they’ve made a massive mistake.
Hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think we’re going to take the first test with that team.

Very undercooked and lacking fitness/game time. Lots of recent Covid recoveries in there. Weak front row and weird mix of loose forwards. No van Staden on the bench? WTF?

[Sandstorm]

Amazed at the following selections

1. Smith instead of Wiese , Wiese is the natural successor to Vermeulen
2. Nyakane instead of Malherbe, Malherbe is the worlds best THP
3. Niche instead of Kitshoff, Kitshoff is the worlds best LHP
4. Elton instead of Morne Steyn. Elton is a choker

I suspect Wiese is still injured but then I would play Dan or JLDP and they've all been released from the squad.

No dickheads policy in action.

[Sandstorm]

I dont really get that team. We are playing thomas du toit, Cobus, Morne, Jasper, Marco throughout the Preparation, yet they dont even feature in the bench. Instead we persist with Trevor, who has been shit in his apperances and with useless Elstadt. Lood is on the bench, who should be rather starting and empty his tank before being replaced. Our starting props will fold, just like against Georgia. Elton as an impact player? Kicking the last Penaltys?

Yeah. I'm not happy. Why send Dan & JLDP home?

I’m also a little perplexed and very disappointed in the selections. I think they’ve made a massive mistake.
Hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think we’re going to take the first test with that team.

Very undercooked and lacking fitness/game time. Lots of recent Covid recoveries in there. Weak front row and weird mix of loose forwards. No van Staden on the bench? WTF?

Looks like Rassie is only targeting wins in Tests 2 & 3.

[boere wors]

01. Kitshoff
02. Bongi
03. Malherbe
04. Etzebeth
05. Lood
06. Siya
07. PSdT
08. Wiese
09. Faf
10. Pollard
11. Mapimpi
12. De Allende
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Willie

16. Thomas du Toit
17. Marx
18. Koch/Wilco Louw
19. Mostert
20. JLdP/van Staden
21. Reinach
22. M.Steyn
23. Willemse

This would have been the team that would have made sense in terms of players who were in form and featured in the preparation matches the last weeks, taking into account that some like mapimpi, siya, handre and Lood were always going to be rushed back after covid, fit or not. Not taking into account quotas. JLdP over marco as he covers both lock and backrow, and certainly to be prefered over Elstadt who would offer the same positions.

[assfly]

Weird team. The bench just doesn't make sense. I'm pleased Ox is in the mix, but there's no doubt our strongest front row isn't starting.

As for the rest of the bench. What does Rassie see in Elstadt? When you compare our bench to the Lions bench there is a massive gulf in quality.

Let's see what Rassie has up his sleeves, but I'm not feeling very good about Saturday all of a sudden.

[average joe]

01. Kitshoff
02. Bongi
03. Malherbe
04. Etzebeth
05. Lood
06. Siya
07. PSdT
08. Wiese
09. Faf
10. Pollard
11. Mapimpi
12. De Allende
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Willie

16. Thomas du Toit
17. Marx
18. Koch/Wilco Louw
19. Mostert
20. JLdP/van Staden
21. Reinach
22. M.Steyn
23. Willemse

This would have been the team that would have made sense in terms of players who were in form and featured in the preparation matches the last weeks, taking into account that some like mapimpi, siya, handre and Lood were always going to be rushed back after covid, fit or not. Not taking into account quotas. JLdP over marco as he covers both lock and backrow, and certainly to be prefered over Elstadt who would offer the same positions.

Too white. The politicos want a certain percentage of the starting players to be black African. You only have 4 in the starting team and none in the reserves.

[Chilli]

In Rassie We Trust!

Unless we lose this test then its Rassie out!

[Sandstorm]

Massive load on Pollard’s shoulders to be excellent without any game time for weeks.

[boere wors]

01. Kitshoff
02. Bongi
03. Malherbe
04. Etzebeth
05. Lood
06. Siya
07. PSdT
08. Wiese
09. Faf
10. Pollard
11. Mapimpi
12. De Allende
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Willie

16. Thomas du Toit
17. Marx
18. Koch/Wilco Louw
19. Mostert
20. JLdP/van Staden
21. Reinach
22. M.Steyn
23. Willemse

This would have been the team that would have made sense in terms of players who were in form and featured in the preparation matches the last weeks, taking into account that some like mapimpi, siya, handre and Lood were always going to be rushed back after covid, fit or not. Not taking into account quotas. JLdP over marco as he covers both lock and backrow, and certainly to be prefered over Elstadt who would offer the same positions.

Too white. The politicos want a certain percentage of the starting players to be black African. You only have 4 in the starting team and none in the reserves.

Bolded part

[boere wors]

Massive load on Pollard’s shoulders to be excellent without any game time for weeks.

No problem man, we have Elton on the bench to do a Morne Steyn 2009 impression and kick the decisive penalty in the 80th minute.

[Chilli]

We sit with a similar situation in 2021 as we did in 2009.

In 2009 Snor was the "coach", but the team was actually being coached by Smit, Matfield and FDP.

In 2021 Nienaber is the coach, but Rassie is actually coaching.

It bodes well for us

[Sandstorm]

We sit with a similar situation in 2021 as we did in 2009.

In 2009 Snor was the "coach", but the team was actually being coached by Smit, Matfield and FDP.

In 2021 Nienaber is the coach, but Rassie is actually coaching.

It bodes well for us

Can Rassie still pick up the ball at the base of the scrum?

[Chilli]

We sit with a similar situation in 2021 as we did in 2009.

In 2009 Snor was the "coach", but the team was actually being coached by Smit, Matfield and FDP.

In 2021 Nienaber is the coach, but Rassie is actually coaching.

It bodes well for us

Can Rassie still pick up the ball at the base of the scrum?

He has put on quite a bit of weight has our Rassie, so he is bulky enough to play.

Then to be fair my mother in law playing at 8 would inspire me more than Kwagga.

[assfly]

This will make or break Ox.

I've always thought he's been underrated. He hasn't had a bad game for the Sharks since joining, his scrumming is excellent and he does a lot of hard work around the park. I can certainly see why he has been given the 1 jersey.

I just hope he's been given the mandate to go absolutely mental in the first half and then let Ginga come on and wreck havoc too.

[OomStruisbaai]

01. Kitshoff
02. Bongi
03. Malherbe
04. Etzebeth
05. Lood
06. Siya
07. PSdT
08. Wiese
09. Faf
10. Pollard
11. Mapimpi
12. De Allende
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Willie

16. Thomas du Toit
17. Marx
18. Koch/Wilco Louw
19. Mostert
20. JLdP/van Staden
21. Reinach
22. M.Steyn
23. Willemse

This would have been the team that would have made sense in terms of players who were in form and featured in the preparation matches the last weeks, taking into account that some like mapimpi, siya, handre and Lood were always going to be rushed back after covid, fit or not. Not taking into account quotas. JLdP over marco as he covers both lock and backrow, and certainly to be prefered over Elstadt who would offer the same positions.

Too white. The politicos want a certain percentage of the starting players to be black African. You only have 4 in the starting team and none in the reserves.

Bolded part

You know thats what most dont understand and I dont mean it in a negative way. Rassie and NieNaber has been doing very good dealing with this.

What do you think will happen if Gatland is force to select 5 Irish and 5 Scots players in his match 15? He'll have to leave out Welsch/English players to accommodate them.


Lets keep faith in our coaches and back them

[OomStruisbaai]

This will make or break Ox.

I've always thought he's been underrated. He hasn't had a bad game for the Sharks since joining, his scrumming is excellent and he does a lot of hard work around the park. I can certainly see why he has been given the 1 jersey.

I just hope he's been given the mandate to go absolutely mental in the first half and then let Ginga come on and wreck havoc too.

Ox will be fine. Trevor is the worry. Daan Human coach him at the Bulls. He put his faith in him. They only need to hold the scrum, if they can do it for 40 minutes , we'll be OK. The worry is that if you struggle scrum time , you need to value possession. No stupid box kicking, keep ball in hand.

[average joe]

01. Kitshoff
02. Bongi
03. Malherbe
04. Etzebeth
05. Lood
06. Siya
07. PSdT
08. Wiese
09. Faf
10. Pollard
11. Mapimpi
12. De Allende
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Willie

16. Thomas du Toit
17. Marx
18. Koch/Wilco Louw
19. Mostert
20. JLdP/van Staden
21. Reinach
22. M.Steyn
23. Willemse

This would have been the team that would have made sense in terms of players who were in form and featured in the preparation matches the last weeks, taking into account that some like mapimpi, siya, handre and Lood were always going to be rushed back after covid, fit or not. Not taking into account quotas. JLdP over marco as he covers both lock and backrow, and certainly to be prefered over Elstadt who would offer the same positions.

Too white. The politicos want a certain percentage of the starting players to be black African. You only have 4 in the starting team and none in the reserves.

Bolded part

That's the thing, as a coach picking the team you can't not take it into account

The complaints on here have been about certain players that missed out. If Nienaber picked those players there be very little room for black players and the team would look like the milky bar express.

[sorCrer]

Massive load on Pollard’s shoulders to be excellent without any game time for weeks.

No problem man, we have Elton on the bench to do a Morne Steyn 2009 impression and kick the decisive penalty in the 80th minute.

You've clearly forgotten Elton missing the winning kick in the dying minutes against Oz in Bloem leaving us at 23 all. I was there and I haven't.

[Chilli]

This will make or break Ox.

I've always thought he's been underrated. He hasn't had a bad game for the Sharks since joining, his scrumming is excellent and he does a lot of hard work around the park. I can certainly see why he has been given the 1 jersey.

I just hope he's been given the mandate to go absolutely mental in the first half and then let Ginga come on and wreck havoc too.

He hasn't been quite as good as when he was at the Freestate, but yrs he has been good

[Chilli]

Massive load on Pollard’s shoulders to be excellent without any game time for weeks.

No problem man, we have Elton on the bench to do a Morne Steyn 2009 impression and kick the decisive penalty in the 80th minute.

You've clearly forgotten Elton missing the winning kick in the dying minutes against Oz in Bloem leaving us at 23 all. I was there and I haven't.

Has Elton ever had a good test against a tier one nation? Now he is playing against 3 tier one countries and Wales

[OomStruisbaai]

The rain is hectic at the moment. Saw in the last few matches the field is slippery at CT Stadium. Expect lots of kicking.

[boere wors]

Massive load on Pollard’s shoulders to be excellent without any game time for weeks.

No problem man, we have Elton on the bench to do a Morne Steyn 2009 impression and kick the decisive penalty in the 80th minute.

You've clearly forgotten Elton missing the winning kick in the dying minutes against Oz in Bloem leaving us at 23 all. I was there and I haven't.

Was meant to be ironic. Makes me shiver thinking of Elton coming on in a close match.

[Sards]

This will make or break Ox.

I've always thought he's been underrated. He hasn't had a bad game for the Sharks since joining, his scrumming is excellent and he does a lot of hard work around the park. I can certainly see why he has been given the 1 jersey.

I just hope he's been given the mandate to go absolutely mental in the first half and then let Ginga come on and wreck havoc too.

I have seen nothing from the BILs to suggest they are a powerful scrumming force. This suites Ox. Come on early and be the Ox like The Beast used to do the job. After that we can let the others scrum the life out of the test and get us penalties.