Official United Rugby Championship thread

[handyman]

Do we have any idea if or when the Boks will join the URC?

I would have thought that players who hardly featured for the Boks (like Fassi) would have been back with the team by now.

Ja well Rassie and Nienaber have really vokked those kids over....they are probably fat arsed and out of shape completely by now...

The internationals I am thinking of are our new signings....

Hopefully Nienaber and co worked on Fassi's kicking. No chance to play fullback for the Boks if you don't know how to kick. It seems there aren't kicking coaches at the saaks.

[OomStruisbaai]

If he is as described it is slightly odd as Scotland does not lack all action back rows. What we do lack is a bruising ball carrier in the back row.

I would tend to take the assessment of Sharks players by supporters of other provinces with a pinch of salt.

You are wrong Rinkie.

[OomStruisbaai]

Do we have any idea if or when the Boks will join the URC?

I would have thought that players who hardly featured for the Boks (like Fassi) would have been back with the team by now.

Ja well Rassie and Nienaber have really vokked those kids over....they are probably fat arsed and out of shape completely by now...

The internationals I am thinking of are our new signings....

Hopefully Nienaber and co worked on Fassi's kicking. No chance to play fullback for the Boks if you don't know how to kick. It seems there aren't kicking coaches at the saaks.

Gelant is on his way to the Bok team. Play brilliant rugby.

[handyman]

Ja well Rassie and Nienaber have really vokked those kids over....they are probably fat arsed and out of shape completely by now...

The internationals I am thinking of are our new signings....

Hopefully Nienaber and co worked on Fassi's kicking. No chance to play fullback for the Boks if you don't know how to kick. It seems there aren't kicking coaches at the saaks.

Gelant is on his way to the Bok team. Play brilliant rugby.

On fire atm, let's hope he stays injury free.

[assfly]

It would be great to see him pushing for the Bok 15 jersey again. Let's hope he gets a run in November.

[FalseBayFC]

Gelant, Fassi, Kriel brothers...
We have a nice list of short, medium and long term options developing. I'm hoping Damien Willemse kicks on because he's also an option there.

[Chilli]

Do we have any idea if or when the Boks will join the URC?

I would have thought that players who hardly featured for the Boks (like Fassi) would have been back with the team by now.

Morne is en route to joining the Bulls, so no reason why other fringe players don't.

[Chilli]

Hopefully Nienaber and co worked on Fassi's kicking. No chance to play fullback for the Boks if you don't know how to kick. It seems there aren't kicking coaches at the saaks.

Gelant is on his way to the Bok team. Play brilliant rugby.

On fire atm, let's hope he stays injury free.

He is playing great rugby. And we have seen him, unlike the fringe Bok players who have done nothing for weeks.

[Sards]

Do we have any idea if or when the Boks will join the URC?

I would have thought that players who hardly featured for the Boks (like Fassi) would have been back with the team by now.

Ja well Rassie and Nienaber have really vokked those kids over....they are probably fat arsed and out of shape completely by now...

The internationals I am thinking of are our new signings....

Hopefully Nienaber and co worked on Fassi's kicking. No chance to play fullback for the Boks if you don't know how to kick. It seems there aren't kicking coaches at the saaks.

You obviously have not watched him

[OomStruisbaai]

Pierre Schoeman
SS

STORMERS GAME WAS LIKE A TEST MATCH

Schoeman is expecting a tough match against the Bulls, and says his teammates were already quite surprised by the lift in physicality and intensity they experienced when they drew with the DHL Stormers last weekend.

“I was so excited to be playing against South African players again and the local boys were too. We knew it would be more physical than we are used to, and the Stormers didn’t disappoint in that regard, they were physical on defence and on attack too. The guys were all a little bit more excited and nervous than they normally are before a game and many of them admitted afterwards that it was closer to a test match than a normal Pro14 or URC match.

“While it was all out between the white lines, it was also fun. I spoke some Afrikaans before the time. I know Warrick Gelant from my time with the Bulls and I also know Evan Roos quite well, and Brok Harris was playing club rugby over here for many years. But it was very competitive on the pitch, and a bit more personal than usual.”

ADAPTING QUICKLY

Schoeman, having played in Europe for three years now, reckons that the South Africans were given a particularly tough start to the competition. Or at least the Bulls and the Sharks were as they went up against Pro14 champions Leinster and beaten finalists Munster respectively. He wasn’t surprised at the results of those games.

“It was a very tough baptism to be playing a competition that is so completely new to them and starting out at Thomond Park and also against Leinster in Dublin, but we are already seeing the transition,” said Schoeman.

“Coaches are innovative and speak to the opposition coaches after the games and to referees. South Africans are very good at adapting quickly. We talk about going back to the drawing board, and we do that quickly, we adapt quickly. And I am seeing that happening. In a few years, all these young players are going to be very experienced at European conditions and European playing styles and that is going to make them feared opponents no matter who they play against.”

He’s hoping his old teammates at the Bulls won’t have adjusted too quickly ahead of Saturday’s game. He admits it is a bit weird to be preparing to play against old friends and is looking forward to having a cup of coffee with some of them on Friday night.

WEIRD TO BE PLAYING THE BULLS

“It is a bit weird to be playing against the Bulls, I keep thinking back to those days where we sat around Loftus after training sessions talking about the next match and our chances,” he said.

“The Bulls are coming through on Friday and I am hoping to meet up with some of them. There are a few guys in the team and in the management who I know well, and it will be nice to have a coffee with them on Friday. Rugby is known for the brotherships that are built up, and it will be nice to meet up, but then the next day, as Bakkies (Botha) would say, you put everything into it.

“There is more motivation for me playing against the Bulls but I have to try and treat it like another game. There is a fine balance between being motivated and getting carried away and being too enthusiastic. So the key is to try and not make it too personal as that might make you deviate away from the team goal and plan, and rugby is a team game.”

[Sards]

Nice

I like that we are getting to see all our players playing there

[fishfoodie]

Nice

I like that we are getting to see all our players playing there

It might make the long trip away a bit less long; when you're able to catch up with friends, & former teammates.

[Sards]

My biggest concern was that we are going to struggle against SH teams after adapting up north. But I am starting to feel that it will make our sides start playing more technical rugby. Be smarter. Something dreadfully lacking in our game. So maybe a good thing. Skill levels should improve too.

[FalseBayFC]

Yes. Interesting to see the difference between Aus/NZ and the North. South Africa is much more genetically Northern in style. We need to keep this but develop our attacking game more.

I've been watching some of the NPC and been impressed at how quickly the ball emerges from the ruck. But they do commit very few players to the breakdown and often it's completely uncontested. I just wonder if that is NZ's weak spot right now. So when they come up against a hard rucking, rumbling type outfit they are more vulnerable.

No doubt they'll be working on a fix because they never ignore a weakness for too long.

But the temp of the game in NZ is possible because of the uncontested breakdown.

[OomStruisbaai]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

[assfly]

It's a pity both the Lions and Stormers games are on at the same time. Not sure which one to watch (knowing that I'll be asleep on the sofa by half time)

[OomStruisbaai]

Dragons: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Jack Dixon, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Ross Moriarty (c), 5 Ben Carter, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Greg Bateman
Replacements: 16 Taylor Davies, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 Joe Davies, 20 Joe Maksymiw, 21 Ollie Griffiths, 22 Rhodri Williams, 23 Josh Lewis
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Leolin Zas, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Salmaan Moerat (c), 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Brok Harris
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Justin Basson, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Juan de Jongh
Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 19:35 BST (18:35 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris (WRU), Ben Breakspear (WRU)
TMO: Emanuele Tomo (FIR)

Was hoping to see Jamie Roberts in action again against his former SA team.

[handyman]

It's a pity both the Lions and Stormers games are on at the same time. Not sure which one to watch (knowing that I'll be asleep on the sofa by half time)

Record one, with DSTV it's tough to miss a game.

[FalseBayFC]

I'm under strict instructions from my doctor to take it easy for the next month. Bed rest, no booze. So I'll be watching rugby and T20 world cup non-stop for a while.

[handyman]

I'm under strict instructions from my doctor to take it easy for the next month. Bed rest, no booze. So I'll be watching rugby and T20 world cup non-stop for a while.

All of the best boet. Word of caution, the Proteas in World Cups is bad for your health...

[FalseBayFC]

I'm under strict instructions from my doctor to take it easy for the next month. Bed rest, no booze. So I'll be watching rugby and T20 world cup non-stop for a while.

All of the best boet. Word of caution, the Proteas in World Cups is bad for your health...

Thanks man. Luckily my heart is strong.

[Sards]

It's a pity both the Lions and Stormers games are on at the same time. Not sure which one to watch (knowing that I'll be asleep on the sofa by half time)

Decisions Decisions.....at least the Lions have a win so far....might give Stormers my sympathy view hoping they can come right and get that first victory

[assfly]

Decisions Decisions.....at least the Lions have a win so far....might give Stormers my sympathy view hoping they can come right and get that first victory

You can't help yourself

[Sards]

I'm under strict instructions from my doctor to take it easy for the next month. Bed rest, no booze. So I'll be watching rugby and T20 world cup non-stop for a while.

All of the best boet. Word of caution, the Proteas in World Cups is bad for your health...

Even my kids don't watch.
My youngest has his first ever hardball match this Saturday morning. Still waiting for the neighbors to throw some balls back over the wall. He has sweet timing. We do mini matches where the 2 bowl an over them bat the next over for 6 overs. Highest score wins.
Wickets are 5 points. Anyway the eldest tips and runs but the youngster just lets rip. Mom outer fielder Dad coach and umpire. Eldest has sat out on his game this Saturday to go watch the other and help mom with the scoring calls, wides, leg byes etc. Yup mom volunteered again. The eldest has been coaching the younger with the bowling this whole week.

[lemonhead]

It's a pity both the Lions and Stormers games are on at the same time. Not sure which one to watch (knowing that I'll be asleep on the sofa by half time)

Lions game probably higher scoring but Ulster should get over the line handy enough.

Stormers probably much closer but might not be pretty early doors. Dry forecast, so plenty of scope to open up.

[average joe]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

[handyman]

I'm under strict instructions from my doctor to take it easy for the next month. Bed rest, no booze. So I'll be watching rugby and T20 world cup non-stop for a while.

All of the best boet. Word of caution, the Proteas in World Cups is bad for your health...

Even my kids don't watch.
My youngest has his first ever hardball match this Saturday morning. Still waiting for the neighbors to throw some balls back over the wall. He has sweet timing. We do mini matches where the 2 bowl an over them bat the next over for 6 overs. Highest score wins.
Wickets are 5 points. Anyway the eldest tips and runs but the youngster just lets rip. Mom outer fielder Dad coach and umpire. Eldest has sat out on his game this Saturday to go watch the other and help mom with the scoring calls, wides, leg byes etc. Yup mom volunteered again. The eldest has been coaching the younger with the bowling this whole week.

Yard cricket is the best.

Bit kak from you just standing there, doing nothing. Get involved lad, it's good for your heart.

[OomStruisbaai]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

This plus

When we play Soup rugby they got use to our pattern and conditions. Now they will struggle more against us like in the old days when we played each other once every 10 years.

[Slick]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

We always seem to say things like this and suggest that the NZ forwards are not great in the set piece etc, but can anyone remember when a NZ pack got shunted around or didn't at least have parity. Every time they come north the excitement seems to be around our packs dominating them and it never happens.

[FalseBayFC]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

Their pack got punished in the last two Bok tests and the Wallaby pack had parity with them. The English were all over them at the World cup. Their lineout is shaky at the moment, breakdown work is weak and their scrum is very average for an AB team. Their forwards are still great at linking play and in the loose.

We always seem to say things like this and suggest that the NZ forwards are not great in the set piece etc, but can anyone remember when a NZ pack got shunted around or didn't at least have parity. Every time they come north the excitement seems to be around our packs dominating them and it never happens.

[FalseBayFC]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

Nonsense. We've won all our matches in the last two years by Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am or Wllie running around people. Nobody is saying we should be AB clones. But the criticism of the Boks has been valid imo. 2009-2019 was the worst period in Springbok history results wise. Coincidentally it was also the period where the myth of Springboks DNA emerged.

[Sards]

Vok the interpretation of Springbok DNA they are currently touting. It's bullshit. We have never been so clueless on attack as currently. It's dire

[average joe]

Also watching the NPC. Not only the rucks. Their 1st phase (scrumming & lineouts) also very loose at times. Their fatties ball skills is fantastic but there is a difference in the important forward tasks. Their defenses is also weaker then us. Last weekend our teams defenses were fantastic.

I love the NH crowds. I cant remember when our layers last played in front of such big crowds. Trust me , that make a massive difference for any player. Same time zone is also a difference.

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

Nonsense. We've won all our matches in the last two years by Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am or Wllie running around people. Nobody is saying we should be AB clones. But the criticism of the Boks has been valid imo. 2009-2019 was the worst period in Springbok history results wise. Coincidentally it was also the period where the myth of Springboks DNA emerged.

We have some skilled backs that can run around when the need arises. We also have big strong forwards that can bully teams in the set piece and milk penalties, win turn overs. It would be stupid not to use this and pick smaller more mobile forwards just so we can compete with the AB at their level. You cant beat them like that, they will out run and out skill you every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[Tichtheid]

[FalseBayFC]

The stadium will no doubt have a fair few Scottish scouts checking out the Saffer beef on offer. Chequebooks at the ready. What position are you short of? Can we interest you in a chunky frontrower, a linebreaking loose forward or maybe a oversized wing.

[FalseBayFC]

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

Nonsense. We've won all our matches in the last two years by Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am or Wllie running around people. Nobody is saying we should be AB clones. But the criticism of the Boks has been valid imo. 2009-2019 was the worst period in Springbok history results wise. Coincidentally it was also the period where the myth of Springboks DNA emerged.

We have some skilled backs that can run around when the need arises. We also have big strong forwards that can bully teams in the set piece and milk penalties, win turn overs. It would be stupid not to use this and pick smaller more mobile forwards just so we can compete with the AB at their level. You cant beat them like that, they will out run and out skill you every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Agreed. Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw are massive youngsters who match the AB's on the skill front. They are forwards who can play a linking role or be a steamroller. No reason why our youngsters can't reach the skill levels the Kiwis do. Its just a matter of development and coaching.

[Tichtheid]

The stadium will no doubt have a fair few Scottish scouts checking out the Saffer beef on offer. Chequebooks at the ready. What position are you short of? Can we interest you in a chunky frontrower, a linebreaking loose forward or maybe a oversized wing.

Ha, aye we are the Man City/Chelsea/Newcastle of the rugby world right enough.

We've gone for a 6/2 split on the bench, that is probably our biggest pack available when injuries are taken into account.

Immelman has to up his game, he's not been much more than rank average so far

[Sards]

The kiwis use the set piece as a base to set up their backs. They have a skilled mobile tight five that join the line on attack. The faster they can join the line the better. They are the best at what they do and this idea that we should be more like them is idiotic. This is why I have such an issue with people saying we should play more like them. We cant compete with them on their level and we should not want to be like them, we should want to be better than them.

Saffas relish contact , we would much rather run over or through you than around you. The fastest way from point A to point B is in a straight line. Super Rugby did more harm than good to our teams. Playing in the North will have us play more towards our strengths.

Nonsense. We've won all our matches in the last two years by Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am or Wllie running around people. Nobody is saying we should be AB clones. But the criticism of the Boks has been valid imo. 2009-2019 was the worst period in Springbok history results wise. Coincidentally it was also the period where the myth of Springboks DNA emerged.

We have some skilled backs that can run around when the need arises. We also have big strong forwards that can bully teams in the set piece and milk penalties, win turn overs. It would be stupid not to use this and pick smaller more mobile forwards just so we can compete with the AB at their level. You cant beat them like that, they will out run and out skill you every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

box kicks...??????

VOK MAN

Its like we all have the memory of goldfish.......

[Slick]

The stadium will no doubt have a fair few Scottish scouts checking out the Saffer beef on offer. Chequebooks at the ready. What position are you short of? Can we interest you in a chunky frontrower, a linebreaking loose forward or maybe a oversized wing.

Ha, aye we are the Man City/Chelsea/Newcastle of the rugby world right enough.

We've gone for a 6/2 split on the bench, that is probably our biggest pack available when injuries are taken into account.

Immelman has to up his game, he's not been much more than rank average so far

You’ve already kindly supplied us with two of them, but if you could step over here for a chat about this line breaking loosie please

[robmatic]

The stadium will no doubt have a fair few Scottish scouts checking out the Saffer beef on offer. Chequebooks at the ready. What position are you short of? Can we interest you in a chunky frontrower, a linebreaking loose forward or maybe a oversized wing.

Ha, aye we are the Man City/Chelsea/Newcastle of the rugby world right enough.

We've gone for a 6/2 split on the bench, that is probably our biggest pack available when injuries are taken into account.

Immelman has to up his game, he's not been much more than rank average so far

Rank average is being generous. He's doing well to keep his place in the starting lineup.