Official Springbok selection, moaning and bitching thread

[OomStruisbaai]

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

You dislike Rassie after he didn't select enough Sharks for your liking.

[Sards]

Duane back for Australian tour

[Sards]

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.

The best ever...respect earned

[OomStruisbaai]

Really sad vd Staden has been injured. He has been fantastic all year.

[OomStruisbaai]

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.

The best ever...respect earned

Rassie & Nienaber defensive structure has always been strong. In test rugby defense win matches.

[Sards]

3 Sharks in the RC team of the week.

Well done boys...proud of you

[boere wors]

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.

This one? In a graphic it looks even more remarkable...

[assfly]

Yea that's the one. Amazing.

[Sards]

I can only think its SARU . Fassi dropped and Willemse to cover the bench

[Big Nipper]

I can only think its SARU . Fassi dropped and Willemse to cover the bench

Can Fassi cover 10? If no, then he cannot be picked in a 6 - 2 bench

Simple

[assfly]

Can Fassi cover 10? If no, then he cannot be picked in a 6 - 2 bench

Simple

Unfortunately this is true. For all Willemse is a poor player, in my opinion, his performances off the bench have been better than his starts and he offers a lot of flexibility for the bench split.

The only other player in the squad they can pick to do this is Frans Steyn, but I'm not sure what the Boks future plans are for him now the Lions series is over.

The Boks will win , so they are no risks with giving Willemse another run off the bench. Not sure if we'll do it against the ABs though.

[Sards]

I can only think its SARU . Fassi dropped and Willemse to cover the bench

Can Fassi cover 10? If no, then he cannot be picked in a 6 - 2 bench

Simple

Would you trust Willemse to take that kick Morne took to win the series. Not n vok china

[Sards]

Can Fassi cover 10? If no, then he cannot be picked in a 6 - 2 bench

Simple

Unfortunately this is true. For all Willemse is a poor player, in my opinion, his performances off the bench have been better than his starts and he offers a lot of flexibility for the bench split.

The only other player in the squad they can pick to do this is Frans Steyn, but I'm not sure what the Boks future plans are for him now the Lions series is over.

The Boks will win , so they are no risks with giving Willemse another run off the bench. Not sure if we'll do it against the ABs though.

Kolbe was running at 10 before the BILs started. Not great but good enough. Willie loves coming into the 10 channel. It's his thing. Can any of them or Willemse kick at posts..........shew

[boere wors]

There is nothing to complain about that team. It's out first choice team, bar injuries and Eben, who ist deservedly rested. One could only swap Frans Steyn for Willemse, but the latter has done quite well in his cameos against the BILs, so he retaines his place. If the opposition were NZ, I would rather go with Frans, though.

Strong team, should be much too strong for Argentina.

[handyman]

I can only think its SARU . Fassi dropped and Willemse to cover the bench

Can Fassi cover 10? If no, then he cannot be picked in a 6 - 2 bench

Simple

Would you trust Willemse to take that kick Morne took to win the series. Not n vok china

Would you trust Fassi to take that kick?

[assfly]

Kolbe was running at 10 before the BILs started. Not great but good enough. Willie loves coming into the 10 channel. It's his thing. Can any of them or Willemse kick at posts..........shew

There's a lot of variety in his play. By that I mean he'll be able to drop the ball by playing in a variety of positions.

[Chilli]

Anyone but 5Bar.

[handyman]

Anyone but 5Bar.

I'm not Willemse biggest fan, I actually do not rate him, but I have to say that as a replacement 12 during the BIL series he impressed me.

[Chilli]

Anyone but 5Bar.

I'm not Willemse biggest fan, I actually do not rate him, but I have to say that as a replacement 12 during the BIL series he impressed me.

He was ok during the series but was terrible against the Argies.

I probably don't see the good that he does because of the hype surrounding him.

[boere wors]

Anyone but 5Bar.

I'm not Willemse biggest fan, I actually do not rate him, but I have to say that as a replacement 12 during the BIL series he impressed me.

He was ok during the series but was terrible against the Argies.

I probably don't see the good that he does because of the hype surrounding him.

Willemse has to go to France, settle for one position, preferably 12, and just start to play Rugby without distractions, without the hype built up around him since his school days here in SA. He will be a star after 2 full seasons.

[Sards]

I'm not Willemse biggest fan, I actually do not rate him, but I have to say that as a replacement 12 during the BIL series he impressed me.

He was ok during the series but was terrible against the Argies.

I probably don't see the good that he does because of the hype surrounding him.

Willemse has to go to France, settle for one position, preferably 12, and just start to play Rugby without distractions, without the hype built up around him since his school days here in SA. He will be a star after 2 full seasons.

Very sensible post. I just can't stand it when others get blocked from getting opportunities. Vok man. I want to see more of Fassi. Not to see if he can come good...we know he is a natural athlete who does his thing with ease....just to see him flying through gaps

[boere wors]

He was ok during the series but was terrible against the Argies.

I probably don't see the good that he does because of the hype surrounding him.

Willemse has to go to France, settle for one position, preferably 12, and just start to play Rugby without distractions, without the hype built up around him since his school days here in SA. He will be a star after 2 full seasons.

Very sensible post. I just can't stand it when others get blocked from getting opportunities. Vok man. I want to see more of Fassi. Not to see if he can come good...we know he is a natural athlete who does his thing with ease....just to see him flying through gaps

He is a massive talent and if you hear what Nienaber says about him, it hasnt gone unnoticed. Patience, he is being phased in. Which is the way to go. That being said, I feel really comfortable that we have found a decent backup for Willie (or Kolbe or Mapimpi). Fassi will get his chance on the big occasion soon. And we know he is a guy who will deliver.

[Sards]

In other news...the Beast has joined the Sharks board. That's what I love about the Sharks. The involvement of iconic players. Players know the system having worked through the ranks

[Sards]

Interesting. As soon as I saw the team I thought Rassie was back in charge... seems he either can't let go or doesn't trust Nienaber. Seems Rassie will continue from the sidelines as waterboy. It's like they are working on 2 different strategies. Nienaber wants to give the ball air. Rassie wants to strangle the shit out of the opposition. Are we seeing a battle of wills.

[Chilli]

[Blake]

In other news...the Beast has joined the Sharks board. That's what I love about the Sharks. The involvement of iconic players. Players know the system having worked through the ranks

Worked really well for them when John Smit was CEO

Nothing against John Smit, but being a great player doesn't always make you a great executive or board member.
Similarly, getting seasoned administrators of amateur leagues on your board is no guarantee of success either...see WP / Stormers.

At the end of the day we should stop rewarding tenure and start rewarding track record in all our structures.
Too much of an old boys club IMO.

[FalseBayFC]

In other news...the Beast has joined the Sharks board. That's what I love about the Sharks. The involvement of iconic players. Players know the system having worked through the ranks

Worked really well for them when John Smit was CEO

Nothing against John Smit, but being a great player doesn't always make you a great executive or board member.
Similarly, getting seasoned administrators of amateur leagues on your board is no guarantee of success either...see WP / Stormers.

At the end of the day we should stop rewarding tenure and start rewarding track record in all our structures.
Too much of an old boys club IMO.

Tendai is with Roc Nation Sports. They are a big part of the US investment in the Sharks. Apart from being a black african rugby icon, the Beast is a real mensch whose involvement at board level I think is a great opportunity. He isn't some old crusty establishment figure and he's independently wealthy. He seems keen to give back to the game and will learn heaps from from guys like Marco Masotti and Stephen Saad who like Beast are absolute winners at what they do.

[Blake]

Tendai is with Roc Nation Sports. They are a big part of the US investment in the Sharks. Apart from being a black african rugby icon, the Beast is a real mensch whose involvement at board level I think is a great opportunity. He isn't some old crusty establishment figure and he's independently wealthy. He seems keen to give back to the game and will learn heaps from from guys like Marco Masotti and Stephen Saad who like Beast are absolute winners at what they do.

I'm sure Beast is a great guy and will do well. Was just pointing out that being a great rugby player is no guarantee you'll be a half decent administrator.
Similarly, there are no guarantee a lower level admin would be decent at the higher levels either.

[Chilli]

Beast is on the Bored of ADT / Fidelity Security.
Wahl Baartman is making sure that he keeping his company going.

Beast will be loaded.