Springbok squad for end of year tour

[LancelotSA]

Ok, that game actually made me feel good.

PdV is clearly using this tour to try various things. And in my view that is exactly what this end of year tour should be about. We have this tendency to want to win at all costs, which is probably fair, but then the coaches tend to just keep using the tried and tested without trying new things.

We are blooding new players. We are trying new combinations. And then at the end we had a glimpse of what our future front row could look like going forward.

Well done Boks.

 

[Morgoth]

that game didn't feel very entertaining, good job to the boys though.

 

[Zyzzyva]

That game was rubbish right up until john shifted ,and Bj and the beast took their respective positions. Even with their poor body positions before the hit, our scrum looked much better. Our lethargic backs also began to smile again.

Best moment in a long time.

 

[Morgoth]

well I do agree with the supersport commentators, our guys are burned out.

 

[Zyzzyva]

well I do agree with the supersport commentators, our guys are burned out.

Our guys need some R&R, next year is gonna be alot tougher than this year. The All Blacks will be stronger, and the Aussies will be further along in their rebuilding phase.

We have the cattle, they just don't have energy.

 

[Morgoth]

well, at the moment they have 2 weeks of rest before super14 starts, I am not convinced that we will have such a great year next year as we did this year.

 

[silent_shadow]

So is the John Smit at tighthead experiment over now?

 

[LancelotSA]

I think it is a great position to be in. John has now had experience at tight head. He can now play the part of a utility forward. Lose a prop and he can shift in. It has also given him added scrummaging strength if/when he does play hooker.

 

[Morgoth]

the question should be asked though if John smith is really good enough to be there at the moment, his a great captain but I am not convinced that he is the best in his position.

 

[LancelotSA]

the question should be asked though if John smith is really good enough to be there at the moment, his a great captain but I am not convinced that he is the best in his position.

John Smith should never be a Springbok! A player needs to at least play provincial rugby before becoming a Bok!

 

[Creag]

Anybody watch the intro for the Scotland v Australia game at Murrayfield? Something different. Just it stirs the Scots into a frenzy, and of course a groot klap for the sheep sh@ggers

 

[Creag]

John Smith should never be a Springbok! A player needs to at least play provincial rugby before becoming a Bok!

LOL!

 

[Creag]

Quite a game against Italy. Was a little worried when the started pushing our pack around, but good to see BJ, Beast and Smit, and the rest of the scrum come good. This certainly gives hope for the remainder of the tour.

I was quite impressed with Italy, though. It would be nice to see them do well in international rugby. They have great passion and pride. Go Nick Mallet!

 

[silent_shadow]

Smit just shouldn't have moved to tighthead in the first place. Considering he's played a hooker for the rest of his professional career he did relatively well there. But the tighthead is the fulcrum of the scrum and you can't just stick anyone there. Smit's good enough to be first choice hooker and that should be his position.

About the game Jacobs didn't cover himself in glory. He did nothing on attack and his defense was poor and at fault for the second try.
Bakkies was also anonymous, we were surprisingly better with Matfield and Bekker as our lock combo. We didn't seem to miss Bakkies' physicality like I thought we would and we were better at lineout time.

Brussow and du Preez were brilliant like they always are and Fourie played well. But he really doesn't click with Jacobs.
Brussow is easily my favourite player right now, I think if he stays injury-free he'll be a bok great in the future.

 

[Zyzzyva]

Can't believe Scotland beat Australia.

 

[silent_shadow]

Can't believe Scotland beat Australia.

That was a great match. Loved Giteau missing a relatively easy conversion to win the game!

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

two shockers in a row Steyn ....... hmmm. I also think Jacobs has been given enough chances now and needs to be replaced. Kirchner is also not living up to anything. Rest of the guys had decent game but I agree Smit should go back to hooker .... maybe make Bissie a prop

Brussouw .... man, that chap just plays his heart out week after week, what a player. Kanko was also a bit better .... and Deysel did the job.

 

[LancelotSA]

two shockers in a row Steyn .......

Yip, and not one person has dug up the Morne vs Ruan thread. I wonder why?

From Rugby365 for the Italian game:

10 Morné Steyn:
Hesitant throughout the game, with his kicking game not what we have come to expect of him. He is still well off his game.
4/10

From Rugby365 for the French game :

10 Morné Steyn:
His worst game in the Bok jersey - a right royal mare. Kicked directly into touch, kicking too deep and then a yellow card for tripping.
3/10

Oh, I see why things have been so quiet now...

 

[sand_man]

PDV had better start with BJ, Smit and Beast against Ireland, Victor and Bakkies to complete the tight 5. 9,10,12 have to be the Bulls combo!!! We stand a very good chance, IMHO, of winning if the combinations are right. Loose trio of Danie, Kanko and Brussouw worked better than I thought it would. Still think Danie is too slow for 7 but with Kanko burning up the turf followed closely by Heinrich there is a balance of pace and power...

Smit has been exposed at prop to the same extent Ruan's been exposed at 10. Bottom line select test players at their specialist positions regardless of who it means you might have to bench or leave out of the starting XV...

 

[Zenbaas]

PDV had better start with BJ, Smit and Beast against Ireland, Victor and Bakkies to complete the tight 5. 9,10,12 have to be the Bulls combo!!! We stand a very good chance, IMHO, of winning if the combinations are right. Loose trio of Danie, Kanko and Brussouw worked better than I thought it would. Still think Danie is too slow for 7 but with Kanko burning up the turf followed closely by Heinrich there is a balance of pace and power...

Smit has been exposed at prop to the same extent Ruan's been exposed at 10. Bottom line select test players at their specialist positions regardless of who it means you might have to bench or leave out of the starting XV...

+1. I still find Danie quite though.