Official Springbok selection, moaning and bitching thread

[boere wors]

The vacant 7 jersey should provide a great opportunity to one of our many great flanks to get some gametime. But I can't help but feel the ones in the current squad aren't the answer.

I haven't seen anything from Nico Janse van Rensburg that warrants his inclusion in the squad. Even if he gets selected, I can't see him getting a handful of caps and then disappearing.

I don't think Elstadt or Kwagga are our best options. I personally would have liked to have seen JLdP be given the chance, or someone like Elrigh Louw or Vincent Tshituka also given a couple of games to see how they get on.

Totally agree. Mostert will be our 7 in PSdT absence for now, which is fine, he is pure class. But now that he is rested we have to look at alternatives. NJvR has played 7 for Montpellier, so why not go with him. Did he shine in the SA A match, not really, but he is in the squad and can't be worse than Kwagga. We would have Marcell Coetzee and JLdP available for selection, both are world class and can play multiple positions. Especially JL deserves a chance imho, in the dark 2016/2017 years he has been one of the few standout players for the boks. He covers 4 to 8, which would be a real asset to have on the bench at least.
But it is probably right, Rassie et al like to stick with what they know and have, they have said so before. Players that are familiar with their approach and system. Will be though to get kwagga and Elstadt out.

[assfly]

I've no doubt Mostert can do the job, but I also think we've got 4 world class locks in him, Eben, Lood and RG and with the amount of rugby coming up we'll need that depth.

[handyman]

I've no doubt Mostert can do the job, but I also think we've got 4 world class locks in him, Eben, Lood and RG and with the amount of rugby coming up we'll need that depth.

Correct. If you keep these 4 players fit, fresh and in form, that's massive for SA.

[Chilli]

I've no doubt Mostert can do the job, but I also think we've got 4 world class locks in him, Eben, Lood and RG and with the amount of rugby coming up we'll need that depth.

This is the point.
We need RG back and fit. Ready to lay, before we move Mostert to 7 for PSDT.

[handyman]

I've no doubt Mostert can do the job, but I also think we've got 4 world class locks in him, Eben, Lood and RG and with the amount of rugby coming up we'll need that depth.

This is the point.
We need RG back and fit. Ready to lay, before we move Mostert to 7 for PSDT.

He would have been fit if he did not set fire to himself. Hopefully a lesson learned.

[boere wors]

I've no doubt Mostert can do the job, but I also think we've got 4 world class locks in him, Eben, Lood and RG and with the amount of rugby coming up we'll need that depth.

This is the point.
We need RG back and fit. Ready to lay, before we move Mostert to 7 for PSDT.

Or find a decent 7 so mostert can stay at lock. That was my point

[boere wors]

I've no doubt Mostert can do the job, but I also think we've got 4 world class locks in him, Eben, Lood and RG and with the amount of rugby coming up we'll need that depth.

Certainly, we didnt have a fresh lock cover on the bench in the 3rd test, which was quite the opposite to what won us the World cup, where we had 2 locks on the bench. Almost bite our ass when mostert went down injured in the beginning of the match. I prefer the RWC way. So ja, we need them all fit and thus find a decent 7 other than mostert

[Blake]

The vacant 7 jersey should provide a great opportunity to one of our many great flanks to get some gametime. But I can't help but feel the ones in the current squad aren't the answer.

I haven't seen anything from Nico Janse van Rensburg that warrants his inclusion in the squad. Even if he gets selected, I can't see him getting a handful of caps and then disappearing.

I don't think Elstadt or Kwagga are our best options. I personally would have liked to have seen JLdP be given the chance, or someone like Elrigh Louw or Vincent Tshituka also given a couple of games to see how they get on.

Tshituka must surely be called up this year
Surely

Tshituka is injured. I also don't know if he is qualified for SA yet or if he has a SA Passport.

Great player, hope we can get him into the Bok setup, but there is a lot of homework required to make that happen.

[FalseBayFC]

The vacant 7 jersey should provide a great opportunity to one of our many great flanks to get some gametime. But I can't help but feel the ones in the current squad aren't the answer.

I haven't seen anything from Nico Janse van Rensburg that warrants his inclusion in the squad. Even if he gets selected, I can't see him getting a handful of caps and then disappearing.

I don't think Elstadt or Kwagga are our best options. I personally would have liked to have seen JLdP be given the chance, or someone like Elrigh Louw or Vincent Tshituka also given a couple of games to see how they get on.

Tshituka must surely be called up this year
Surely

Tshituka is injured. I also don't know if he is qualified for SA yet or if he has a SA Passport.

Great player, hope we can get him into the Bok setup, but there is a lot of homework required to make that happen.

The Central/West African immigrant community are going to yield a great treasure to South African sporting scene in the coming years. They have ridiculous genetics. If you take a walk down Wynberg Main road or look at the Cape Town bouncers its striking how many immensely tall, broad-shouldered francophone men there are. Zimbabwean immigrants are also excelling at school level. My sister recently lamented how her son's u15A Kearsney team got thrashed earlier this year by Northwood who she said were full of massive black Zimbos.

Sport is a hugely attractive opportunity for immigrant families. Rugby offers an almost immediate income to those talented enough. A couple of years out of school and a sponsored 4x4 and all the trappings. I remember Tendai Mtawarira walking in a pair of slops to club rugby practice in Durban North. That year he was playing loose forward. Two or three years later he was taking apart Phil Vickery and driving an X5.

[sorCrer]

Tshituka must surely be called up this year
Surely

Tshituka is injured. I also don't know if he is qualified for SA yet or if he has a SA Passport.

Great player, hope we can get him into the Bok setup, but there is a lot of homework required to make that happen.

The Central/West African immigrant community are going to yield a great treasure to South African sporting scene in the coming years. They have ridiculous genetics. If you take a walk down Wynberg Main road or look at the Cape Town bouncers its striking how many immensely tall, broad-shouldered francophone men there are. Zimbabwean immigrants are also excelling at school level. My sister recently lamented how her son's u15A Kearsney team got thrashed earlier this year by Northwood who she said were full of massive black Zimbos.

Sport is a hugely attractive opportunity for immigrant families. Rugby offers an almost immediate income to those talented enough. A couple of years out of school and a sponsored 4x4 and all the trappings. I remember Tendai Mtawarira walking in a pair of slops to club rugby practice in Durban North. That year he was playing loose forward. Two or three years later he was taking apart Phil Vickery and driving an X5.

Ah me old school...well kinda.

[assfly]

The Central/West African immigrant community are going to yield a great treasure to South African sporting scene in the coming years. They have ridiculous genetics. If you take a walk down Wynberg Main road or look at the Cape Town bouncers its striking how many immensely tall, broad-shouldered francophone men there are. Zimbabwean immigrants are also excelling at school level. My sister recently lamented how her son's u15A Kearsney team got thrashed earlier this year by Northwood who she said were full of massive black Zimbos.

Sport is a hugely attractive opportunity for immigrant families. Rugby offers an almost immediate income to those talented enough. A couple of years out of school and a sponsored 4x4 and all the trappings. I remember Tendai Mtawarira walking in a pair of slops to club rugby practice in Durban North. That year he was playing loose forward. Two or three years later he was taking apart Phil Vickery and driving an X5.

I'd far rather see World Rugby put more effort into developing these national teams, rather than South Africa see them as recruitment opportunities.

Admittedly you can't fight the economic forces that bring a lot of these people to South Africa. But it would still be much better if the unions could pay some of the players to stay and become semi-professional and build the game.

I also think that the Springboks have long neglected their African brothers and would love to see an emerging Springboks team participate in the Rugby Africa Cup.

[FalseBayFC]

The Central/West African immigrant community are going to yield a great treasure to South African sporting scene in the coming years. They have ridiculous genetics. If you take a walk down Wynberg Main road or look at the Cape Town bouncers its striking how many immensely tall, broad-shouldered francophone men there are. Zimbabwean immigrants are also excelling at school level. My sister recently lamented how her son's u15A Kearsney team got thrashed earlier this year by Northwood who she said were full of massive black Zimbos.

Sport is a hugely attractive opportunity for immigrant families. Rugby offers an almost immediate income to those talented enough. A couple of years out of school and a sponsored 4x4 and all the trappings. I remember Tendai Mtawarira walking in a pair of slops to club rugby practice in Durban North. That year he was playing loose forward. Two or three years later he was taking apart Phil Vickery and driving an X5.

I'd far rather see World Rugby put more effort into developing these national teams, rather than South Africa see them as recruitment opportunities.

Admittedly you can't fight the economic forces that bring a lot of these people to South Africa. But it would still be much better if the unions could pay some of the players to stay and become semi-professional and build the game.

I also think that the Springboks have long neglected their African brothers and would love to see an emerging Springboks team participate in the Rugby Africa Cup.

Yeah but most of these kids will be naturalized South Africans or even born here. Their parents are here for the long haul and are economic immigrants. Not like we're poaching them as rugby prospects.

And I think we should poach every fucker we can in every sport possible. I was amazed at how many Olympians were either immigrants or straight out poaches. The rest of the world is doing it and we'd be stupid not too.

NZ is taking adult Saffer cricketers like Wagner and Conway with no shame. Elite sport is all about money now. I'm in favour of us offering scholarships to talented Africans and incentivizing them to stay. NZ do this in the Pacific Islands with great success.

[Calculon]

Yeah, I agree, get the best talent available. Seeing Central Africans play for the Boks migh even promote the game in that region

[Sards]

Great start to the RC.

Well done to Nienaber

[Sards]

Very pleased with the three tries scored on the weekend. A brilliant individual effort from all 3 players. Reinach, Fassi and Hendricks, to secure the bonus point. Let's hope we see more of these servants of Springbok rugby. You do not get a lot of chances to impress and although Hendricks did not start he got us that all important bonus try.

Big thumbs up to Kolisi for playing through illness to guide the team.

Big thumbs up to Nienaber for not running onto the field as waterboy causing the halves to run into 60 minutes.

Big thumbs up to our front row that tamed the BILs in the first test and made fun of the Argentina scrum effort.
.
Very happy chappy this morning. I might just drive up the coast to see the flowers

[Sards]

Eben

[Sards]

Very happy chappy this morning. I might just drive up the coast to see the flowers

The queue to get into the West Coast reserve is insane. Decided to lunch at Langebaan and try from that entrance after.,..

well it went so so. Easy in but card machine not working so only cash and I was not in the mood for that drama. Saw plenty flowers anyway

[boere wors]

Very happy chappy this morning. I might just drive up the coast to see the flowers

The queue to get into the West Coast reserve is insane. Decided to lunch at Langebaan and try from that entrance after.,..

well it went so so. Easy in but card machine not working so only cash and I was not in the mood for that drama. Saw plenty flowers anyway

Nice boet! Post some pictures if you can... maybe on the saffer thread. The western cape in pictures thread was the other board i guess

[Sards]

JLDP joins bok squad

[sorCrer]

JLDP joins bok squad

Excellent news.

[boere wors]

JLDP joins bok squad

Yes yes yes yes...

That is excellent news, he should be with the boks. Offers great versatility, can cover 4 to 8. The ultimate bomb squader. He has been one of the standout performers during the 2016/2017 season for us, and has been in great form lately for sale sharks. Guess he is in for injured Elstadt?

[OomStruisbaai]

Probably, not officially.

[Sards]

Du Preez was a member of the expanded Springbok squad earlier in the season, and he returned to the Sale Sharks after Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber reduced the size of the squad following the South Africa ‘A’ matches during the Castle Lager Lions Series.

With one more Test in Nelson Mandela Bay against Argentina on Saturday and a tour to Australasia looming, Nienaber opted to recall Du Preez, who boasts 13 Test caps.

“We have a physically demanding Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign ahead, which includes a long tour, and given the strict protocols in place to call up players to Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we opted to draft Jean-Luc into the group sooner rather than later,” said Nienaber.

“He is a seasoned player and understands the demands of playing competitions such as this, and over and above that he is familiar with our structures, so we are looking forward to seeing him back in the mix.”

[Sards]

We just need Andre Esterhuizen now....

Nienaber is growing on me.
Not stuck on jobs for pels like Rassie was

[assfly]

Great news about JLdP. Never should have left in the first place.

[handyman]

I was impressed by Dan du Preez. Such a solid player, don't make mistakes, get's over the advantage line and makes dominant tackles. Well done on him leaving the saarks and becoming a better player abroad.

[handyman]

We just need Andre Esterhuizen now....

Nienaber is growing on me.
Not stuck on jobs for pels like Rassie was

There's trolling and then there's trolling.

[boere wors]

From sa rugby mag: JLdP was among those released before the first Test against the Lions after picking up a minor knee injury, and returned to his club in northwest England.

So not a dickhead...

[Blake]

Big thumbs up to Nienaber for not running onto the field as waterboy causing the halves to run into 60 minutes.

The head coach is expressly forbidden from acting as a water carrier.

That’s why Rassie as the Director of Rugby could get away with it. Or Nienaber used to do since he was also a qualified physio was allowed to run the touch line and coordinate the defense. They exploit loopholes. It’s what they have always done; bend every rule to see where it breaks and test every grey area to see what you can get away with. At best you get a real advantage before anybody else, at worst it trolls the opposition coaches and media and distracts them.

[Sards]

Big thumbs up to Nienaber for not running onto the field as waterboy causing the halves to run into 60 minutes.

The head coach is expressly forbidden from acting as a water carrier.

That’s why Rassie as the Director of Rugby could get away with it. Or Nienaber used to do since he was also a qualified physio was allowed to run the touch line and coordinate the defense. They exploit loopholes. It’s what they have always done; bend every rule to see where it breaks and test every grey area to see what you can get away with. At best you get a real advantage before anybody else, at worst it trolls the opposition coaches and media and distracts them.

At worst it spoils the spectacle and runs a 40 minute half into 60 minutes of stoppages...
I do not condone this at all......

[OomStruisbaai]

We just need Andre Esterhuizen now....

Nienaber is growing on me.
Not stuck on jobs for pels like Rassie was

If you think NieNaber dont report to Rassie then you are as thick as I think you are.

[OomStruisbaai]

I like when coaches don't look like high and mighty sir, sitting in the box with a tie and black suit. Rassie the waterboy is cool, show he have a passion for his team. Its also great working on the opponents tits.

[FalseBayFC]

Big thumbs up to Nienaber for not running onto the field as waterboy causing the halves to run into 60 minutes.

The head coach is expressly forbidden from acting as a water carrier.

That’s why Rassie as the Director of Rugby could get away with it. Or Nienaber used to do since he was also a qualified physio was allowed to run the touch line and coordinate the defense. They exploit loopholes. It’s what they have always done; bend every rule to see where it breaks and test every grey area to see what you can get away with. At best you get a real advantage before anybody else, at worst it trolls the opposition coaches and media and distracts them.

LOL It's like Putin and Medvedev. But just about every pro sport allows the coach/manager to interact with players during game time. What's the difference if it is by a messenger water boy or direct from the coach. Tired of this old RFU blazer and tie hypocrisy. Rassie is giving the tree a bit of a shake and its annoying the fuck out of people. And they can't sanction him really. Maybe a sternly worded warning.

[Sandstorm]

Big thumbs up to Nienaber for not running onto the field as waterboy causing the halves to run into 60 minutes.

The head coach is expressly forbidden from acting as a water carrier.

That’s why Rassie as the Director of Rugby could get away with it. Or Nienaber used to do since he was also a qualified physio was allowed to run the touch line and coordinate the defense. They exploit loopholes. It’s what they have always done; bend every rule to see where it breaks and test every grey area to see what you can get away with. At best you get a real advantage before anybody else, at worst it trolls the opposition coaches and media and distracts them.

At worst it spoils the spectacle and runs a 40 minute half into 60 minutes of stoppages...
I do not condone this at all......

The water booi caused 20 mins of extra play in Cape Town?

[Blake]

But just about every pro sport allows the coach/manager to interact with players during game time. What's the difference if it is by a messenger water boy or direct from the coach. Tired of this old RFU blazer and tie hypocrisy. Rassie is giving the tree a bit of a shake and its annoying the fuck out of people. And they can't sanction him really. Maybe a sternly worded warning.

Exactly. I look forward to rugby becoming like the NFL with coaches in giant headphones pacing up and down the touchline. I don't mind it at all.
And I also like Rassie shaking things up; forcing the WR to get off their backsides and codify things properly. Even now all they have is vague threats and charges...bringing the game into disrepute.

All Rassie's defense will do is bring up every Clive Woodward, Eddie Jones, Cheka etc. moan about a referee and ask what the sanction there was? Why is Rassie being made an example of, when nothing has been codified regarding criticism of the officials. Make it a rule, and then everybody knows about it and follows it.

The thing I like about how Rassie and Nienaber coach, is they take everything to it's logical extreme to expose it's absurdity. Gatland infers impartiality by an offical and gets away with it, so Rassie takes it to the extreme to show the hypocrisy of it all. Love it. Same thing with the Farrell tackle on Esterhuizen against England and his subsequent troll in the post match conference and on Twitter. "If that's a legal tackle we should be training to execute like that because it is very effective"

[Blake]

At worst it spoils the spectacle and runs a 40 minute half into 60 minutes of stoppages...
I do not condone this at all......

When your team is not as conditioned as the opposition who want to speed up the tempo, why not use every means available to slow the game down?
It's another grey area...who gets to decide what a player is injured enough to warrant a stoppage in play?

The ball is now in WR's court to earn their money try and codify into law how stoppages are to be managed.
Put a 90 second timer on it. If a player can't continue after 90 seconds he should be subbed. If the sub is not ready to start play after 90s, free kick to the opposition.
Problem solved. Also; stop the clock for scrum resets etc.

But until any of those become law, we should milk whatever we can to win when it suits our gameplan.

[Chilli]

I'm confused.
Has Sards flip flopped from loving Rassie to disliking him?
And implying that Nienaber is dumb to thinking that Nienaber is the master tactician?

Please help.

[Chilli]

I'm confused.
Has Sards flip flopped from loving Rassie to disliking him?
And implying that Nienaber is dumb to thinking that Nienaber is the master tactician?

Please help.

[Sards]

I have been waiting for Nienaber to actually coach a side without Rassie's heavy handed involvement. He did a great job. Some of you might like the mess Rassie is making. I don't. But he is a very intelligent man. He doesn't need to tarnish his reputation

[assfly]

Saw a crazy stat on Twitter that I can't find again.

Apparently in the last 10 tests the Boks have only leaded 4 tries. Compared to other countries, England was 20 tries leaked.

Our defence is simply incredible.