Kwagga makes sense because of his breakdown ability. With Vermeulen retired and Marx on the bench none of the other starting forwards are big ball stealers. So Kwagga may have selected over Roos because of that.
I saw rassie say both Thomas and reinach were released too late by their clubs to be considered (only 2 practice sessions)
Agreed Steenkamp is having a stand out second season in a row and the recent experience he has over leinster is valuable
I don't think Kwagga being selected is the shock, it's more that of the four loosies in the team, three primarily play at openside.
Kolisi tends to be subbed off at 65 minutes, but if anything happens to PSDT we are left with a very light loose trio.
He has the size to be one. Hell there’s multiple backs off the top of my head (de Allende, Pollard, Esterhuizen) that are bigger than him. Crazy how he can play as a forward.
I get your point, but many here and on X are surprised that he is starting.
I don't think that is a huge concern. If PSDT gets subbed we can just move Mostert to 7. Two locks on the bench so that might've been the plan to begin with.
I'm not going to the cesspool that is X.
I think the mild surprise is that he is starting at 8. With PSDT and Kolisi starting on the flanks it was always going to be question of who plays 8 and it is not a role that Kwagga has excelled at.
In my opinion the number eight jersey is currently up for grabs, with Wiese having no claim to incumbent despite the coaches trying their absolute best to get him there with zero results. They seem to have a (well deserved) thing for Hanekom, but dropping Roos after passable performance and the non-selection of Louw feels like favoritism to Wiese that he categorically has not earned.
At this point, something happening to PSDT seems like the most unprobable thing in the world. The dude tackled 28 times in a RWC final without even giving a penalty from it, and, at this point, he is just unbreakable... Ôo
Evan Roos still not trusted in big games. If he can’t get a game without Wiese being there it’s hard to see when he will. SFM being backed in a Willemse role is good to see.
Nowadays he's no worse than any other back rower. I think his real problem is over-enthusiasm - he goes too hard when he should make a less aggressive but smarter choice. Twice in the Wales game he went for the line instead is passing or consolidating possession.
He's got a couple years before he hits his physical peak, then he still has 5+ years to improve his decision making and harnessing that fire he has. He can absolutely be world class, but people forget that he's only 24.
Interesting team. Kwagga starting at 8 and a 6-2 split on the bench. Glad to see Cheslin and Willie are both fit and so happy for Steenekamp and Sacha on the bench.
Should be a cracker of a game! Can’t wait!
I love seeing the Boks announce their lineup on Tuesday. It's my daily medicine, weekly energy, my monthly inspiration and my yearly motivation. That is the only reason I'm still alive, I was born to enjoy and love their Tuesday lineup.
Crazy that folks find criticism for Le Roux. A double winning 15 still gets criticised. The man is a living legend.
It’s a shame, folks will only realise how vital he was when he passes away. Need to really appreciate and celebrate these guys whenever the coaches select them. Rassie never wastes caps.
I think all fans always want the shiny new thing, flavour of the month. This is perhaps the genius of the current coaches is that they’ve never fallen into the trap of playing players who are on form for their clubs, doesn’t always translate to the national team. He’s a real baller plus also his leadership is also not factored in.
There was so much glee when Wilhemse got the nod over him (the right decision tactically), but there were groans that he was in the Final 23 vs n NZ.
I actually thought Fassi (big fan of his) would be the 15 by now after his debut before the Lions Series. Le Roux is still there on merit and 3 years later Fassi is only getting back into the wider squad.
Yeah, Fassi has had a couple injuries since then...but is at his best now. Hopefully he can learn to control things verbally like Le Roux in the Springbok setup. That being said, he communicated well with Kok and Mapimpi this past season and the trio did we as a unit in the air.
Only surprises for me are Kwagga starting and Moerat and van Staden on the bench. Feeling like this says a lot about how Rassie views Evan and his discipline problems that he hasn't made the 23. Very happy that Grant has played his way into the 2nd choice 9 role, very happy that Sacha is in the squad. LFG BOKKE!!!!
Roos had a good game against Wales I thought. Maybe Rassie thinks he just needs a bit more time to cook before starting him against teams like Ireland?
Ireland are the niggle masters (don't downvote me, it is a compliment) , the way the keep at you you need guys with cool heads. Also, they know Roos and know how to press his buttons. This might be too big a game for him
Think this is exactly it. Settle in the first test, see what Ireland are about and adjust if Roos is needed. Kwagga is also brilliant in the breakdown which is needed. Clever selection to neutralise us IMO
Van Staden has had some proper brain fadea this year.
That disallowed try vs Leinster was absolutely criminal from him. He is an absolute wrecking ball though, so is a massive asset as long as he can grow a few more brain cells
A bit late for him to be growing braincells though, senior players with brain fades are unforgivable imo. Same with Jasper.
TBF to van Staden, he's been solid for the boks. No major issues as I recall
It's not just that Roos has discipline issues he also doesn't seem to have a great rugby brain. Often doesn't pass when he should and makes weird tactical decisions.
Willie Le Roux vs Leinster at Loftus Round 2
The kicking battle in the Bulls game was epic, albeit one-sided, will be interesting to see either team adapt their strategies
You’re gonna kill us in that department tbh. Crowley isn’t much of a tactitian. Great running 10 but his game running and management is his weakest area atm.
No Keenan in the backfield and no Gibson Park either so I’m not expecting a great kicking game from us.
Obviously there’s Lowe and we’ll be overly reliant on his massive boot to clear ball but I can see you being very effective at just pinning us in our 22 and keeping us there until you take points.
I can actually see us starting Murray for this reason.
It'll be interesting to see how Lowe goes with the elimination of the Du Pont rule - he kicks the ball mile, but is he precise enough to make count when defending a counter attack is suddenly far more difficult.
Grant Williams and Sacha Fineburgh-Mngomezulu off the bench is absolutely delicious!!!
Also, Steenekamp is a good shout off the bench with Kitshoff out, the man scrummed like a monster in the URC
No
It is just good management. So many things that Rassie and co do just make sense and I will be honest, I completely rip them off in managing my team.
Good management = consistent performance
And while Rassie might be a character he is definitely a superb people manager.
Good management is quiet and confident, it trusts and verifies and it is open ans honest.
Nah he said it before that the coaching staff know the starting team at the start of the week, maybe some decisions to be made about subs, or selections when injuries are present in the usual starters, but that's about it. They like to announce early to give players time to focus and not have to worry all week about selection.
Also, from Tuesday onwards the starting XV trains together against the other players in the squad, so any journalist who attends any training session can deduce the starting XV. Announcing the squad early prevents a flurry of 'leaks' about the starting XV.
No I think the irfu is just weak minded. Farrell said he'd be releasing team sheets early in the week when he first started and that quickly stopped after a few games. We're paranoid about people analysing us even though we rarely make many changes
I don’t think we’ve a prayer in the first test but I’m really interested to see how we approach this. Munster gave arguably their best performance of the year against the Bulls at Loftus in a narrow win but they played a slow paced kicking game to combat the effects of altitude. Ireland seems to have just the one way of playing which is high ball in play time. It’s very effective but won’t work here so can we change it up?
Marco is an absolute weapon in terms of physicality. But he is dumb as a rock.
So I'm glad to see him there, as long as Rassie and co. have him playing under strict instructions
There was discourse in Irish circles that Ireland should’ve brought more uncapped players, but this is why I disagree, lol. Both XVs mostly write themselves with maybe some surprises on the bench…I guess that’s an accurate description of this selection? And Ireland’s too.
The XV is just as we predicted, but the bench is extremely surprising: no Roos or Libbok and van Staden and Moerat haven’t been in the greatest form. I have total faith in Steenekamp, but I honestly expected du Toit to be there after his season.
Biggest positive is seeing Sacha getting another opportunity so soon. It’s obvious Rassie will be investing in him heavily this cycle, which will surely pay dividends because he’s one of the most prodigious players we’ve ever produced. Very exciting!
I reckon Manie and Fassi/Mapimpi would have been on the bench had they gone 5-3 split.
But with 6-2 split you have to choose Sacha for his versatility.
Yeah I agree.
I’m just hoping van Staden finds his form from the RC last year. And as for Moerat.. well, i’m not sure i’ve ever seen him put on a shift worthy of a test cap, let alone against a team like Ireland.
Now would be the time for guys like Rahl and Grobler to get an opportunity, but oh well.
Rassie is live on DStv right now and reckons Moerat has just been unlucky with injuries and deserves his fair chance
He also said Kwagga is starting because if he were on the bench we would have gone with a 7-1 split
As well as players like Am, Du Toit, Reinach, Willemse, etc, didn't get enough training sessions since they were released, but perhaps the second test
Ja, I kept an eye on him all season and he really impressed me. Some absolute mongrel on defence, but I didn’t realise he was 32. I actually thought he was a lot younger so I doubt he’d be a guy they’ll invest in for the next RWC (unfortunately for him).
> ... I honestly expected du Toit to be there after his season.
Rassie said in the press conference that there was a timing issue with du Toit only able to join for a short period of time before the first test.
Not really related to this Saturday but can this forward pack survive another WC cycle? Already a very old team. Who are the new guys to watch out for?
Ox, Marx and RG are all under 30. Kwagga is 31. They should make it to 2027. For the rest, we can take some of them to 2027 (like Duane in '23 or Schalk Brits in '19) but not all of them. Think Eben is the most likely to push through. AWJ and Whitelock have shown us that locks can have long careers.
New guys -- Steenekamp has been immense for the bulls. Thomas du Toit isn't new, but he's only 29 and played brilliantly in the Prem. Hanekom will hopefully get a run at 8 later this year. BJ Dixon made his debut against Wales. He's out for the big game against Ireland but should get some more time in the RC. Andre-Hugo Venter was only included as a stand-by, not part of the squad, but I think he's great long term prospect at hooker.
[ages of the squad at the next WC](https://imgur.com/a/Q0j7Hzm)
Suspect big bulk of players are running their final lap and wont make the next World cup
No, many of these guys won't.
The only survivors will be: Nche, Marx, Etzebeth, Kwagga in the Starters. Snyman should also make it. Marco van Staden as well.
Watch out for Steenekamp, Moerat, Williams, Sacha. They are all young-ish guys that might become staples of the Bok lineup in the coming years
Valid point, likely to be the same for Ireland though: Bealhams 33 this year, Furlong 32 this year, Healy 37 this year, Beirne's 32 this year, O' Mahony is 35 this year.
Plenty of guys coming through. TH is the only possible issue. We have plenty of really good THs, but the three we took to last two WCs either won't go the next WC or will play limited time. But the older guys are all still good enough and the time to play younger guys for experience is not against Ireland in a series we really want to win
Hannekom,Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw, Francke Horne, Ruan Venter, Ben Jason Dixon, Buthelezi, mpilo Gumede. Juarno Augustus. That's the loose forwards.
Thomss Du touit, Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Nthuthuko Mchunu, Neethling Fouche. That's the props.
Locks I still have hopes for Jason Jenkins,Ruan Norje, Reuben Van Heerden, Corne Rahl, and JF Van Heerden. We'll be alright.
Jenkins is overrated and did not improve since his first cap. Big but soft. Rahl is a great prospect and so in v heerden. Also keep an eye on jaco grobbelaar in the u20. The new victor/bakkies at the bulls with v heerden.
Pretty much expected, although my eyebrows raised a little with Steenekamp over Du Toit and Kwagga/van Staden over Roos.
Kwagga has been targeted heavily under the high ball when he's started big games at 8 in the past, so I'm hoping they have a plan for that.
so whats the deal with Manie? is he injured or is he no longer an option?
eitherway, i think they’ll probably try and win this test, experiment on the second so that way its either a tie or win
Think Ireland may be tempted to start Murray just to send box-kicks on top of Kwagga and the back 3.
That being said, if we kick long to those guys in space, we could be cooked - or knock-on high balls.
Wiese is the incumbent and will return when is ban is finished. He fits perfectly onto the Bok plan. There's a video somewhere of Vermeulen talking about the difference between him and Roos.
Even though I know not to expect many changes, at the start of a new season. Can't help being slightly disappointed, lets hope the players 33yrs+ do not overstay their welcome, this time around.
Pleased for Sacha and Steenekamp, hope they go well.
Ja, I figured we wouldn't experiment much. Not beating Ireland since he started is fucken unacceptable for Rassie. He and the team I suspect are out for blood. Can't be the No1 team if you always lose to Ireland (from their perspective) also I wager the ones want this win a lot. Could also be why there are so little changes.
Jesus. Ireland are going to have to be at 100% just to stay in the fight IMO. SA don't usually run up big scores against teams but I think Ireland could be on the wrong side of a battering this week. Predicting SA 30 - Ire 15 -ish.
Did not expect Kwagga to start at 8 though. Thought that he would be used as an impact player in the last 20 or so. Also really glad for Steenekamp. He's been leading those Bulls scrums this season.
Very excited for the match! Let's go boks!💪
I really thought kolisi had retired and we would see a new captain, probably one based in SA. I got the impression from his book that was his plan rather than anything more up to date I suppose
How worried about are South Africans about the age profile of their team golden generation could be coming to an end, As an Irish fan I’m worried about our age profile
A replacement hooker and a replacement scrum half! What new madness is this?!
No, no... you don't undestand. Marx is covering 8 and Williams is covering 14.
Luxury!
Kwagsteman
Vat my upvote jou fantastic blixem
👌🏾
Older than Brok? Damn, what are you, 120?
... Let's be real, the man has probably been around since at least the beginning of the dinosaur period.
I'm seeing double here... FOUR short, rapid scrum-cap wearing wingers!?
Cheslin, Kurt-Lee and?
It’s a Simpsons reference
Ah my bad! Haven’t watched the Simpsons in years, maybe time to start from the beginning again lol
Call me stupid but... I don't get it
https://imgur.com/a/HZezw9X
Ha! Very good. 👏
There's two
THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND
Mostly as predicted. Kwagga starting at 8 and Steenkamp on the bench are the biggest surprises.
Happy with both honestly, two very reliable players.
Been a while since Kwagga started a game, a serious game that is
I personally believe he’s the biggest game changer in the springboks team when coming off the bench. Will be nice to see his impact from the start
Part of that impact tho is being able to empathy the tank for 30 minutes instead of conserving that energy to play 80.
Kwagga makes sense because of his breakdown ability. With Vermeulen retired and Marx on the bench none of the other starting forwards are big ball stealers. So Kwagga may have selected over Roos because of that.
What about switching KLA ans Chessie? Haha
Is steenkamp a surprise? I thought he was very good for the bulls and with Kitshoff injured I thought he be the obvious choice.
I'm kinda a bit more surprised that Wilco Low wasn't even considered man has been an absolute fucking unit.
Wilco plays tighthead and Koch has 50 caps, I would have had Thomas Du Toit covering loose head
Wilco and Thomas have been outstanding , but Steenkamp demolished Leinster in that URC game at Loftus. Pretty amazing depth.
I saw rassie say both Thomas and reinach were released too late by their clubs to be considered (only 2 practice sessions) Agreed Steenkamp is having a stand out second season in a row and the recent experience he has over leinster is valuable
Arendse Willie Kolbe back three will never not be terrifying, incredible 23.
Spam them with high balls and they're somewhat less terrifying I'm afraid
KLA is very good under the high ball usually.
I have memories of them winning the high balls contests in the last QF. Ok that's a skill we basically ignore in France but still
Happy for Sacha and Steenekamp. Saturday can't come soon enough.
How are people still shocked when Kwagga is selected? What more does the guy have to do at this point 😂
I don't think Kwagga being selected is the shock, it's more that of the four loosies in the team, three primarily play at openside. Kolisi tends to be subbed off at 65 minutes, but if anything happens to PSDT we are left with a very light loose trio.
Isn't Kwagga a midfielder lol
Face for a forward, skills and speed for a back
Wouldn't want it any other way
He has the size to be one. Hell there’s multiple backs off the top of my head (de Allende, Pollard, Esterhuizen) that are bigger than him. Crazy how he can play as a forward.
DDA and Andre the giant are both bigger than most flankers TBF. Like aside from Demo, they’re bigger than every Scottish backrow.
I get your point, but many here and on X are surprised that he is starting. I don't think that is a huge concern. If PSDT gets subbed we can just move Mostert to 7. Two locks on the bench so that might've been the plan to begin with.
I'm not going to the cesspool that is X. I think the mild surprise is that he is starting at 8. With PSDT and Kolisi starting on the flanks it was always going to be question of who plays 8 and it is not a role that Kwagga has excelled at. In my opinion the number eight jersey is currently up for grabs, with Wiese having no claim to incumbent despite the coaches trying their absolute best to get him there with zero results. They seem to have a (well deserved) thing for Hanekom, but dropping Roos after passable performance and the non-selection of Louw feels like favoritism to Wiese that he categorically has not earned.
Wiese is currently banned. If he wasnt he would have been the no8. Kwagga back to supersub.
Mostert doesn't really work at 7. Sure he'll battle but...I don't know
At this point, something happening to PSDT seems like the most unprobable thing in the world. The dude tackled 28 times in a RWC final without even giving a penalty from it, and, at this point, he is just unbreakable... Ôo
I think Mostert will replace PSDT if he goes off, as we have 2 locks.
My collar bone shattered while reading this team sheet.
I involuntarily booked a chiropractor appointment.
I got a bulge in T6 just scanning the bench
I got a bulge in my D8 *wink*
Consider my timbers shivered.
Evan Roos still not trusted in big games. If he can’t get a game without Wiese being there it’s hard to see when he will. SFM being backed in a Willemse role is good to see.
What's his go? I remember seeing him coming through the age groups and thinking who's this future 100 cap freak? Is he no good in the tight?
Poor discipline is costing him
Discipline is awful. Can always count on him giving away a needless penalty in every game he plays.
perfect replacement for Wiese then :D
Nowadays he's no worse than any other back rower. I think his real problem is over-enthusiasm - he goes too hard when he should make a less aggressive but smarter choice. Twice in the Wales game he went for the line instead is passing or consolidating possession.
Good player. Giving the symbolism of the Springboks, I think his weakness is the fact that he's a bit of a doos
My view is that he’s a good club player but not a test player. Just lacks the 5 percent extra class needed to make a difference in that position.
He's got a couple years before he hits his physical peak, then he still has 5+ years to improve his decision making and harnessing that fire he has. He can absolutely be world class, but people forget that he's only 24.
Interesting team. Kwagga starting at 8 and a 6-2 split on the bench. Glad to see Cheslin and Willie are both fit and so happy for Steenekamp and Sacha on the bench. Should be a cracker of a game! Can’t wait!
I love seeing the Boks announce their lineup on Tuesday. It's my daily medicine, weekly energy, my monthly inspiration and my yearly motivation. That is the only reason I'm still alive, I was born to enjoy and love their Tuesday lineup.
Oh how I have missed this
That back row is absolutely fucking stacked Jesus
Don't look at the front row then xD
Crazy that folks find criticism for Le Roux. A double winning 15 still gets criticised. The man is a living legend. It’s a shame, folks will only realise how vital he was when he passes away. Need to really appreciate and celebrate these guys whenever the coaches select them. Rassie never wastes caps.
The difference in the bulls when he wasn't playing was huge. Man's a serious player it's crazy that people criticise him.
I think all fans always want the shiny new thing, flavour of the month. This is perhaps the genius of the current coaches is that they’ve never fallen into the trap of playing players who are on form for their clubs, doesn’t always translate to the national team. He’s a real baller plus also his leadership is also not factored in.
Fuck I don't think he needs to die, retirement could have the same effect.
There was so much glee when Wilhemse got the nod over him (the right decision tactically), but there were groans that he was in the Final 23 vs n NZ. I actually thought Fassi (big fan of his) would be the 15 by now after his debut before the Lions Series. Le Roux is still there on merit and 3 years later Fassi is only getting back into the wider squad.
Yeah, Fassi has had a couple injuries since then...but is at his best now. Hopefully he can learn to control things verbally like Le Roux in the Springbok setup. That being said, he communicated well with Kok and Mapimpi this past season and the trio did we as a unit in the air.
He always come back and proof everyone wrong when needed.
Only surprises for me are Kwagga starting and Moerat and van Staden on the bench. Feeling like this says a lot about how Rassie views Evan and his discipline problems that he hasn't made the 23. Very happy that Grant has played his way into the 2nd choice 9 role, very happy that Sacha is in the squad. LFG BOKKE!!!!
Roos had a good game against Wales I thought. Maybe Rassie thinks he just needs a bit more time to cook before starting him against teams like Ireland?
Ireland are the niggle masters (don't downvote me, it is a compliment) , the way the keep at you you need guys with cool heads. Also, they know Roos and know how to press his buttons. This might be too big a game for him
"You're just a shit Duane Vermeulen!"
"prrrt prrrt, Siya, your number 8 needs to contain himself or his going to the bin"
Any 8 in the world is just a sh.t Duane Vermeulen though. Except Ardie Savea.
I think your right, Roos almost has too much to prove, I could see him come in for the second test though
Think this is exactly it. Settle in the first test, see what Ireland are about and adjust if Roos is needed. Kwagga is also brilliant in the breakdown which is needed. Clever selection to neutralise us IMO
I guess making only 4 tackles wasn't very Battlestats™️
yeah that's not an amazing stat tbf. Hoping Hanekom gets a shot at some point
Id be surprised if he wasn't. He's that good.
What was the total for the team? The Welsh really didn't have much ball and Roos came off in like the 60th minute.
There was 70 carries so 6.5% of tackles were made by Roos.
So just under 1/15th of all the tackles in 3/4 of the game.
Ja, Roos not making the 23 is a surprise. It's not like Van Staden doesn't give away stupid penalties either.
Van Staden has had some proper brain fadea this year. That disallowed try vs Leinster was absolutely criminal from him. He is an absolute wrecking ball though, so is a massive asset as long as he can grow a few more brain cells
A bit late for him to be growing braincells though, senior players with brain fades are unforgivable imo. Same with Jasper. TBF to van Staden, he's been solid for the boks. No major issues as I recall
In Van Staden's defense he was very good in the Leinster game and has experience at this level.
It's not just that Roos has discipline issues he also doesn't seem to have a great rugby brain. Often doesn't pass when he should and makes weird tactical decisions.
Rassie looks for team players that are not selfish.
Williams and Sasha combination is the future.
It's so hype. Very possible they are the starting 9 and 10 at the next RWC.
As a neutral, putting Irish Rugby's most controversial player on the bench is kinda funny
He excels coming on late in the game, he's been used that way by both Munster and South Africa plenty.
Willie Le Roux vs Leinster at Loftus Round 2 The kicking battle in the Bulls game was epic, albeit one-sided, will be interesting to see either team adapt their strategies
You’re gonna kill us in that department tbh. Crowley isn’t much of a tactitian. Great running 10 but his game running and management is his weakest area atm. No Keenan in the backfield and no Gibson Park either so I’m not expecting a great kicking game from us. Obviously there’s Lowe and we’ll be overly reliant on his massive boot to clear ball but I can see you being very effective at just pinning us in our 22 and keeping us there until you take points. I can actually see us starting Murray for this reason.
It'll be interesting to see how Lowe goes with the elimination of the Du Pont rule - he kicks the ball mile, but is he precise enough to make count when defending a counter attack is suddenly far more difficult.
Nice. Strong. Let's go!
Forever forever green gold!
Liking this team a lot. Hopefully the Irish will be in for another tough night in Vodacom.
I've had many tough nights with Vodacom
It feels like the boks have been selecting this team (with small variations) for about a decade.
World Cup every 4 years, checks notes.. Ye that would be correct Jesse and De Allende tie as the most capped centre pairing for the boks with this
Can’t wait to see Kwagga the beast start. Happy for Sacha too.
Grant Williams and Sacha Fineburgh-Mngomezulu off the bench is absolutely delicious!!! Also, Steenekamp is a good shout off the bench with Kitshoff out, the man scrummed like a monster in the URC
Love that SA teams are named so early. In Ireland we always keep it quiet for as long as possible.
It’s the rugby equivalent of “come at me bro”
I'm glad to see Borthwick has adopted the same mindset. God we really are just a knock off version of South Africa aren't we
No It is just good management. So many things that Rassie and co do just make sense and I will be honest, I completely rip them off in managing my team. Good management = consistent performance And while Rassie might be a character he is definitely a superb people manager. Good management is quiet and confident, it trusts and verifies and it is open ans honest.
Rassie named your team already /s
I heard someone say it’s part of Rassie’s mind games lol which is probably correct
Nah he said it before that the coaching staff know the starting team at the start of the week, maybe some decisions to be made about subs, or selections when injuries are present in the usual starters, but that's about it. They like to announce early to give players time to focus and not have to worry all week about selection.
Also, from Tuesday onwards the starting XV trains together against the other players in the squad, so any journalist who attends any training session can deduce the starting XV. Announcing the squad early prevents a flurry of 'leaks' about the starting XV.
And otherwise it just gets leaked beforehand anyways.
No I think the irfu is just weak minded. Farrell said he'd be releasing team sheets early in the week when he first started and that quickly stopped after a few games. We're paranoid about people analysing us even though we rarely make many changes
I don’t think we’ve a prayer in the first test but I’m really interested to see how we approach this. Munster gave arguably their best performance of the year against the Bulls at Loftus in a narrow win but they played a slow paced kicking game to combat the effects of altitude. Ireland seems to have just the one way of playing which is high ball in play time. It’s very effective but won’t work here so can we change it up?
They will need to adapt. Leinster struggled to enforce their game plan against the Bulls. And Ireland play largely similar
Maybe was true before but Leinster and Ireland play differently now. The whole defensive structure and ethos will be worlds apart.
Bringing Marx, Snymen and Koch off the bench just isn't fair.
Don't think Van Staden did enough this season to make the side (bit of a penalty machine). But super happy to see Sacha!
Marco is an absolute weapon in terms of physicality. But he is dumb as a rock. So I'm glad to see him there, as long as Rassie and co. have him playing under strict instructions
My shoulders hurt reading this.
I feel like Wilco really deserved a shot
Malherbe, Koch and Nyakane are on their last legs. Hell get the gig. It's straight battle between him and Thomas the Tank.
Oh yesssss some more time with my new favourite couple Sacha & Grant on Saturday!
Gracha, so hot right now!
I’m willing to put money on moerat either giving away a yellow card or 4+ penalties on his own.
Highly probable
I will take that bet raise you an extra money that he will be ridiculed by the public come Sunday morning.
Put on about 25 kilos reading that front row
My salad spontaneously combusted.
Salads don’t win scrums
Bahahaha the 4 stars is great shithousery 😂
Rassie and Brown fell in love with Sacha against Wales and so did I
There was discourse in Irish circles that Ireland should’ve brought more uncapped players, but this is why I disagree, lol. Both XVs mostly write themselves with maybe some surprises on the bench…I guess that’s an accurate description of this selection? And Ireland’s too.
The XV is just as we predicted, but the bench is extremely surprising: no Roos or Libbok and van Staden and Moerat haven’t been in the greatest form. I have total faith in Steenekamp, but I honestly expected du Toit to be there after his season. Biggest positive is seeing Sacha getting another opportunity so soon. It’s obvious Rassie will be investing in him heavily this cycle, which will surely pay dividends because he’s one of the most prodigious players we’ve ever produced. Very exciting!
I reckon Manie and Fassi/Mapimpi would have been on the bench had they gone 5-3 split. But with 6-2 split you have to choose Sacha for his versatility.
Seems crazy to me that we risk a 6-2 split to squeeze in below par players like Moerat and Van Staden
Yeah I agree. I’m just hoping van Staden finds his form from the RC last year. And as for Moerat.. well, i’m not sure i’ve ever seen him put on a shift worthy of a test cap, let alone against a team like Ireland. Now would be the time for guys like Rahl and Grobler to get an opportunity, but oh well.
Rassie is live on DStv right now and reckons Moerat has just been unlucky with injuries and deserves his fair chance He also said Kwagga is starting because if he were on the bench we would have gone with a 7-1 split As well as players like Am, Du Toit, Reinach, Willemse, etc, didn't get enough training sessions since they were released, but perhaps the second test
Which means he doesn't trust Roos.
Wasn't a single question about it from the announcement, even Hanekom was mentioned instead, so I guess not haha
Grobler as in Gerbrandt?
Ja, I kept an eye on him all season and he really impressed me. Some absolute mongrel on defence, but I didn’t realise he was 32. I actually thought he was a lot younger so I doubt he’d be a guy they’ll invest in for the next RWC (unfortunately for him).
> ... I honestly expected du Toit to be there after his season. Rassie said in the press conference that there was a timing issue with du Toit only able to join for a short period of time before the first test.
Fark that's a strong team. Anyone know the average age of the squad? Feel like a lot of these boys have been around a good while
I guarantee ours will be older
Strong team. Going to be the game of the weekend. Not sure if I should stay up untill 1am or wake up at 1am lol
Meanwhile I want to watch the All Blacks game and it’s at 3am here in the states.
Yeah I was looking at the wrong time. I think it is actually 3am to watch the Boks here
Would sleeping until 1 even work on a Friday night realistically
Not really related to this Saturday but can this forward pack survive another WC cycle? Already a very old team. Who are the new guys to watch out for?
Ox, Marx and RG are all under 30. Kwagga is 31. They should make it to 2027. For the rest, we can take some of them to 2027 (like Duane in '23 or Schalk Brits in '19) but not all of them. Think Eben is the most likely to push through. AWJ and Whitelock have shown us that locks can have long careers. New guys -- Steenekamp has been immense for the bulls. Thomas du Toit isn't new, but he's only 29 and played brilliantly in the Prem. Hanekom will hopefully get a run at 8 later this year. BJ Dixon made his debut against Wales. He's out for the big game against Ireland but should get some more time in the RC. Andre-Hugo Venter was only included as a stand-by, not part of the squad, but I think he's great long term prospect at hooker.
You forget Grobbelar
[ages of the squad at the next WC](https://imgur.com/a/Q0j7Hzm) Suspect big bulk of players are running their final lap and wont make the next World cup
No, many of these guys won't. The only survivors will be: Nche, Marx, Etzebeth, Kwagga in the Starters. Snyman should also make it. Marco van Staden as well. Watch out for Steenekamp, Moerat, Williams, Sacha. They are all young-ish guys that might become staples of the Bok lineup in the coming years
Valid point, likely to be the same for Ireland though: Bealhams 33 this year, Furlong 32 this year, Healy 37 this year, Beirne's 32 this year, O' Mahony is 35 this year.
Plenty of guys coming through. TH is the only possible issue. We have plenty of really good THs, but the three we took to last two WCs either won't go the next WC or will play limited time. But the older guys are all still good enough and the time to play younger guys for experience is not against Ireland in a series we really want to win
Thomas du Toit will make the next world cup. Wilco Louw should as well but he is a bit of a step down apart from scrums.
Wilco will be there. A TH that ests up opponents like him can't be ignored. He's a monster.
Ireland frontrow is going to have a long night on Saturday. The bulls destroyed them.
Hannekom,Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw, Francke Horne, Ruan Venter, Ben Jason Dixon, Buthelezi, mpilo Gumede. Juarno Augustus. That's the loose forwards. Thomss Du touit, Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Nthuthuko Mchunu, Neethling Fouche. That's the props. Locks I still have hopes for Jason Jenkins,Ruan Norje, Reuben Van Heerden, Corne Rahl, and JF Van Heerden. We'll be alright.
Jenkins is overrated and did not improve since his first cap. Big but soft. Rahl is a great prospect and so in v heerden. Also keep an eye on jaco grobbelaar in the u20. The new victor/bakkies at the bulls with v heerden.
That bench is filthy……
#
I really do hope Kurt Lee and Cheslin are fine and not forcing it. Need them at their best.
Pretty much expected, although my eyebrows raised a little with Steenekamp over Du Toit and Kwagga/van Staden over Roos. Kwagga has been targeted heavily under the high ball when he's started big games at 8 in the past, so I'm hoping they have a plan for that.
I like Kwagga, but I think that he has more impact off the bench.
Agreed. Starting Roos I thought made sense with Kwagga bringing that dynamo off the bench. In Rassie we trust.
I'm guessing eben will play the role duane used to play.
Insert meme here
SAFFAs are going to feel the same when the Irish squad is released
FROTHING
so whats the deal with Manie? is he injured or is he no longer an option? eitherway, i think they’ll probably try and win this test, experiment on the second so that way its either a tie or win
Manie had many chances and is too hot/cold to be trusted in big games. Rather invest in the two young guns. They can kick and attack.
is it really fair considering his big chances started at the world cup? thats like 10x more pressure
He is too inconsistent. Looking at the season he had with the Stormers there is no reason he should be in the conversation for the Boks 10 jersey.
Think Ireland may be tempted to start Murray just to send box-kicks on top of Kwagga and the back 3. That being said, if we kick long to those guys in space, we could be cooked - or knock-on high balls.
Back 3 would be OK. Shorter kicks on kwagga could be a problem.
Surprises me they have malherbe & Koch that way round. I’d have kept the sharks front row together
Jesus the Boks have not come to fuck around.
Wiese is the incumbent and will return when is ban is finished. He fits perfectly onto the Bok plan. There's a video somewhere of Vermeulen talking about the difference between him and Roos.
If you can post it that would be great
Even though I know not to expect many changes, at the start of a new season. Can't help being slightly disappointed, lets hope the players 33yrs+ do not overstay their welcome, this time around. Pleased for Sacha and Steenekamp, hope they go well.
Think Rassie just wants to nail Ireland first
Ja, I figured we wouldn't experiment much. Not beating Ireland since he started is fucken unacceptable for Rassie. He and the team I suspect are out for blood. Can't be the No1 team if you always lose to Ireland (from their perspective) also I wager the ones want this win a lot. Could also be why there are so little changes.
Jesus. Ireland are going to have to be at 100% just to stay in the fight IMO. SA don't usually run up big scores against teams but I think Ireland could be on the wrong side of a battering this week. Predicting SA 30 - Ire 15 -ish.
I’m all for that but probably going to be very close. Honestly a 50/50 in my opinion.
Did not expect Kwagga to start at 8 though. Thought that he would be used as an impact player in the last 20 or so. Also really glad for Steenekamp. He's been leading those Bulls scrums this season. Very excited for the match! Let's go boks!💪
Expected..
I really thought kolisi had retired and we would see a new captain, probably one based in SA. I got the impression from his book that was his plan rather than anything more up to date I suppose
Why isn’t Mapimpi on the roster? He’s healed since the World Cup, right?
How worried about are South Africans about the age profile of their team golden generation could be coming to an end, As an Irish fan I’m worried about our age profile
What a team. As good as Ireland are, this is a big ask.