Springboks set to repeat 2019 squad split
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said the Boks intend repeating the plan that saw them clinch the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title in 2019 by splitting the squad for the opening two Tests of the competition as they zoom in on the southern hemisphere showpiece.
This will see a group of players and management members travel to Auckland the week of the opening Test against Australia at Loftus Versfeld (on Saturday 8 July) to acclimatise and get their preparations underway for the second Test, a week later against New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium (Saturday 15 July).
This will be followed by the third and final Test of the shortened version of the tournament two weeks later against Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg ( Saturday 29 July).
“We have a pretty good idea about how we want to split the squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, but a lot needs to happen before we make a call on selection,” said Nienaber.
“We’ll probably make a decision the week before the Australia Test. As we mentioned last week, we are not selecting A and B sides. We are doing something similar to what we did in 2019 by selecting a team that is good enough to beat Australia at Loftus Versfeld.”
SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and Nienaber were also pleased to have flyhalf Elton Jantjies back in the mix and said his experience was valuable for the team.
“A big benefit of having Elton in the squad is that there is no rush for Handre (Pollard) and Damian (Willemse) to hurry their injuries,” said Erasmus.
“They can take their time and heal properly. That said, there’s a good chance that Damian will be cleared (medically) next week.”
Erasmus added: “Elton has close to 50 Test caps and in 2020 he was named SANZAARs South African Super Rugby Player of the Decade, so there isn’t much he still has to learn. He also helps the young players on the field, so he’s a valuable player.”
With the Springboks entering the second week of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship training camp, Nienaber said there was a fantastic atmosphere in the squad: “The energy in the squad is good and the players are working hard to build on the foundation we laid last week. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are on a good trajectory.”
Nienaber also revealed that leading South African referee Jaco Peyper – who is on the match official panel for the Rugby World Cup – is currently with the team to assist them in their interpretation of the laws of the game.
“One of the additions to our camp this week is that we brought in Jaco Peyper to assist us to keep up to date with the laws of the game, so know we are on the right track,” said Nienaber.
No problems, we'll use the tests threads.Ymx wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 7:47 pm Thanks Oom!
My memory is going. You didn’t already have a thread did you. It suddenly occurred to me you might have.
I like that team.OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:34 pm Probably Bok team vs Wallabies
Willie le Roux KL Arendse, Amm, Esterhuizen, Moodie, Libbok, Reinach, Vermeulen, PSdT, Escom, RG Snyman, Kleyn, Tank, Bongi, Ox.
Has even one of them played together in the last 6 months?boere wors wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:50 pmI like that team.OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:34 pm Probably Bok team vs Wallabies
Willie le Roux KL Arendse, Amm, Esterhuizen, Moodie, Libbok, Reinach, Vermeulen, PSdT, Escom, RG Snyman, Kleyn, Tank, Bongi, Ox.
Rg & Kleyn. Bongi & Ox. Arendse & Moodie.Sandstorm wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:56 pmHas even one of them played together in the last 6 months?boere wors wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:50 pmI like that team.OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:34 pm Probably Bok team vs Wallabies
Willie le Roux KL Arendse, Amm, Esterhuizen, Moodie, Libbok, Reinach, Vermeulen, PSdT, Escom, RG Snyman, Kleyn, Tank, Bongi, Ox.
He took a nasty clash. I was thinking fracture at the time.
Am & Esterhuizen maybe not the last 6 months but they played many for the $hark$, Thomas, Bongi, Ox the $hark$ best front row all season.boere wors wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 6:59 amRg & Kleyn. Bongi & Ox. Arendse & Moodie.Sandstorm wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:56 pmHas even one of them played together in the last 6 months?
5 #9s in there shows we still don't know who is the best we have.
I would have preferred Am and Kriel to switch squads.OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 8:31 am If thats true then team vs NZ hould be
Willemse, Mapimpi, Kriel, Ellendig, Kolbey, Pollard, Faf, Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga, Lood, Etsebeth, Malherbe, Marx, Kitshoff
The best?Sandstorm wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 10:08 am5 #9s in there shows we still don't know who is the best we have.
I preferred Kriel in no squad, maybe from the bench. The only way this can happen if Willemse/Pollard play 12/10 and Ellendig 13. But then they will send the NZ 15 squad before the Wallaby test. Bench will be from the Wallaby test.handyman wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 11:22 amI would have preferred Am and Kriel to switch squads.OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 8:31 am If thats true then team vs NZ hould be
Willemse, Mapimpi, Kriel, Ellendig, Kolbey, Pollard, Faf, Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga, Lood, Etsebeth, Malherbe, Marx, Kitshoff
That's a big blow.handyman wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 12:36 pm Pollard all but out of the Rugby Championship. Massive blow.
It has been far too long, I agree. Same every year but this one seems a longer wait than most.
Because you have been watching Supe, and have conveniently forgotten about what Foster will reduce our talent to.Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:29 amIt has been far too long, I agree. Same every year but this one seems a longer wait than most.
The games will be so keenly watched as we are all looking for a lead-in to our world cup campaigns. Not sure why, but I am quietly confident.
Springboks vs All Blacks always the ultimate clash. Now even more after we gone north.Ymx wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:08 amBecause you have been watching Supe, and have conveniently forgotten about what Foster will reduce our talent to.Enzedder wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:29 amIt has been far too long, I agree. Same every year but this one seems a longer wait than most.
The games will be so keenly watched as we are all looking for a lead-in to our world cup campaigns. Not sure why, but I am quietly confident.
Remember the good old days? When Foster had Covid and had to stay away from the team...Ymx wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:40 am It’s going to be a good match, as no doubt the Boks have adapted to the NH style. So they’ve an advantage in playing under both styles (and reffing interpretations), and the fact we have that fat slug Foster.
Covid truly redeemed its popularity after that.Grandpa wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:30 pmRemember the good old days? When Foster had Covid and had to stay away from the team...Ymx wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:40 am It’s going to be a good match, as no doubt the Boks have adapted to the NH style. So they’ve an advantage in playing under both styles (and reffing interpretations), and the fact we have that fat slug Foster.
Maybe a nice little Foster variant in October... in France... but only in Foster's room...Ymx wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:10 pmCovid truly redeemed its popularity after that.Grandpa wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:30 pmRemember the good old days? When Foster had Covid and had to stay away from the team...Ymx wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:40 am It’s going to be a good match, as no doubt the Boks have adapted to the NH style. So they’ve an advantage in playing under both styles (and reffing interpretations), and the fact we have that fat slug Foster.
I’ve never understood that. Is it a Rassie thing??OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:19 am Bok teams to be announce today. Don't think there will be surprises, giving Eddie and Foster more then enough time to plan.
No it's a Nienaber thing. Rassie use to hold it back to the last minute. Nienaber believe it's better for the players.Ymx wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:40 amI’ve never understood that. Is it a Rassie thing??OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:19 am Bok teams to be announce today. Don't think there will be surprises, giving Eddie and Foster more then enough time to plan.
It’s also better for the likes of Schmidt to formulate a plan.OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:45 amNo it's a Nienaber thing. Rassie use to hold it back to the last minute. Nienaber believe it's better for the players.Ymx wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:40 amI’ve never understood that. Is it a Rassie thing??OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:19 am Bok teams to be announce today. Don't think there will be surprises, giving Eddie and Foster more then enough time to plan.
I quite like it, tbh. Gets the opposition thinking about how to counter your game plan much earlier in the week than they might have otherwise. Has it backfired on them yet?Ymx wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:49 amIt’s also better for the likes of Schmidt to formulate a plan.OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:45 amNo it's a Nienaber thing. Rassie use to hold it back to the last minute. Nienaber believe it's better for the players.
Why can’t they just hear it in private?
Anyway, it’s good in that it gives us something earlier on our thread …
