Springbok squad for end of year tour

[Ou grote]

I also like Pieterson but the problem is that one good season should not warrent a free pass to the Bok team. Also he has little s14 exp at fullback as I remember because he was mostly played from the bench and then as winger.

If Joe does however show in the S14 2010 season that he can keep performing well I would include him in the Bok sqaud.

Joe will probably play in the WC, but some coaches won't pick him.
Look what happened to Brent Russell, very similar players.

 

[APoc184]

I also like Pieterson but the problem is that one good season should not warrent a free pass to the Bok team. Also he has little s14 exp at fullback as I remember because he was mostly played from the bench and then as winger.

If Joe does however show in the S14 2010 season that he can keep performing well I would include him in the Bok sqaud.

Riaan Viljoen going along for the dirt trackers also has minimum experience.

But the thing is, we will always find fault with the team selection and some players. I am just going to support the team 100% on Friday night.

My prediction is Boks by less than 10. Brussow having another monster game, proving to Pdivvy that he was insane to even think about playing him from the bench.

 

[APoc184]

Joe will probably play in the WC, but some coaches won't pick him.
Look what happened to Brent Russell, very similar players.

They are screwing around with Ruan Pienaar now, the same way they did with Russel. It does your confidence no good. Put the guy back at scrumhalf and let him stay there.

 

[Devill]

Joe will probably play in the WC, but some coaches won't pick him.
Look what happened to Brent Russell, very similar players.

Except Joe defends better on top of being able to kick pretty well

Riaan Viljoen going along for the dirt trackers also has minimum experience.

But the thing is, we will always find fault with the team selection and some players. I am just going to support the team 100% on Friday night.

My prediction is Boks by less than 10. Brussow having another monster game, proving to Pdivvy that he was insane to even think about playing him from the bench.

See the difference is we actually have some good choices for full back.

If Morne is injured who will be his follow up flyhalf for the boks? Think PDV was clever enough to bring another flyhalf with to introduce him to the structures etc etc

They are screwing around with Ruan Pienaar now, the same way they did with Russel. It does your confidence no good. Put the guy back at scrumhalf and let him stay there.

I still say play him on the bench. He could cover for morne if he was to be injured and he can liven up the last 15 mins with his great darts around the scrums.

 

[Ou grote]

Except Joe defends better on top of being able to kick pretty well
...

He tackles the big guys around the ankles and brings them down the earth quickly.
Always impressive.

 

[APoc184]

He tackles the big guys around the ankles and brings them down the earth quickly.
Always impressive.

Very nice indeed, Gio Aplon also tackles very good for a guy his size.

But textbook tackles = Robert Ebersohn

 

[Devill]

Very nice indeed, Gio Aplon also tackles very good for a guy his size.

But textbook tackles = Robert Ebersohn

Schalk burger on Fourie du preez

 

[APoc184]

Schalk burger on Fourie du preez

Haha. That was beautiful. Still watch it every now and then on the PVR.

 

[replicant]

I think Zane will be solid he gets better in every game and I like seeing that in a player. My concern is with Adi Jacobs.

 

[Devill]

I think Zane will be solid he gets better in every game and I like seeing that in a player. My concern is with Adi Jacobs.

+1.

He looked very out of form in the last game that he played. I would love to see Olivier on inside and Fourie on outside centre.

 

[LancelotSA]

Remember SA A team versus the SA B team tonight!

Or should that be SA B versus SA C... as most are in agreement that the midweek team is not the second best!

The fact we have so many South African players in the Saracens team could well add to the intensity of tonight's game. They be wanting to prove a point.

Bok team for tonight's match

15 Earl Rose
14 Odwa Ndungane
13 Juan de Jongh
12 Wynand Olivier
11 Jongi Nokwe
10 Ruan Pienaar
9 Heini Adams
8 Ashley Johnson
7 Dewald Potgieter (captain)
6 Jean Deysel
5 Andries Bekker
4 Danie Rossouw
3 CJ van der Linde
2 Adriaan Strauss
1 Wian du Preez

Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 François Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

Saracens team for tonight's match - South African players in bold

15 Michael Horak
14 Noah Cato
13 Kameli Ratuvou
12 Brad Barritt
11 Michael Tagicakibau
10 Derick Hougaard
9 Neil de Kock
8 Ernst Joubert
7 Justin Melck
6 Wikus van Heerden (c)
5 Hugh Vyvyan
4 Mouritz Botha
3 Richard Skuse
2 Ethienne Reynecke
1 Rhys Gill

Subs: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Carlos Nieto, 18 George Kruis, 19 Andy Saull, 20 Kevin Barrett, 21 Alex Goode, 22 Rodd Penney.

 

[The_Techie]

Looking forward to the game.

Go Bokke!

 

[LancelotSA]

Looking forward to the game.

Go Bokke!

That front row looks a LOT stronger!

 

[sand_man]

Isn't Brendan Venter the Saracens coach?

I find it hugely disappointing to see how many Saffers are plying their trade in Europe.

They fully entitled to but would be nice if they still played locally.

Can anyone name all the players playing in Europe?

Off the top of my head...

Jean De Villiers, Francois Steyn, Michael Claasens, Shaun Sowerby, Peter Dixon, Gary Botha, Burger (former free state winger/fullback), CJ Van Der Linde, Joe Van Niekerk, Ollie Le Roux, Gaffie Du Toit (although he is back and playing for some arb province)...

Who else? Must be 20+ more I haven't mentioned

 

[sand_man]

That front row looks a LOT stronger!

Yes it does!!!!

Let's hope the pack fires tonight!!!

They were woeful against Leicester!!! Totally outgunned!!! They must hunt as a pack!!! There was no cohesion against Leicester, to be expected considering all the new combinations. Hopefully after a week together their play will be more structured and synchronized...

EDIT: Got to say the back line leaves much to be desired!!!! Ruan should start at 9, Rose at 10 but Heini's not international class and it kills me to see Ruan playing at 10. Ruan can dominate at 9 but instead he'll continue to be under pressure at 10 further exasperated by questionable service he is lightly to get from Heini..

 

[LancelotSA]

Can anyone name all the players playing in Europe?

Who else? Must be 20+ more I haven't mentioned

See the Saracens team list above with more SA players in bold.

it kills me to see Ruan playing at 10. Ruan can dominate at 9 but instead he'll continue to be under pressure at 10 further exasperated by questionable service he is lightly to get from Heini..

Obviously I don't agree with you here except for the point that his performance is affected by the player on his inside. A scrumhalf, as well as the performance of the pack, can make or break a flyhalf's game. This is why I preferred not to get involved when the Ruan vs Morne thread was rehashed by some individuals after last week's game. The pack was atrocious and the scrumhalf play was average....

 

[sand_man]

See the Saracens team list above with more SA players in bold.

Naturally, but in addition to those players?

Obviously I don't agree with you here except for the point that his performance is affected by the player on his inside. A scrumhalf, as well as the performance of the pack, can make or break a flyhalf's game. This is why I preferred not to get involved when the Ruan vs Morne thread was rehashed by some individuals after last week's game. The pack was atrocious and the scrumhalf play was average....

Agreed. But surely you agree he is a better scrumhalf then he is a flyhalf?!! And better yet, how much better is he then Heini?

He is worlds ahead of Heini so his selection at 10, IMHO, is a double edged sword cause you handicapping Ruan not playing him in his most proficient position and you including a player at 9 who is out of his depth.

 

[The_Techie]

Agreed. But surely you agree he is a better scrumhalf then he is a flyhalf?!! And better yet, how much better is he then Heini?

He is worlds ahead of Heini

Agreed on both counts.

 

[LancelotSA]

Agreed. But surely you agree he is a better scrumhalf then he is a flyhalf?!! And better yet, how much better is he then Heini?

He is worlds ahead of Heini so his selection at 10, IMHO, is a double edged sword cause you handicapping Ruan not playing him in his most proficient position and you including a player at 9 who is out of his depth.

This is true but then again he suffers an "ailment" suffered by plenty of extremely talented SA players before. Because of his abilities and versatilities he is moved around and used where needed. This is of course unfair on him.

He is obviously being thought of as the second best flyhalf in SA at the moment... which says a lot for his abilities as it is a position he has hardly played.

 

[sand_man]

Reasonably good 1st half...

Boys playing with a bit of passion tonight although still lacking cohesion. Heini doing reasonably well, a few effective darting runs but still prefer to see Ruan at 9..

Saracens don't look like they want to win!!! Some stupid errors, Derricks kickings been atrocious... So bad I get the impression he's throwing the match!!