Springbokke vs Wales

[bok_viking]

Ja that match did have a sense of familiarity about it. We've become so used to being behind at half-time, but I still felt we had it in us to turn it around (especially when Elton went off).

About Elton, that must be the end of his career. But I feel sorry for him, there was a period he was playing better than Pollard. But I also read somewhere he's only played 68 minutes of rugby this year, if true then it's ludicrous we even picked him.

I was really impressed with Willemse, that took some serious balls at the end. But he's still not a 10! His distribution skills are basically zero; if he's going to attack the line he's got to vary his game.

Thank the lord Willie came on, and I think he proved a massive point yesterday.

Eben was fantastic too. He really has brought an intelligence to his game that goes beyond his biceps.

Hard luck Wales, I wouldn't have complained if you managed to steal it at the end. I'm a big fan of Biggar, but he really needs to get his head on when dealing with the ref and keeping his cool.

Yeah Elton should not have been on the field with such little game time, in that 1st half it seemed that the bad form of Elton and FAF just started flowing through the team. I have not seen the Boks play such a bad half in a long time. But I also expected it to be close and that Wales would do their best to try and get past the Italy game and the criticism of everyone.

Biggar is a great player but damn he rubs people up the wrong way, he must be the biggest prick on the world's rugby fields. I don't know how much was seen on tv but sitting in the stadium you could see him all game trying to antagonize the bok players, going past them bumping into their backs, pushing players, and then throwing his hands in the air at any opportunity. Going out of his way at times to do these things, In the first half there was a small pocket of fans in the stadium that boo'd him, but by the middle of the 2nd half the whole stadium was booing him. I am a 100% sure if wales had any other kicker that he would not have been boo'd so much.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ja that match did have a sense of familiarity about it. We've become so used to being behind at half-time, but I still felt we had it in us to turn it around (especially when Elton went off).

About Elton, that must be the end of his career. But I feel sorry for him, there was a period he was playing better than Pollard. But I also read somewhere he's only played 68 minutes of rugby this year, if true then it's ludicrous we even picked him.

I was really impressed with Willemse, that took some serious balls at the end. But he's still not a 10! His distribution skills are basically zero; if he's going to attack the line he's got to vary his game.

Thank the lord Willie came on, and I think he proved a massive point yesterday.

Eben was fantastic too. He really has brought an intelligence to his game that goes beyond his biceps.

Hard luck Wales, I wouldn't have complained if you managed to steal it at the end. I'm a big fan of Biggar, but he really needs to get his head on when dealing with the ref and keeping his cool.

There is nothing wrong with Damians distribution skills. We saw that in all his matches playing 12 for the Stormers. Yesterday when he move to 10 there was some great short passes and putting Ellende in space. His kicking is the worry. When he line up for that last kick I told the Mrs he and Libbok have a habit of kicking the difficult ones and miss the easier kicks. Last night he made the step up to Springbok level.

[OomStruisbaai]

The biggest irritating from the Springboks is when they do a high or box kick when we are on the opponents 10 m or 22 is. Vok know we just need to take it through phases. We have the best finishers on the wings.

[FalseBayFC]

Besides Elton, Kolisi is a worry for me. He seems to be in a slump similar to the one before the RWC. His work rate is down and he just seems to be lacking zip. Could be a conditioning thing. He was disappointing at the Sharks and needs to step up a notch. Kwagga's energy and pace really made a difference when he came on. Siya's an openside who's not a natural jackaller and I think we missed that yesterday. Without Vermeulen we don't have a breakdown threat until Marx and Kwagga come on.

[OomStruisbaai]

Kolisi have to be there no matter his form.

[OomStruisbaai]

I saw Fourie was in the prematch drills. Pretty sure he'll get his chance.

[Torquemada 1420]

Seems Clive writes for Wales Online:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-24383996

[OomStruisbaai]

Clive can't be a rugby supporter.

[C69]

Another Wales loss...

[ASMO]

Clive can't be a rugby supporter.

Nor is the writer of that drivel

[OomStruisbaai]

Going to have to move Willemse to 10 and get Le Roux on ASAP. Jantjies a massive liability out there.

Also need to yank Lood off the park. Also having a bad day at the office.

Shocking opening half by the Boks. Well done to Wales. Did their homework and taking their opportunities.

Go wash your filthy mouth out.
As shit as was Junkies is at 10, he is ALWAYS better than Willemse.

[Chilli]

Going to have to move Willemse to 10 and get Le Roux on ASAP. Jantjies a massive liability out there.

Also need to yank Lood off the park. Also having a bad day at the office.

Shocking opening half by the Boks. Well done to Wales. Did their homework and taking their opportunities.

Go wash your filthy mouth out.
As shit as was Junkies is at 10, he is ALWAYS better than Willemse.

Well done Oom.

After 6 years of absolute mediocre performances Wazza has finally produced a performance to almost match your man love. I hope that he goes on to prove me wrong and become a Springbok legend.

One swallow does not make a summer.

[OomStruisbaai]

[
Well done Oom.

After 6 years of absolute mediocre performances Wazza has finally produced a performance to almost match your man love. I hope that he goes on to prove me wrong and become a Springbok legend.

One swallow does not make a summer.

One swallow, he has been very good all season for the Stormers.

[Chilli]

[
Well done Oom.

After 6 years of absolute mediocre performances Wazza has finally produced a performance to almost match your man love. I hope that he goes on to prove me wrong and become a Springbok legend.

One swallow does not make a summer.

One swallow, he has been very good all season for the Stormers.

He was pretty mediocre at 10 & 15 when playing there. Pretty good at 12, but not good enough to unseat De Allende.

Finally he is showing some consistency, and for all the hype and money it is about fucking time too.

[FalseBayFC]

Willemse has been good all season so far. The only issue is that nobody knows what position suits him best. He's not a typical SA 12, not really a flyhalf and at fullback he competes with Gelant. Time for him and the coaches to commit to a jersey number and let him grow into it. He's showing the required fortitude and temperament.

What worries me is all the excitement about Willie. Is a nearly 33 year old slowish fullback the only thing that can spark some kind of attacking play in our backline? I get that that he's a playmaker and he's central to many of the successful Bok attacks but jeez he's a year away from being put out to pasture. Not sure why Gelant wasn't in the team yesterday. He's been great for the Stormers attack.

[ia801310]

Willemse has been good all season so far. The only issue is that nobody knows what position suits him best. He's not a typical SA 12, not really a flyhalf and at fullback he competes with Gelant. Time for him and the coaches to commit to a jersey number and let him grow into it. He's showing the required fortitude and temperament.

What worries me is all the excitement about Willie. Is a nearly 33 year old slowish fullback the only thing that can spark some kind of attacking play in our backline? I get that that he's a playmaker and he's central to many of the successful Bok attacks but jeez he's a year away from being put out to pasture. Not sure why Gelant wasn't in the team yesterday. He's been great for the Stormers attack.

All he has to do is make it to the World Cup after that the Boks will have a clear 4 year cycle to rebuild.

[OomStruisbaai]

Willemse has been good all season so far. The only issue is that nobody knows what position suits him best. He's not a typical SA 12, not really a flyhalf and at fullback he competes with Gelant. Time for him and the coaches to commit to a jersey number and let him grow into it. He's showing the required fortitude and temperament.

What worries me is all the excitement about Willie. Is a nearly 33 year old slowish fullback the only thing that can spark some kind of attacking play in our backline? I get that that he's a playmaker and he's central to many of the successful Bok attacks but jeez he's a year away from being put out to pasture. Not sure why Gelant wasn't in the team yesterday. He's been great for the Stormers attack.

Will be interesting to see the team for this weekend Nienaber talk about player projects. Project Elton was a vokop. Project Willemse a success.

[FalseBayFC]

Willemse has been good all season so far. The only issue is that nobody knows what position suits him best. He's not a typical SA 12, not really a flyhalf and at fullback he competes with Gelant. Time for him and the coaches to commit to a jersey number and let him grow into it. He's showing the required fortitude and temperament.

What worries me is all the excitement about Willie. Is a nearly 33 year old slowish fullback the only thing that can spark some kind of attacking play in our backline? I get that that he's a playmaker and he's central to many of the successful Bok attacks but jeez he's a year away from being put out to pasture. Not sure why Gelant wasn't in the team yesterday. He's been great for the Stormers attack.

All he has to do is make it to the World Cup after that the Boks will have a clear 4 year cycle to rebuild.

Agreed. I'm not disputing that he's key to our attack but it's worrying that we haven't developed players who can do this besides him.

[dabooldawg]

Oom ek weet in jou oe is enige kaapse speler die beste ding ooit, veral uit die boland. Maar Willemse is nie die wereld klas superstar in the making wat jy dink hy is nie.

[FalseBayFC]

Oom ek weet in jou oe is enige kaapse speler die beste ding ooit, veral uit die boland. Maar Willemse is nie die wereld klas superstar in the making wat jy dink hy is nie.

He's 24 years old. He's just shown huge BMT to win a game for the Boks. He will be a world class footballer and make heaps of cash if he stays fit.

[OomStruisbaai]

Oom ek weet in jou oe is enige kaapse speler die beste ding ooit, veral uit die boland. Maar Willemse is nie die wereld klas superstar in the making wat jy dink hy is nie.

Wie se multi is djy?

[assfly]

I'd be ok with Willemse being given the 10 jersey for the next 2 tests. He's earned the opportunity.

But he needs to learn to pass on not crash every ball up.

[bok_viking]

I'd be ok with Willemse being given the 10 jersey for the next 2 tests. He's earned the opportunity.

But he needs to learn to pass on not crash every ball up.

I doubt that will be the case. I think Pollard will be back this Saturday unless he gets injured. FAF is also a little of a worry, he did not look at his best either. Definitely not in the same form as before covid in my opinion.

And they got to cut out the kicking when close to Wales 22, I have no problem kicking when in your own half, but when on attack 22 meters from the try line, you got to try go through the phases and run a bit. In the stadium on Saturday you could hear the collective groan of the crowd every time FAF kicked the ball close to their 22. Until the World cup we tended to do most kicking in our half but since the Lions tour we seem to kick it everywhere.

[Chilli]

Let's be honest here.
In the first half the Boks very horrible. I think that they had reason and believed all the press about them and more importantly about how crap Wales are. The forwards looked like the thought that 1 Bok could just rum over all 8 Welsh forwards. When this didn't happen they had bo plan b.
Of course, it didn't help that Kolisi has retreated back to his old self. And that Faf & Junkies were crap.

The second half was much better. More cohesive as a pack, with better balance a on the flanks. The 9 & 10 were also much better. Willie mad a HUGE difference.

Jasper MOTM. Who would ever have thought?

[assfly]

I doubt that will be the case. I think Pollard will be back this Saturday unless he gets injured. FAF is also a little of a worry, he did not look at his best either. Definitely not in the same form as before covid in my opinion.

And they got to cut out the kicking when close to Wales 22, I have no problem kicking when in your own half, but when on attack 22 meters from the try line, you got to try go through the phases and run a bit. In the stadium on Saturday you could hear the collective groan of the crowd every time FAF kicked the ball close to their 22. Until the World cup we tended to do most kicking in our half but since the Lions tour we seem to kick it everywhere.

Yes I suppose you're right. It will be good to see Pollard back, but I'm worried he's spent a lot of the season on the bench or playing 12.

I actually thought the crowd were going to start booing at one point, especially when Faf kicked away more possession when we were in their half.

[assfly]

Jasper MOTM. Who would ever have thought?

I did! He's picked up a bit of a bad reputation with Bok fans (generally speaking) but he's been outstanding for Leicester. Like I said last week, it will take something big for Roos to take the 8 jersey off him.

[Wilson's Toffee]

Wiese is OK, no Duane, but working hard. We miss an organiser of the game, nobody able to substitute for Duane there. Jantjies was totally rusted, will get plenty opportunity to prove himself...

Pollard will be OK, Saffer 12s normally slot nicely into the 10 mould. Willemse/Willie will assist, there. Faf will be OK, forwards will pick up their game and he will be sure of Pollard. Outside backs will get more ball/opportunity, and be better involved, as well as gain some confidence out wide.

Wales will come back with a bang, but should be contained for another mud-wrestle. Boks have a 51-49% chance of winning the 2nd test.

[OomStruisbaai]

Look like the benching of Willie work well. Next must be Faf and Kolisi.

[Wilson's Toffee]

Kolisi is off his stride, guess he will pick up his game.

[OomStruisbaai]

I expected us to struggle in test 1. Test 2 we will win with 10+ minimum.

[assfly]

I actually thought Kolisi wasn't so bad in the first half. Put in some big tackles.

But we really need him back to his best. Let's hope this performance shocks him into action, like the first Lions test did last year.

[OomStruisbaai]

Kolisi is off his stride, guess he will pick up his game.

The combination don't work. We need one playing to the ball. Marcel Coetzee or Deon Fourie will sort this.

[assfly]

Not sure if mentioned during the match, but it didn't look sold out. Plenty of blue seats behind the posts. Or was that just box space that wasn't used?

[Chilli]

Kolisi is off his stride, guess he will pick up his game.

The combination don't work. We need one playing to the ball. Marcel Coetzee or Deon Fourie will sort this.

While I agree, we lose a lineout option playing a combination of Wiese, Kolisi, Quagga, Fourie.
Jasper can't be dropped after Saturday.
Kolisi can't be dropped.
Mostert was meh.

We need a third lineout option.

[Chilli]

Not sure if mentioned during the match, but it didn't look sold out. Plenty of blue seats behind the posts. Or was that just box space that wasn't used?

Didn't look full.

[Insane_Homer]

I think they said the official attendance was ~51,700?

[OomStruisbaai]

Kolisi is off his stride, guess he will pick up his game.

The combination don't work. We need one playing to the ball. Marcel Coetzee or Deon Fourie will sort this.

While I agree, we lose a lineout option playing a combination of Wiese, Kolisi, Quagga, Fourie.
Jasper can't be dropped after Saturday.
Kolisi can't be dropped.
Mostert was meh.

We need a third lineout option.

PSdT will be back. Still no one to the ball like Duanne.

[Blake]

I'd be ok with Willemse being given the 10 jersey for the next 2 tests. He's earned the opportunity.

But he needs to learn to pass on not crash every ball up.

I get very nervous with him at 10. He's a great player, when he plays on instinct. The moment you make him think, he tends to "overthink".

At 12 he's great because he doesn't have time or space to think, but he's not better than De Allende or Esterhuizen.
At 15 he has too much time and space, so he tries to do something magical en fucks it up 6 out of 10 times.
And at 10 he is expected to make a decision every play, overthinks it and has a 50% hit rate. He is not a reliable backline general and has not had enough time at 10 to develop that skillset.

He should be the bench replacement for Frans Steyn IMO. Not the best player we have at 10, 12 or 15...but a versatile and capable enough sub when we play a 6-2 split.

Starting fullback should be Willie / Galant / Fassi.

Our issue is depth at 10. We don't have any. None of the up-and-comers have shown much this season. Elton has a lot of issues off the field, so he is flaky as ever and this performance won't help with that all. Morne Steyn is too old. Goosen is too fragile. Libbok is too erratic.

If Pollard can't start, I guess Willemse is as good a stand in as anybody we have. But I don't have to like it.
Nienaber needs a long term Pollard backup and fast.

[Blake]

Not sure if mentioned during the match, but it didn't look sold out. Plenty of blue seats behind the posts. Or was that just box space that wasn't used?

It was sold out. Those blue seats behind the posts were for the corporate suites.

[assfly]

It was sold out. Those blue seats behind the posts were for the corporate suites.

I guess that's the difference between "sold out" and "full"