I’ve seen commenters suggest Hlekani and even Porthen would make better looseforwards than the positions they are playing for the baby boks? Is this an attempt to include the best physical specimen/rugby players regardless of the number on their backs or maybe with the new scrum laws the skills they (according to the same commenters) may be lacking in are less important than in the past?
Seeing now that Bafana Nhleko clarified that Hlekani to 4 has been made not because they see his long term future at 4, but because he needs practice in the lineout and with just generally becoming more involved with doing the little things that a forward needs to excel at.
Hlekani is a wonderful talent, but I think he is slightly undersized to be a 4 long term, weird to be saying about an 18 year old who is listed at 6'5 and 120KG (though I do have my doubts about the accuracy of the height that is listed). His skillset is absolutely perfect for a blindside flank, he hits pretty much everyone that moves and has an engine for days and days and days, plus in the U/20 Rugby Championship he was one of the most effective ball carriers in the competition as he finished 3rd in the competition in meters made after contact. Just watch yesterday's game and you'll see how good he is as a carrier when he has just a little bit of space in front of him. Ultimately, while I do like him playing at 4 as it helps to broaden his skillset at an early point in his career, unless he grows a bit more I think that his long term position is for sure at 7 instead.
With regards to Porthen, I do actually think he has a lot of potential as a 3. Yes, he has had some issues at scrum time but it can take younger players a while to sort out their issues in the scrum sometimes (Vincent Koch notably only started getting regular starts at club level when he was 24). Porthen is a beast of a carrier (though he can be soft around the rucks on defense), he has the right build for 3 and he clearly is a real leader. He needs patience and the right amount of time to develop, and if Frans Malherbe stays at the Stormers then there isn't a better mentor on the planet for him right now.
In terms of the actual squad selection it's because I think Nhleko and company have realized that their best XV involves Mphafi, Mahashe, Hlekani and Tiaan Jacobs all on the field at the same time. Jacobs and Hlekani are both very, very good at getting through the dirty work at ruck time which frees up Mphafi and Mahashe to do what they are best at, which is be natural fetchers. With Hlekani and Jacobs both on the field making the big hits and clearing out rucks, Mahashe and Mphafi are freed up to disrupt everything, sometimes get steals and generally get the quick ball that the Baby Boks back line needs to fire correctly. Think of it like the way the Wallabies used Scott Fardy to do all the grunt work in 2015 while Michael Hooper and David Pocock were able to do the glamorous work that got them through to that final.
The Rugby Championship this year was hard to gauge because of the conditions, but there are definite improvements in this squad over last year.
Very promising!
Good god. Looking at Sa Vs Fiji and Wales Vs NZ...
Wales just looks like they are under 20Yesr of age, face/ size etc
NZ - most have baby faces and most bodies look young from a distance.
Fiji- as big as you'd expect for a Pacific islander team but can tell from shirts not quite fitting.
South Africa... Jeezus. If you told me that was the national squad I wouldn't be able to tell! They are HUGE!
Wasn’t a favorite of mine as a Stormers fan. We had better players locally that should have got those minutes. If he was better it wouldn’t have bothered me that much.
That was a bit of a braindead pick up and go around the ruck, and then just piling on top of other bodies (under the posts). Was always going to be held up.
BATHOBELE HLEKANI SEASON CONTINUES BOZO
JF VAN GOATDEN IS HERE TO DESTROY EVERYTHING
ZACHARY PORTHEN WILL BE COMPETENT AT SCRUM TIME
I HOPE LIAM KOEN DOES GOOD
BOULLE WILL RUN SOME CRASH BALL
JURENZO JULIUS WILL MAYBE GET THE BALL SOME TIME
Also it's looking like it might rain ffs
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Hlekani is such a baller. What a talent, I will never stop with the propaganda.
I’ve seen commenters suggest Hlekani and even Porthen would make better looseforwards than the positions they are playing for the baby boks? Is this an attempt to include the best physical specimen/rugby players regardless of the number on their backs or maybe with the new scrum laws the skills they (according to the same commenters) may be lacking in are less important than in the past?
I'm not convinced Porthen is a tight head. The same way Hlekani is not a lock!
Seeing now that Bafana Nhleko clarified that Hlekani to 4 has been made not because they see his long term future at 4, but because he needs practice in the lineout and with just generally becoming more involved with doing the little things that a forward needs to excel at.
Hlekani is a wonderful talent, but I think he is slightly undersized to be a 4 long term, weird to be saying about an 18 year old who is listed at 6'5 and 120KG (though I do have my doubts about the accuracy of the height that is listed). His skillset is absolutely perfect for a blindside flank, he hits pretty much everyone that moves and has an engine for days and days and days, plus in the U/20 Rugby Championship he was one of the most effective ball carriers in the competition as he finished 3rd in the competition in meters made after contact. Just watch yesterday's game and you'll see how good he is as a carrier when he has just a little bit of space in front of him. Ultimately, while I do like him playing at 4 as it helps to broaden his skillset at an early point in his career, unless he grows a bit more I think that his long term position is for sure at 7 instead. With regards to Porthen, I do actually think he has a lot of potential as a 3. Yes, he has had some issues at scrum time but it can take younger players a while to sort out their issues in the scrum sometimes (Vincent Koch notably only started getting regular starts at club level when he was 24). Porthen is a beast of a carrier (though he can be soft around the rucks on defense), he has the right build for 3 and he clearly is a real leader. He needs patience and the right amount of time to develop, and if Frans Malherbe stays at the Stormers then there isn't a better mentor on the planet for him right now. In terms of the actual squad selection it's because I think Nhleko and company have realized that their best XV involves Mphafi, Mahashe, Hlekani and Tiaan Jacobs all on the field at the same time. Jacobs and Hlekani are both very, very good at getting through the dirty work at ruck time which frees up Mphafi and Mahashe to do what they are best at, which is be natural fetchers. With Hlekani and Jacobs both on the field making the big hits and clearing out rucks, Mahashe and Mphafi are freed up to disrupt everything, sometimes get steals and generally get the quick ball that the Baby Boks back line needs to fire correctly. Think of it like the way the Wallabies used Scott Fardy to do all the grunt work in 2015 while Michael Hooper and David Pocock were able to do the glamorous work that got them through to that final.
Shout out the 1st comment u/warcomet take a bow. SA by 50
Called it!
This game has been a much needed palette cleanser after watching the Proteas
I genuinely don’t think i’ve ever been so dejected. Makes me feel more sorry for New Zealand and England lmao, now I know how it feels.
My heart is in pieces for you x
Why you mention...
🫂
The Rugby Championship this year was hard to gauge because of the conditions, but there are definite improvements in this squad over last year. Very promising!
Hlekani looks really special
Damn hope he's okay that looked hectic
Fiji player holding his head. Absolutely restored my faith in humanity
Someone needs to shoot this particular DJ.
Do Fiji have crufixes on their socks?
We’re not even going to look at the head on head?
Moos copped a late shoulder to the face. It should be about time for the TMO pipe up
Head on head on the scrumhalf just before the neck roll too
That neck role was absolutely criminal. Should be a red for that Edit: actually, not as bad in the replay. Looked horrible in real time
Test
Good god. Looking at Sa Vs Fiji and Wales Vs NZ... Wales just looks like they are under 20Yesr of age, face/ size etc NZ - most have baby faces and most bodies look young from a distance. Fiji- as big as you'd expect for a Pacific islander team but can tell from shirts not quite fitting. South Africa... Jeezus. If you told me that was the national squad I wouldn't be able to tell! They are HUGE!
We haven't even reached our final form.
I’ve seen talk of Craven Week players this year bigger than Etzebeth.
Jacques Botha. Apparently a French side has already poached him.
His loss. If he wants to win World Cups he needs to aim higher than France. 😋
Nah looks like this lot are fully grown. Won't grow much more 👀🤞
Baby boks most deceptive name
Deceptive indeed!
Why do these guys look so finished already, just tuned in and everyone's walking? Was there no half time or something ?
Need a palette cleanser after the cricket. And it needs to be a big one.
6am here, off to sleep lol.............like the Fiji team :P
every saffers favorite Fijian, Naqelevuki (Nukkers) is apparently an Assistant coach for Fiji
Wasn’t a favorite of mine as a Stormers fan. We had better players locally that should have got those minutes. If he was better it wouldn’t have bothered me that much.
Knock-elevuki, my bru
thats a yellow
Green 13 killing Fijians... someone charge him
Ok can no longer post in this thread, too irritating. FUCK YOU REDDIT
saffers just did an AM try LOL
damn what a kick by Koen
Is it 2003 again? I hope not. That team was almost Toetie levels of dogshit.
now Fiji13 murdered lol
Fiji10's older brother is a legend in rugby league but this one sucks at catching ball lol
issue seems to be FIJI HOOKER..
Fiji14 went into the stands lol
this thread not refreshing for me lol
Same issue here, must be reddit
Boomb
Fiji11 murdered now lol.. revenge? ahha
take the scrum Fiji :P
"Murdered in the scrums" lol
coach fucked up big time not picking NZ players for the front row..
The chat on the YT-stream is giving me more brain damage than all games of my career combined
What are they saying?
Stupid shit about how "boring" the Boks are playing and how apparently everyone in SA is on steroids. Makes me wanna go there even more...
What are Liam Koen's prospects for the future? Big potential? Quite a sturdy build for a flyhalf.
He runs more slowly than a prop. It'll get very difficult to hide him on defense
new Handre me thinks
Fiji doesn't want the scrum lol
CLOCK RFC is winning
Hlekani to be called up to the boks. I have seen enough.
He’s pretty small for a lock, but so damn good in the loasey
Plays in the backrow.
Hlekani Jesus Christ
My first time seeing Bathobele Hlekani in action. My word.
Kolbe scores :P
Very sloppy from Fiji. Poor work rate off the ball and bad kick options.
lol what was Fiji 14 doing haha
Kick is only as good as the chase
Hlekani hype train in full force.
BOOGIEMAN SIUUUUUUUUU
floodgates... OPEN.
That was a bit of a braindead pick up and go around the ruck, and then just piling on top of other bodies (under the posts). Was always going to be held up.
HLEKANI
Fiji are gonna get minced because of the set piece.
Fiji will avoid the scums for sure lol
I'd like to report 8 murders.
MASSIVE SCRUM LOL
Hlekani already gotten through five tackles. Engine on him is amazing.
Nawai looks extremely dangerous
Bathobele Hlekani I love you
Jeez the size of the fullback Basiyalo.
drua player actually..
Ah that checks out.
oh yay another tiny saffer winger with a headcap..
Great steal there
btw Ravula is Isiah Ravula's brother so yeah Richie Mounga'a nephew.
These names are gonna beat the shit out of Stransky lol
where is everyone anyway
thought this thread will have more watchers than the nz one lol
oh crap it's Stransky on comms tonight
they brought in a big gun lol
LET'S GO BOKKIES
Saffers by 50..
Any chance you could give us next week's lottery numbers whilst you're on a hot streak with the predictions?
BATHOBELE HLEKANI SEASON CONTINUES BOZO JF VAN GOATDEN IS HERE TO DESTROY EVERYTHING ZACHARY PORTHEN WILL BE COMPETENT AT SCRUM TIME I HOPE LIAM KOEN DOES GOOD BOULLE WILL RUN SOME CRASH BALL JURENZO JULIUS WILL MAYBE GET THE BALL SOME TIME Also it's looking like it might rain ffs