NPR

assfly wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:02 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:52 am The Scotland v South Africa game will depend a lot on the ref. Not for decisions around the breakdown (although that might come in to it) but for how much he allows the South Africans to slow down the pace of play and waddle around the pitch delaying everything. Scotland clearly have a game plan to increase the pace and not give them time to catch their breath, keep[ the ball in play as much as possible and move lineouts and restarts on quickly. South Africa consistently want a slower paced game, not the pace of in-play rugby, but the delays and waits between set pieces, restarts etc. If the ref allows SA to slow the game, they will win comfortably. If he allows Scotland to dictate more of the pace, it'll get interesting.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:24 am

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:08 am

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:11 am

That's the interesting bit for me. I think you'd struggle to find a Scotsman who truly believes we will win this game, but what gives us a bit of hope is that for the last 3 or 4 years we've felt we could beat anyone on our day except SA and Ireland, because we just can't handle the power. What has changed over the last year is that we have a scrummage that can at the very least hold it's own against anyone, and I think will really challenge Ireland, and seem to have developed a lot more physicality. I just don't think we can keep it going over the whole 80 - although the Bomb Squad has become a bit of a cliché, it's still terrifying when you see them all waddle on.

There is a very good balance in the Scotland team. When I was watching them play France, I was impressed with how much the loss of Zander brought the team together. They actually performed better with 14 men. They obviously have a great shape on attack, Russell is as unpredictable as he is mercurial. They have the ability to match the best in the world physically, have a strong scrum and set piece. Isn't a great to see Scotland so strong? It hasn't just happened over night either, they have been building over many seasons now and credit must go to Townsend and his management team.

It's going to be a great occasion and I'm really looking forward to it. As a Bok supporter I obviously hope the Springboks improve and continue their rise in form. As I said to you above, the do have a lot of work still to do. But based on what I have seen thus far, they will be a very formidable team come the RWC and they are being well managed by the coaches.

It's the most enjoyable period of supporting Scotland I've had in my 40+ years of doing so. Some of the younger supporters think this is the way it has always been and we should be winning every 6N and WC, the older amongst us know just to enjoy this spell and not get anywhere near ahead of ourselves.

vball wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:53 am Having entered my 60's, I know what being a Scotland fan is like. We are the best prepared we have ever been and the side is good (from a Scotland perspective).

As has already been said, anybody can beat anybody on a given day, with prevailing winds, good fortune, etc.

I think we will give SA a very hard game, and if we play for 80 (a very big if), we can win it. Probably, possibly, etc ... We can win it.
We will get beat by Ireland.
But being Scotland, we will beat everybody else, but with not enough points compared to SA and we go out on points difference. (That is of course expecting SA to beat Ireland and I think they will.)

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:19 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:24 am

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:58 am Well, it was genuinely the worst performance I've ever seen from an NZ team - never seen them mess up so many basics, and SA spent over half the game playing against 14.

The Boks made them do that. Just like Nelspruit last year was also the worst ever All Black performance. Funny how they've suddenly started having their worst ever performances against the Boks.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:25 am I seem to be in a bit of a minority that wasn't actually all that impressed with SA on Friday night. I still think you will end up squeezing the life out of us but I'm not any more, or less, excited because of that game. "Scotland erupting into playing the sexiest rugby known to man at some point" will make us winners to any but the most hardened Boer anyway.

If Scotland's plan is running the ball, and I think it is, then the Boks have all the tools to stop that. You can then say it was the worst ever Scotland performance.

A bit touchy there old boy. Didn't NZ hump you a few weeks ago? Kind of suggests they don't always have bad performances against you.

If you think losing to SA in a couple of weeks will make it into the "worst ever Scotland performance" category, you've obviously never had the pleasure of supporting Scotland.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:11 am

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:05 am

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:58 am

Well, it was genuinely the worst performance I've ever seen from an NZ team - never seen them mess up so many basics, and SA spent over half the game playing against 14. I'm not belittling the Boks, just don't think they have really clicked yet or been tested.

No need to further explain, completely understand that the Boks weren't at their best. As I said, always room for improvement. That game is behind us anyway and means nothing, Scotland is the focus now. Based on the good performances from Scotland in the warm ups, the Boks will need to be very clinical, physical and keep the Scots under as much pressure as possible during set pieces.

That's the interesting bit for me. I think you'd struggle to find a Scotsman who truly believes we will win this game, but what gives us a bit of hope is that for the last 3 or 4 years we've felt we could beat anyone on our day except SA and Ireland, because we just can't handle the power. What has changed over the last year is that we have a scrummage that can at the very least hold it's own against anyone, and I think will really challenge Ireland, and seem to have developed a lot more physicality. I just don't think we can keep it going over the whole 80 - although the Bomb Squad has become a bit of a cliché, it's still terrifying when you see them all waddle on.

_Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:12 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:19 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:24 am
The Boks made them do that. Just like Nelspruit last year was also the worst ever All Black performance. Funny how they've suddenly started having their worst ever performances against the Boks.

If Scotland's plan is running the ball, and I think it is, then the Boks have all the tools to stop that. You can then say it was the worst ever Scotland performance.

A bit touchy there old boy. Didn't NZ hump you a few weeks ago? Kind of suggests they don't always have bad performances against you.

If you think losing to SA in a couple of weeks will make it into the "worst ever Scotland performance" category, you've obviously never had the pleasure of supporting Scotland.

So your explanation of recent All Black v Bok matches is the ABs "humped" the Boks then had their worst ever match, and "something something hardened Boers". You seem somewhat biased against the Boks.

If this Bok side is able to fully put the hammer down on Scotland, then the only way you'll be able to make sense of it is "I don't understand what has happened, this is the worst ever Scotland performance".

Playing in the URC makes a good Bok performance more likely. Our SA based players go to Glasgow and Edinburgh our coaches watch those matches, the players and coaches will give your team more respect (and mean it) than you're giving the Boks on this thread. In the past Scotland was an exotic thing the Boks played every second year or so and usually in Scotland, you weren't on our radar much and could be underestimated. But our provinces have lost to Scottish sides so it's different now, some of the selected players will have lost to Scottish teams.

The results against Wales and the ABs were about the Boks respecting those sides as much as anything else.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:49 am

assfly wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:02 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:52 am The Scotland v South Africa game will depend a lot on the ref. Not for decisions around the breakdown (although that might come in to it) but for how much he allows the South Africans to slow down the pace of play and waddle around the pitch delaying everything. Scotland clearly have a game plan to increase the pace and not give them time to catch their breath, keep[ the ball in play as much as possible and move lineouts and restarts on quickly. South Africa consistently want a slower paced game, not the pace of in-play rugby, but the delays and waits between set pieces, restarts etc. If the ref allows SA to slow the game, they will win comfortably. If he allows Scotland to dictate more of the pace, it'll get interesting.

What's your issue with that assessment?

_Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:12 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:19 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:24 am
The Boks made them do that. Just like Nelspruit last year was also the worst ever All Black performance. Funny how they've suddenly started having their worst ever performances against the Boks.

If Scotland's plan is running the ball, and I think it is, then the Boks have all the tools to stop that. You can then say it was the worst ever Scotland performance.

A bit touchy there old boy. Didn't NZ hump you a few weeks ago? Kind of suggests they don't always have bad performances against you.

If you think losing to SA in a couple of weeks will make it into the "worst ever Scotland performance" category, you've obviously never had the pleasure of supporting Scotland.

So your explanation of recent All Black v Bok matches is the ABs "humped" the Boks then had their worst ever match, and "something something hardened Boers". You seem somewhat biased against the Boks.

If this Bok side is able to fully put the hammer down on Scotland, then the only way you'll be able to make sense of it is "I don't understand what has happened, this is the worst ever Scotland performance".

Playing in the URC makes a good Bok performance more likely. Our SA based players go to Glasgow and Edinburgh our coaches watch those matches, the players and coaches will give your team more respect (and mean it) than you're giving the Boks on this thread. In the past Scotland was an exotic thing the Boks played every second year or so and usually in Scotland, you weren't on our radar much and could be underestimated. But our provinces have lost to Scottish sides so it's different now, some of the selected players will have lost to Scottish teams.

The results against Wales and the ABs were about the Boks respecting those sides as much as anything else.

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:49 am

assfly wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:02 am

What's your issue with that assessment?

Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:49 am

assfly wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:02 am

What's your issue with that assessment?

Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:11 am What has changed over the last year is that we have a scrummage that can at the very least hold it's own against anyone, and I think will really challenge Ireland, and seem to have developed a lot more physicality. I just don't think we can keep it going over the whole 80 - although the Bomb Squad has become a bit of a cliché, it's still terrifying when you see them all waddle on.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:51 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:49 am

What's your issue with that assessment?

Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

Last week against the All Blacks.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:13 am Judging by the warmups:

Scotland can play absolutely amazing rugby, but haven't yet shown they can do it for 80 minutes. Best showing was against France in St Etienne, where France scored 14 points in 5 minutes just after half time that ultimately won them the game; and Scotland have periods like this in pretty much every game. In their favour, they do look physically it and have a never-say-die attitude that gets them back into the game time after time.

The Boks have been good, and have expanded their game plan without trading in their physical dominance - but are not scoring heavily. Even in the rout of NZ on Friday, they were utterly dominant from the start but didn't score a point until the 18th minute (against 13 men), including a number of fruitless 22 entries before that point. So perhaps a slight question mark on how ruthless they are in converting dominance into points.

Most likely scenario therefore: SA dominating but not running away with it, Scotland erupting into playing the sexiest rugby known to man at some point and making it an equal contest, before SA eventually turns it into a win by a small margin.

If only the Irish can keep being mediocre like in their own warmups, both SA and Scotland will be grand. Big if, though.

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:51 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm
Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

Last week against the All Blacks.

Where did you see that? What did they do exactly? I've watched the test match twice and I'm trying to understand your point. Or is that your "feeling"? One of the dangerously few benefits of having that 7/1 split was rolling forward substitutes. Look you are welcome to think that, but I won't put my hope on the Boks being tired. You are stuck in 2021 mate.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:48 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:49 am

What's your issue with that assessment?

Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

If that's his issue then why not counter that with a genuine attempt at some discourse rather than continue the sarcy comments? Some pretty petty comments already from people who seem quite insecure because a few Jocks reckon Scotland can put in a good performance against SA.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:48 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:49 am

What's your issue with that assessment?

Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

If that's his issue then why not counter that with a genuine attempt at some discourse rather than continue the sarcy comments? Some pretty petty comments already from people who seem quite insecure because a few Jocks reckon Scotland can put in a good performance against SA.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:13 pm

Why do you think the first half took an hour? Lots of minor delaying tactics. Extra talks with the ref, slow to lineouts, slow to restarts.

It's not about tiring people out. If you had watched Scotland regularly over the last few years you'd see it's not uncommon for our tries to come in batches, two or three in ten or fifteen minutes. That's down to rapid play, keep coming at them non stop work. It's possible to see multiple times (particularly England) teams with a look of 'what the fuck is going on?'. Part of it is seeding a bit of chaos and pushing that on a defensive structure until it breaks.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:13 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:51 pm

Last week against the All Blacks.

Where did you see that? What did they do exactly? I've watched the test match twice and I'm trying to understand your point. Or is that your "feeling"? One of the dangerously few benefits of having that 7/1 split was rolling forward substitutes. Look you are welcome to think that, but I won't put my hope on the Boks being tired. You are stuck in 2021 mate.

Why do you think the first half took an hour? Lots of minor delaying tactics. Extra talks with the ref, slow to lineouts, slow to restarts.

It's not about tiring people out. If you had watched Scotland regularly over the last few years you'd see it's not uncommon for our tries to come in batches, two or three in ten or fifteen minutes. That's down to rapid play, keep coming at them non stop work. It's possible to see multiple times (particularly England) teams with a look of 'what the fuck is going on?'. Part of it is seeding a bit of chaos and pushing that on a defensive structure until it breaks.

Calculon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:15 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:48 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm
Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

If that's his issue then why not counter that with a genuine attempt at some discourse rather than continue the sarcy comments? Some pretty petty comments already from people who seem quite insecure because a few Jocks reckon Scotland can put in a good performance against SA.

More a case of Bok supporters being miffed that apparently their team only does well when the opposition is "rank" or "the worst performance I've ever seen them played", and of course when the ref allows the "waddling" Boks to cynically slow the game down. Anyway, I remember at the last world cup final when the only Scot on the forum who supported the Boks over England (the England team ffs.) was HKCJ, so it's nothing new for this place.

Sards wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:25 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:13 pm

Why do you think the first half took an hour? Lots of minor delaying tactics. Extra talks with the ref, slow to lineouts, slow to restarts.

It's not about tiring people out. If you had watched Scotland regularly over the last few years you'd see it's not uncommon for our tries to come in batches, two or three in ten or fifteen minutes. That's down to rapid play, keep coming at them non stop work. It's possible to see multiple times (particularly England) teams with a look of 'what the fuck is going on?'. Part of it is seeding a bit of chaos and pushing that on a defensive structure until it breaks.

I am not getting the issue. The refs are empowered to speed up the game at every set piece.
Secondly, if it's a tactic and it works why complain. I am sure Scotland are going to use every trick to win. I won't begrudge them that.

Calculon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:15 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:48 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm
Where did you see the Boks slowing down any tests this year?

If that's his issue then why not counter that with a genuine attempt at some discourse rather than continue the sarcy comments? Some pretty petty comments already from people who seem quite insecure because a few Jocks reckon Scotland can put in a good performance against SA.

More a case of Bok supporters being miffed that apparently their team only does well when the opposition is "rank" or "the worst performance I've ever seen them played", and of course when the ref allows the "waddling" Boks to cynically slow the game down. Anyway, I remember at the last world cup final when the only Scot on the forum who supported the Boks over England (the England team ffs.) was HKCJ, so it's nothing new for this place.

Sards wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:25 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:13 pm

Why do you think the first half took an hour? Lots of minor delaying tactics. Extra talks with the ref, slow to lineouts, slow to restarts.

It's not about tiring people out. If you had watched Scotland regularly over the last few years you'd see it's not uncommon for our tries to come in batches, two or three in ten or fifteen minutes. That's down to rapid play, keep coming at them non stop work. It's possible to see multiple times (particularly England) teams with a look of 'what the fuck is going on?'. Part of it is seeding a bit of chaos and pushing that on a defensive structure until it breaks.

I am not getting the issue. The refs are empowered to speed up the game at every set piece.
Secondly, if it's a tactic and it works why complain. I am sure Scotland are going to use every trick to win. I won't begrudge them that.

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:31 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:13 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm
Where did you see that? What did they do exactly? I've watched the test match twice and I'm trying to understand your point. Or is that your "feeling"? One of the dangerously few benefits of having that 7/1 split was rolling forward substitutes. Look you are welcome to think that, but I won't put my hope on the Boks being tired. You are stuck in 2021 mate.

Why do you think the first half took an hour? Lots of minor delaying tactics. Extra talks with the ref, slow to lineouts, slow to restarts.

It's not about tiring people out. If you had watched Scotland regularly over the last few years you'd see it's not uncommon for our tries to come in batches, two or three in ten or fifteen minutes. That's down to rapid play, keep coming at them non stop work. It's possible to see multiple times (particularly England) teams with a look of 'what the fuck is going on?'. Part of it is seeding a bit of chaos and pushing that on a defensive structure until it breaks.

I'm sorry, but you are talking out your backside. The Springboks did not slow down the game. If anything they continued applying unrelenting pressure on the AB boys. It's essentially what made NZ crumble, non-stop pressure. Didn't kick for posts, just kept hammering away at the AB's. As I said, that was one of the added bonusses of having 7 fresh forwards waiting on the bench. I'll happily discuss other issues you may present on the Boks, but slowing down that test match was definitely not one of them.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:49 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:31 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:13 pm

Why do you think the first half took an hour? Lots of minor delaying tactics. Extra talks with the ref, slow to lineouts, slow to restarts.

It's not about tiring people out. If you had watched Scotland regularly over the last few years you'd see it's not uncommon for our tries to come in batches, two or three in ten or fifteen minutes. That's down to rapid play, keep coming at them non stop work. It's possible to see multiple times (particularly England) teams with a look of 'what the fuck is going on?'. Part of it is seeding a bit of chaos and pushing that on a defensive structure until it breaks.

I'm sorry, but you are talking out your backside. The Springboks did not slow down the game. If anything they continued applying unrelenting pressure on the AB boys. It's essentially what made NZ crumble, non-stop pressure. Didn't kick for posts, just kept hammering away at the AB's. As I said, that was one of the added bonusses of having 7 fresh forwards waiting on the bench. I'll happily discuss other issues you may present on the Boks, but slowing down that test match was definitely not one of them.

So why do you think the first half took an hour?

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:55 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:49 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:31 pm
I'm sorry, but you are talking out your backside. The Springboks did not slow down the game. If anything they continued applying unrelenting pressure on the AB boys. It's essentially what made NZ crumble, non-stop pressure. Didn't kick for posts, just kept hammering away at the AB's. As I said, that was one of the added bonusses of having 7 fresh forwards waiting on the bench. I'll happily discuss other issues you may present on the Boks, but slowing down that test match was definitely not one of them.

So why do you think the first half took an hour?

Did you watch the game Bif?

weegie01 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:11 am What has changed over the last year is that we have a scrummage that can at the very least hold it's own against anyone, and I think will really challenge Ireland, and seem to have developed a lot more physicality. I just don't think we can keep it going over the whole 80 - although the Bomb Squad has become a bit of a cliché, it's still terrifying when you see them all waddle on.

Edit - I see others have made the same point.

I think the Saffa teams in the URC have a lot to do with this. Scottish teams have had to learn to deal with the physicality coming at them regularly during the season. The Irish are not exactly soft, but Edinburgh and Glasgow players I know talk about the Saffas being a bit more physical, but also as teams, more unrelenting. So even when the physicality is not actually higher, it just comes at you non stop. Other teams may outmatch them in other areas, but the relentless physicality has forced Scottish sides to adapt.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:13 pm

weegie01 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:11 am What has changed over the last year is that we have a scrummage that can at the very least hold it's own against anyone, and I think will really challenge Ireland, and seem to have developed a lot more physicality. I just don't think we can keep it going over the whole 80 - although the Bomb Squad has become a bit of a cliché, it's still terrifying when you see them all waddle on.

Edit - I see others have made the same point.

I think the Saffa teams in the URC have a lot to do with this. Scottish teams have had to learn to deal with the physicality coming at them regularly during the season. The Irish are not exactly soft, but Edinburgh and Glasgow players I know talk about the Saffas being a bit more physical, but also as teams, more unrelenting. So even when the physicality is not actually higher, it just comes at you non stop. Other teams may outmatch them in other areas, but the relentless physicality has forced Scottish sides to adapt.

Why they put the top URC sides in one group is just unbelievable. Us playing in the URC have also a lot of bonusses for us like Ox posted earlier. But then not many of the Springboks play much URC or in it like Marx, Eben, Kolisi, Mostert, Faf, Willie and a lot plays for the opposition like Snyman, Kleyn, Vermeulen, AE ext.

Speed up the game. We have a lot of that one. But the Boks changed lately. Will be exciting to see Scotland quick game against the Boks. They'll need possession and get their 1st phase sorted. I thought thats where Wales and the All Blacks got fucked.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:56 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:55 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:49 pm

So why do you think the first half took an hour?

Did you watch the game Bif?

Yep. Answer the question

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:25 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:13 pm

weegie01 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Edit - I see others have made the same point.

I think the Saffa teams in the URC have a lot to do with this. Scottish teams have had to learn to deal with the physicality coming at them regularly during the season. The Irish are not exactly soft, but Edinburgh and Glasgow players I know talk about the Saffas being a bit more physical, but also as teams, more unrelenting. So even when the physicality is not actually higher, it just comes at you non stop. Other teams may outmatch them in other areas, but the relentless physicality has forced Scottish sides to adapt.

Why they put the top URC sides in one group is just unbelievable. Us playing in the URC have also a lot of bonusses for us like Ox posted earlier. But then not many of the Springboks play much URC or in it like Marx, Eben, Kolisi, Mostert, Faf, Willie and a lot plays for the opposition like Snyman, Kleyn, Vermeulen, AE ext.

Speed up the game. We have a lot of that one. But the Boks changed lately. Will be exciting to see Scotland quick game against the Boks. They'll need possession and get their 1st phase sorted. I thought thats where Wales and the All Blacks got fucked.

I think it might be an absolute cracker. Here's hoping.

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:56 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:56 pm

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 2:55 pm
Did you watch the game Bif?

Yep. Answer the question

Injuries. TMO intervention. Penalties. Knock ons. But mostly scrums. Nowhere would you see the Boks walking slow to a line out. It was just the nature of that game man. Now my turn, where did you see the Boks slowing down the game?

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:25 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:13 pm

weegie01 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Edit - I see others have made the same point.

I think the Saffa teams in the URC have a lot to do with this. Scottish teams have had to learn to deal with the physicality coming at them regularly during the season. The Irish are not exactly soft, but Edinburgh and Glasgow players I know talk about the Saffas being a bit more physical, but also as teams, more unrelenting. So even when the physicality is not actually higher, it just comes at you non stop. Other teams may outmatch them in other areas, but the relentless physicality has forced Scottish sides to adapt.

Why they put the top URC sides in one group is just unbelievable. Us playing in the URC have also a lot of bonusses for us like Ox posted earlier. But then not many of the Springboks play much URC or in it like Marx, Eben, Kolisi, Mostert, Faf, Willie and a lot plays for the opposition like Snyman, Kleyn, Vermeulen, AE ext.

Speed up the game. We have a lot of that one. But the Boks changed lately. Will be exciting to see Scotland quick game against the Boks. They'll need possession and get their 1st phase sorted. I thought thats where Wales and the All Blacks got fucked.

I think it might be an absolute cracker. Here's hoping.

Biffer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:31 pm

_Os_ wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 12:12 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:19 am
A bit touchy there old boy. Didn't NZ hump you a few weeks ago? Kind of suggests they don't always have bad performances against you.

If you think losing to SA in a couple of weeks will make it into the "worst ever Scotland performance" category, you've obviously never had the pleasure of supporting Scotland.

So your explanation of recent All Black v Bok matches is the ABs "humped" the Boks then had their worst ever match, and "something something hardened Boers". You seem somewhat biased against the Boks.

If this Bok side is able to fully put the hammer down on Scotland, then the only way you'll be able to make sense of it is "I don't understand what has happened, this is the worst ever Scotland performance".

Playing in the URC makes a good Bok performance more likely. Our SA based players go to Glasgow and Edinburgh our coaches watch those matches, the players and coaches will give your team more respect (and mean it) than you're giving the Boks on this thread. In the past Scotland was an exotic thing the Boks played every second year or so and usually in Scotland, you weren't on our radar much and could be underestimated. But our provinces have lost to Scottish sides so it's different now, some of the selected players will have lost to Scottish teams.

The results against Wales and the ABs were about the Boks respecting those sides as much as anything else.

The flip side of that is our guys are more used to playing against the power of bok forwards as well. Edinburgh's games against the bok teams have generally been really tight, so they know they're capable of competing.

It's not a one way street to the advantage of South Africa.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 7:22 pm Saffers, is Moodie now a first choice? Loved watching him on Friday

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:13 pm

weegie01 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:06 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 10:11 am What has changed over the last year is that we have a scrummage that can at the very least hold it's own against anyone, and I think will really challenge Ireland, and seem to have developed a lot more physicality. I just don't think we can keep it going over the whole 80 - although the Bomb Squad has become a bit of a cliché, it's still terrifying when you see them all waddle on.

Edit - I see others have made the same point.

I think the Saffa teams in the URC have a lot to do with this. Scottish teams have had to learn to deal with the physicality coming at them regularly during the season. The Irish are not exactly soft, but Edinburgh and Glasgow players I know talk about the Saffas being a bit more physical, but also as teams, more unrelenting. So even when the physicality is not actually higher, it just comes at you non stop. Other teams may outmatch them in other areas, but the relentless physicality has forced Scottish sides to adapt.

Why they put the top URC sides in one group is just unbelievable. Us playing in the URC have also a lot of bonusses for us like Ox posted earlier. But then not many of the Springboks play much URC or in it like Marx, Eben, Kolisi, Mostert, Faf, Willie and a lot plays for the opposition like Snyman, Kleyn, Vermeulen, AE ext.

Speed up the game. We have a lot of that one. But the Boks changed lately. Will be exciting to see Scotland quick game against the Boks. They'll need possession and get their 1st phase sorted. I thought thats where Wales and the All Blacks got fucked.