NPR

assfly wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:53 am Sounds like the weather in CT will suit the Lions.

Am captains strong SA ‘A’ line up against British & Irish Lions

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named 18 Rugby World Cup winners in a strong South Africa ‘A’ team captained by Lukhanyo Am for their clash with the British & Irish Lions in a Castle Lager Lions Series match at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

Uncapped Joseph Dweba (hooker) and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (lock) were also among the 25 named – including 10 replacements from which the final eight will be confirmed closer to kick off.

The starting XV features five players who started in the Springboks’ Test against Georgia a little over two weeks ago while Morne Steyn, who kicked the penalty goal to win a series against the Lions 12 years ago, makes his reacquaintance with the famous red jersey.

“We’re pleased to be able to name a quality team with a number of experienced players despite the challenges in the last week, which included the entire squad being confined to their rooms as part of the team’s preventative self-isolation measures,” said Nienaber.

“We may have lost our captain Siya (Kolisi), but there is a good leadership core within this group with the likes of Morné, Willie (le Roux), Eben (Etzebeth), Trevor (Nyakane) and Steven (Kitshoff), among others, whose experience will be invaluable in a match against a quality British & Irish Lions outfit.

“Players such as Joseph and Nicolaas will also get their first taste of running out in the green and gold at senior level in what will mark a memorable occasion in their careers and we are excited to see them showcase their skills.”

Joseph Dweba is the only uncapped player in the starting line-up.
Joseph Dweba is the only uncapped player in the starting line-up.

The five players who started against Georgia are Willie le Roux (fullback), Pieter-Steph du Toit (flank), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth (both locks) and Trevor Nyakane (prop); all World Cup winners. Other veterans of Japan 2019 in the starting team are prop Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk at scrumhalf, wings Cheslin Kolbe and Sbu Nkosi and centres Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am.

Jasper Wiese (No 8), who made his Test debut against Georgia, joins Marco van Staden and Du Toit in the loose trio, while Rugby World Cup winners among the extended replacement squad are Vincent Koch (prop), Kwagga Smith (loose forward), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf), Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Jesse Kriel (centre) and Damian Willemse (utility back). The coach is set to make the final call on which players will serve as the replacements in the next two days.

Nienaber has handed over the coaching reigns to Erasmus as he continues to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. Nienaber said: “Rassie has been hands on in our coaching and team selection meetings, he helped formulate our team structures, and he knows the players and coaching staff well, so it’s not an issue to adapt.”

The Springboks arrived in Cape Town on Sunday, while the players and team management who are in self-isolation will complete their mandatory isolation period in Johannesburg before making the trip to Cape Town on Wednesday.

The match kicks off at 20h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

South Africa ‘A’ team to face British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium:
15 – Willie le Roux
14 – Cheslin Kolbe
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Damian de Allende
11 – Sbu Nkosi
10 – Morné Steyn
9 – Faf de Klerk
8 – Jasper Wiese
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Franco Mostert
4 – Eben Etzebeth
3 – Trevor Nyakane
2 – Joseph Dweba
1 – Steven Kitshoff

Replacements (from):
16 – Malcolm Marx
17 – Coenie Oosthuizen
18 – Vincent Koch
19 – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg
20 – Rynhardt Elstadt
21 – Herschel Jantjies
22 – Jesse Kriel
23 – Damian Willemse
24 – Kwagga Smith
25 – Elton Jantjies

Sards wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:36 am 15 – Willie le Roux
14 – Cheslin Kolbe
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Damian de Allende
11 – Sbu Nkosi
10 – Morné Steyn
9 – Faf de Klerk
8 – Jasper Wiese
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Franco Mostert
4 – Eben Etzebeth
3 – Trevor Nyakane
2 – Joseph Dweba
1 – Steven Kitshoff

Replacements (from):
16 – Malcolm Marx
17 – Coenie Oosthuizen
18 – Vincent Koch
19 – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg
20 – Rynhardt Elstadt
21 – Herschel Jantjies
22 – Jesse Kriel
23 – Damian Willemse
24 – Kwagga Smith
25 – Elton Jantjies

Sards wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:54 am Looking pretty close to starting side

Maybe afraid the tour will be called off

duke wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:25 am Lions team is up:

British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.

Chilli wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:16 pm

duke wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:25 am Lions team is up:

British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.

Looks weak.

Openside wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:17 am Slightly odd one this - is anyone else having problems recording the games? Normally Sky lets you recored a series but atm it will only allow you to Record once not all Lions stuff?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:24 pm

Openside wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:17 am Slightly odd one this - is anyone else having problems recording the games? Normally Sky lets you recored a series but atm it will only allow you to Record once not all Lions stuff?

It's linked for me. Is it not recording any of them?

ASMO wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:30 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:24 pm

Openside wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:17 am Slightly odd one this - is anyone else having problems recording the games? Normally Sky lets you recored a series but atm it will only allow you to Record once not all Lions stuff?

It's linked for me. Is it not recording any of them?

Hard restart your sky box, power off, leave for 5 mins, then power on again

ASMO wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:39 pm Games are shown on 2 different Sky channels, do you get the same issue on both? Sky Sports - Main Event and Sky Sports Action.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:54 pm I had to use google to have a look at this fellow (honestly Blake)

19 – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg

Didn't even know he was in the Bok squad or where he come from.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:23 pm Its a bit bloody cheeky naming that sort of line up for an 'A' side. Nothing rules wise that can stop you doing it, but it's very much not in the spirit of what A teams are about. Then asking us to change the tour schedule to give another one that's basically a test match without the capped status? Not a chance, boets.

We want to manage our playing resources for the games that matter. Already nursing a few injuries and a few boys who've had to back up matches more quickly than they're accustomed to.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:51 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:23 pm Its a bit bloody cheeky naming that sort of line up for an 'A' side. Nothing rules wise that can stop you doing it, but it's very much not in the spirit of what A teams are about. Then asking us to change the tour schedule to give another one that's basically a test match without the capped status? Not a chance, boets.

We want to manage our playing resources for the games that matter. Already nursing a few injuries and a few boys who've had to back up matches more quickly than they're accustomed to.

Not sure I agree with this. On this tour it might tour out to be the only game that matters, lets get it on.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:55 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:51 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:23 pm Its a bit bloody cheeky naming that sort of line up for an 'A' side. Nothing rules wise that can stop you doing it, but it's very much not in the spirit of what A teams are about. Then asking us to change the tour schedule to give another one that's basically a test match without the capped status? Not a chance, boets.

We want to manage our playing resources for the games that matter. Already nursing a few injuries and a few boys who've had to back up matches more quickly than they're accustomed to.

Not sure I agree with this. On this tour it might tour out to be the only game that matters, lets get it on.

The Lions will put a 100 up against WP. That will mean a lot to both teams.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:51 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:23 pm Its a bit bloody cheeky naming that sort of line up for an 'A' side. Nothing rules wise that can stop you doing it, but it's very much not in the spirit of what A teams are about. Then asking us to change the tour schedule to give another one that's basically a test match without the capped status? Not a chance, boets.

We want to manage our playing resources for the games that matter. Already nursing a few injuries and a few boys who've had to back up matches more quickly than they're accustomed to.

Not sure I agree with this. On this tour it might turn out to be the only game that matters, lets get it on.

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:00 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:51 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:23 pm Its a bit bloody cheeky naming that sort of line up for an 'A' side. Nothing rules wise that can stop you doing it, but it's very much not in the spirit of what A teams are about. Then asking us to change the tour schedule to give another one that's basically a test match without the capped status? Not a chance, boets.

We want to manage our playing resources for the games that matter. Already nursing a few injuries and a few boys who've had to back up matches more quickly than they're accustomed to.

Not sure I agree with this. On this tour it might turn out to be the only game that matters, lets get it on.

Given 3 of the likely test backs are carrying knocks, a 10 who hasn't played on tour and the original tour captain will likely need a run out I think it is sensible not to tbh.

The boks could have organised more warm up matches if they were that bothered.

What I don't understand is why the boks waited until now for a hard bubble? Rassie was quoted as saying "we are now in a hard bubble". Should have been implemented before. Cricket teams managed it.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:02 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:00 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:51 pm

Not sure I agree with this. On this tour it might turn out to be the only game that matters, lets get it on.

Given 3 of the likely test backs are carrying knocks, a 10 who hasn't played on tour and the original tour captain will likely need a run out I think it is sensible not to tbh.

The boks could have organised more warm up matches if they were that bothered.

What I don't understand is why the boks waited until now for a hard bubble? Rassie was quoted as saying "we are now in a hard bubble". Should have been implemented before. Cricket teams managed it.

Harder to do with players coming in from all over the globe, plus injuries causing SA-based players to be brought into the squad several times.

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:27 pm

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:02 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:00 pm

Given 3 of the likely test backs are carrying knocks, a 10 who hasn't played on tour and the original tour captain will likely need a run out I think it is sensible not to tbh.

The boks could have organised more warm up matches if they were that bothered.

What I don't understand is why the boks waited until now for a hard bubble? Rassie was quoted as saying "we are now in a hard bubble". Should have been implemented before. Cricket teams managed it.

Harder to do with players coming in from all over the globe, plus injuries causing SA-based players to be brought into the squad several times.

Players could have quarantined in hotel rooms on arrival. It would have been a pain in the arse but they could have done it.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:38 pm They were planning to tell Etsebeth to isolate, but no-one had the balls to do it.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:03 pm

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:38 pm They were planning to tell Etsebeth to isolate, but no-one had the balls to do it.

Does anyone ever really go that near him anyway?