Weekend thread - Ita v NZ 1p | Eng v Ton 3.15p | Wal v SA 5.30p | Fra v Arg 8p | Sco v Aus Sun 2.15

[SaintK]

Our lineout continues to be a thing of beauty with 12/12 and one steal. The Boks do need to find ways to control their own destiny a bit more rather than waiting for oppo to make mistakes. We utterly dominated possession and territory in the second half and despite the conditions should have score more points.

We utterly dominated a pretty crappy Welsh team.
On paper we have such a talented backline but they just can't perform.

Can't? Or not allowed to due to the game plan?

[Torquemada 1420]

I am not a gambler so dunno what that mean. Scotland were impressive yesterday. They beat a team that give us the biggest hiding since many moons ago.

Yes: but it was not the same Aus side. Key absences due to player availability (e.g. Kerevi and Cooper) plus injuries had some impact. I had Scotland to win......... by 1.
I won't be picking them to win against your lot unless there are some mental, wholesale squad changes.

[OomStruisbaai]

I must admit that it look like the Springbokke play much better away from home since winning the WC in Japan.

Maybe appreciate playing in front of a crowd after all the empty stadiums.

[Big D]

Maybe? Scots are the big favorites Bokke will need to up their game.

If you truly believe that, which I don't think anyone does, then you'll be delighted to find odds of nearly 3/1 on Scotland winning or if you are feeling cagey, Scotland with a 7 point head start is 10/11.

I am not a gambler so dunno what that mean. Scotland were impressive yesterday. They beat a team that give us the biggest hiding since many moons ago.

It means the bookmakers, and those thus far that have put money on the game consider SA pretty decent favourites to win the game.

Torq likes to make the point that Oz were missing two key backs which is true but he also hasn't mentioned Scotland are down to maybe 4/5th choice hooker in Ashman, and are missing half a starting pack and their back up TH which will have a far greater impact on Saturday than what happened last weekend.

[Tichtheid]

If you truly believe that, which I don't think anyone does, then you'll be delighted to find odds of nearly 3/1 on Scotland winning or if you are feeling cagey, Scotland with a 7 point head start is 10/11.

I am not a gambler so dunno what that mean. Scotland were impressive yesterday. They beat a team that give us the biggest hiding since many moons ago.

It means the bookmakers, and those thus far that have put money on the game consider SA pretty decent favourites to win the game.

Torq likes to make the point that Oz were missing two key backs which is true but he also hasn't mentioned Scotland are down to maybe 4/5th choice hooker in Ashman, and are missing half a starting pack and their back up TH which will have a far greater impact on Saturday than what happened last weekend.

It's almost criminal underdogging to say Scotland are favourites for Saturday, we had one first choice tight five player available for last week and there is a good chance he will be taking a few weeks off due to his own stupidity.

It's a good thing South Africa are always rubbish in the tight five or we might be in trouble with the only tightheads available being a loosehead starting what would be his fourth game in the position and the Scarlets third choice tighthead as back up.

[Chilli]

Our lineout continues to be a thing of beauty with 12/12 and one steal. The Boks do need to find ways to control their own destiny a bit more rather than waiting for oppo to make mistakes. We utterly dominated possession and territory in the second half and despite the conditions should have score more points.

We utterly dominated a pretty crappy Welsh team.
On paper we have such a talented backline but they just can't perform.

Can't? Or not allowed to due to the game plan?

Maybe a bit of both.

Are you English?

[Torquemada 1420]

Torq likes to make the point that Oz were missing two key backs which is true but he also hasn't mentioned Scotland are down to maybe 4/5th choice hooker in Ashman, and are missing half a starting pack and their back up TH which will have a far greater impact on Saturday than what happened last weekend.

TBF, I assumed the Scot changes were due to more squad rotation. Rather glad I hadn't noticed otherwise I might have changed my pick to Aus!

[SaintK]

We utterly dominated a pretty crappy Welsh team.
On paper we have such a talented backline but they just can't perform.

Can't? Or not allowed to due to the game plan?

Maybe a bit of both.

Are you English?

Yes thanks

[Chilli]

Can't? Or not allowed to due to the game plan?

Maybe a bit of both.

Are you English?

Yes thanks

Looking forward to playing (boring you to death) you in 2 weeks

[SaintK]

Maybe a bit of both.

Are you English?

Yes thanks

Looking forward to playing (boring you to death) you in 2 weeks

You will monster us in the set piece and should win by at least 10 or 12 points

[Big D]

Torq likes to make the point that Oz were missing two key backs which is true but he also hasn't mentioned Scotland are down to maybe 4/5th choice hooker in Ashman, and are missing half a starting pack and their back up TH which will have a far greater impact on Saturday than what happened last weekend.

TBF, I assumed the Scot changes were due to more squad rotation. Rather glad I hadn't noticed otherwise I might have changed my pick to Aus!

The pack was missing; Sutherland, Brown/McInally (he might have been a selection decision), Gray and Cummings who all would have started. And Berghan would have benched ahead of a LHP at THP if fit.

Pleasing that we could see off an Aussie team that is much better up front than they have been given those were missing.

[Torquemada 1420]

Torq likes to make the point that Oz were missing two key backs which is true but he also hasn't mentioned Scotland are down to maybe 4/5th choice hooker in Ashman, and are missing half a starting pack and their back up TH which will have a far greater impact on Saturday than what happened last weekend.

TBF, I assumed the Scot changes were due to more squad rotation. Rather glad I hadn't noticed otherwise I might have changed my pick to Aus!

The pack was missing; Sutherland, Brown/McInally (he might have been a selection decision), Gray and Cummings who all would have started. And Berghan would have benched ahead of a LHP at THP if fit.

Pleasing that we could see off an Aussie team that is much better up front than they have been given those were missing.

Aus scrum was a bit of a shock really given their improvement over recent seasons. Was crushed until Skelton's bulk stabilised it later on. Eng will grind them into the dirt on that showing.

[Chilli]

Yes thanks

Looking forward to playing (boring you to death) you in 2 weeks

You will monster us in the set piece and should win by at least 10 or 12 points

That's what all the girls say.

England looked good on the weekend. Should beat Australia on Saturday.

[Gumboot]

Great news!

Aaron Smith has answered an All Blacks SOS call and will join them for the rest of their European tour, handing the side a huge boost before tests against Ireland and France.

Smith, who recently welcomed his second child with wife Teagan, was not expected to play any part in the All Blacks’ tour, but a head knock to Brad Weber has prompted a change of plan.

Weber was injured early in the test against Italy in Rome last weekend, and was replaced by Finlay Christie.

[Kiwias]

Great news!

Aaron Smith has answered an All Blacks SOS call and will join them for the rest of their European tour, handing the side a huge boost before tests against Ireland and France.

Smith, who recently welcomed his second child with wife Teagan, was not expected to play any part in the All Blacks’ tour, but a head knock to Brad Weber has prompted a change of plan.

Weber was injured early in the test against Italy in Rome last weekend, and was replaced by Finlay Christie.

Was just about to post this. Great news indeed.

[Gumboot]

God I hope he starts both tests ahead of Perenara.

[OomStruisbaai]

Torq likes to make the point that Oz were missing two key backs which is true but he also hasn't mentioned Scotland are down to maybe 4/5th choice hooker in Ashman, and are missing half a starting pack and their back up TH which will have a far greater impact on Saturday than what happened last weekend.

TBF, I assumed the Scot changes were due to more squad rotation. Rather glad I hadn't noticed otherwise I might have changed my pick to Aus!

The pack was missing; Sutherland, Brown/McInally (he might have been a selection decision), Gray and Cummings who all would have started. And Berghan would have benched ahead of a LHP at THP if fit.

Pleasing that we could see off an Aussie team that is much better up front than they have been given those were missing.

I am glad WP Nel isn't in that squad. He monster the Bull scrum a few weeks ago.

[Kiwias]

God I hope he starts both tests ahead of Perenara.

With Christie on the bench.

[Gumboot]

God I hope he starts both tests ahead of Perenara.

With Christie on the bench.

Now we're talking!

[robmatic]

TBF, I assumed the Scot changes were due to more squad rotation. Rather glad I hadn't noticed otherwise I might have changed my pick to Aus!

The pack was missing; Sutherland, Brown/McInally (he might have been a selection decision), Gray and Cummings who all would have started. And Berghan would have benched ahead of a LHP at THP if fit.

Pleasing that we could see off an Aussie team that is much better up front than they have been given those were missing.

I am glad WP Nel isn't in that squad. He monster the Bull scrum a few weeks ago.

Fagerson is alright but he's definitely not the scrummaging weapon than Nel is. The bigger problem for Scotland will be Kebble coming on as the sub tighthead, he's only had a few games on that side this season so it's bold to expect him to cope with the SA scrum.

[OomStruisbaai]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

[Big D]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

[OomStruisbaai]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

Kebble surely offer less then that. Trevor Nkane won't agree on your LH to TH argument.

The Boks two sets of frontrows are next level at the moment

[C T]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

[OomStruisbaai]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

Fatties are like red wine. The older the better.

[Chilli]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

Is there not perhaps a Saffer THP that you can poach in time for RWC2023?

[Tichtheid]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

If Fagerson escapes any punishment for handling Michael Hooper's chops I'd have WP Nel on the bench for this one, the only problem is if Fagerson breaks down after 5 minutes, you're left with a thirty five and a half year old to go 75 minutes against a monster scrum.

Anyway, it's not going to happen or we'd have heard about WP joining the squad by now.

We're in a bit of a pickle regarding tighthead props at the moment.

[robmatic]

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

If Fagerson escapes any punishment for handling Michael Hooper's chops I'd have WP Nel on the bench for this one, the only problem is if Fagerson breaks down after 5 minutes, you're left with a thirty five and a half year old to go 75 minutes against a monster scrum.

Anyway, it's not going to happen or we'd have heard about WP joining the squad by now.

We're in a bit of a pickle regarding tighthead props at the moment.

Bit of a self-inflicted pickle in some ways though, if Nel was in the squad he could shore up the scrum in this game and Kebble etc. would still get opportunities the rest of the month.

[Slick]

Springbokke will target the blond Kebble. Kitshoff will hand him his arse,

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

Yeah, I agree with this. Not sure he could do 2 or 3 games in a row but I'd be fairly sure he could give 80 minutes in Saturday if needed.

On another note, fairly disgusted that YMX hasn't bothered his arse with a new weekend thread yet. It's Tuesday FFS.

[OomStruisbaai]

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

Yeah, I agree with this. Not sure he could do 2 or 3 games in a row but I'd be fairly sure he could give 80 minutes in Saturday if needed.

On another note, fairly disgusted that YMX hasn't bothered his arse with a new weekend thread yet. It's Tuesday FFS.

NPR is the home of Scotland and South Africa posters. Maybe justify our own thread.

[Sandstorm]

Any international LHP should be able to destroy a LHP playing THP to be fair.

Unfortunately WP Nel has reached the "old guy who scrummages very well but offers nothing around the park" stage of his career so isn't really an option for Scotland when we are looking towards RWC23.

That's the perception but I still think he's going really well, especially when overlaying his age.

I remember watching a couple of Edinburgh games around April/May time and I could swear he was doing the full 80 or close to it, still carrying well, first man to a lot of the lineouts.

I agree with the towards RWC23 though. I think he could still do a good job now but come 2023 should have his feet up somewhere.

Yeah, I agree with this. Not sure he could do 2 or 3 games in a row but I'd be fairly sure he could give 80 minutes in Saturday if needed.

On another note, fairly disgusted that YMX hasn't bothered his arse with a new weekend thread yet. It's Tuesday FFS.

Only has to scrum, lift and watch box kicks for 80 mins. He’ll be fine.

[Blake]

Bok team for the Scotland Test announced.

Is there another thread for all the matches of this coming Saturday?

[sturginho]

Bok team for the Scotland Test announced.

Is there another thread for all the matches of this coming Saturday?

EDIT: as I type this

[Blake]

Done; but not keen on care-taking the thread.
Hope it will grow organically without too much maintenance.