Springbokke vs Georgia

[assfly]

With our issues at lock, I wonder if we'll see a PSdT / Eben partnership for the second test.

Fees up the 7 jersey where I think we've got some depth to cover it.

I wonder if Wiese or DdP will have a chance in the 8 jersey.

[Blake]

With our issues at lock, I wonder if we'll see a PSdT / Eben partnership for the second test.

Fees up the 7 jersey where I think we've got some depth to cover it.

I wonder if Wiese or DdP will have a chance in the 8 jersey.

Lock is a massive concern right now. Crazy how quickly our biggest strength turned into a real problem. Our 4 top locks are excellent, but beyond that the quality at international level is quite an unknown.
I would be very hesitant moving PSdT to lock right now. Tying him up in the tight five is basically the same as leaving him out of the team. His role in the team and responsibilities in the match will have to change completely and we need him to do what he does.

I hope that for the next Georgia test Nienaber loads the forwards with all the possible locks among the starters and bench (while resting Eben, Mostert and PSdT). So NJVR, Orie, Jean-Luc du Preez and fuck it, give Rynhardt Elstadt one last chance to prove he has something to offer. Give Wiese and Dan du Preez a half each at #8 with Kolisi and Van Staden in tandem at flank. That's a 6-2 bomb squad.

The 2 backs on the bench can be:
- a scrumhalf (Jantjies or maybe Faf if we want to be brave and risk him)
- a utility back Willemse or Frans...depending on who starts at 12

[Cartman]

We need to play our starting team next week if you ask me.
They need game time together and fast.

[OomStruisbaai]

We need to play our starting team next week if you ask me.
They need game time together and fast.

Pretty sure the coaches know what they are doing. No need to risk Kitshoff, Bongi, Malherbe, PSdT, Pollard & Willie. They look ready for the BILs,

[boere wors]

and then have the fanbooi's telling us how physical he is. Hitting rucks like a monster.

https://t.co/9qGRS3tLOt

Haters gonna hate. I'm no fan of Willemse, and yes it was only Georgia, but he put in a good shift and made virtually no errors. Probably is his outing ever in a Bok jersey.

In contrast, I'm a massive Frans Steyn fan, and he was terrible out there. Slow, ponderous, ineffective in contact. I'm seriously doubting if he is the right man and if this Lions campaign is maybe a bridge too far for him. His last outing in the Cheetahs exhibition match was also terrible. He looks way off the pace.

If the rationale of having Frans on the bench is that he can cover 10, 12 and 15...but is isn't really doing any of that well at the moment...then we might as well have Willlemse that can also cover those 3 positions. As far as I can tell, the only advantage Steyn has over Willemse is his kicking boot (which is a massive advantage), but Willemse has showin him up on speed, workrate, defense, midfield running, and not losing the ball in contact.

Spot on!

[assfly]

Lood has tested positive.

Team in isolation.

[boere wors]

To add to our concerns at lock, Lood de Jager has returned a positive Covid test. Apparently the squad is in isolation now, no training today.
Jean Luc du Preez has been playing at lock lately for Sale Sharks and has been playing well, would consider him as first backup for our 4 RWC locks.

[assfly]

This could turn into a disaster.

Lood must have returned negative tests to be allowed into the camp, but now he's been mixing with other players it could be bad. Have the Boks been vaccinated?

Might end up having to call on players from outside the squad to join a separate Bok squad. Especially if they have to self-isolate.

[Sards]

This could turn into a disaster.

Lood must have returned negative tests to be allowed into the camp, but now he's been mixing with other players it could be bad. Have the Boks been vaccinated?

Might end up having to call on players from outside the squad to join a separate Bok squad. Especially if they have to self-isolate.

F uck Covid

[Blake]

Lood has tested positive.

Team in isolation.

Jesus Christ. What a clusterfuck.

What's the point in testing if the players don't isolate BEFORE the results come back? It's not rocket science people.
Hopefully it's another false positive like it was for Herschel, otherwise I dunno. Who the hell is going to play against Georgia?

Ironically, I'm pretty sure the only vaccinated players will be the overseas ones.

[sorCrer]

Lood has tested positive.

Team in isolation.

Jesus Christ. What a clusterfuck.

What's the point in testing if the players don't isolate BEFORE the results come back? It's not rocket science people.
Hopefully it's another false positive like it was for Herschel, otherwise I dunno. Who the hell is going to play against Georgia?

Ironically, I'm pretty sure the only vaccinated players will be the overseas ones.

They'll likely all be vaccinated.

[ia801310]

I understand that both teams are vaccinated. Vaccines don't necessarily stop you getting covid but stop you getting really sick.

Don't think it will jeopardise the series, best to get these issues out of the way now than having them turn up a few days before the Tests.

Also their quarantine period appears to be super-short. Herschel Jantjies had covid on the 28th June and and was playing by the 2nd July.

[Blake]

I understand that both teams are vaccinated. Vaccines don't necessarily stop you getting covid but stop you getting really sick.

Don't think it will jeopardise the series, best to get these issues out of the way now than having them turn up a few days before the Tests.

Also their quarantine period appears to be super-short. Herschel Jantjies had covid on the 28th June and and was playing by the 2nd July.

Jantjies’ test first rapid test was ‘n false positive. His subsequent tests came back negative, hence him playing.

Nkosi is still isolating, which is why Fassi got a cap against Georgia.

[Sards]

Nkosi is still isolating, which is why Fassi got a cap against Georgia.

And a well deserved performance from Fassi it was....with the groundswell of support the youngster is getting it will be hard for Rassie not to show more of him......

[Blake]

Nkosi is still isolating, which is why Fassi got a cap against Georgia.

And a well deserved performance from Fassi it was....with the groundswell of support the youngster is getting it will be hard for Rassie not to show more of him......

FAP FAP FAP

[sorCrer]

Nkosi is still isolating, which is why Fassi got a cap against Georgia.

And a well deserved performance from Fassi it was....with the groundswell of support the youngster is getting it will be hard for Rassie not to show more of him......

It was OK to good. Try was very well taken. Some of the positioning on defence was ordinary. 6.589/10. Could do better. Not at Elite level yet.

[handyman]

Nkosi is still isolating, which is why Fassi got a cap against Georgia.

And a well deserved performance from Fassi it was....with the groundswell of support the youngster is getting it will be hard for Rassie not to show more of him......

It was OK to good. Try was very well taken. Some of the positioning on defence was ordinary. 6.589/10. Could do better. Not at Elite level yet.

Ahem.

[Sards]

Nkosi is still isolating, which is why Fassi got a cap against Georgia.

And a well deserved performance from Fassi it was....with the groundswell of support the youngster is getting it will be hard for Rassie not to show more of him......

FAP FAP FAP

Is it too much to acknowledge a very good performance. Seriously.

[average joe]

We've been down this road with you too many times Sards. I remember when you were talking up Zeilinga. How funny that turned out? I laughed so much my tummy ached.

[assfly]

Positive cases in Georgia team too. This game ain't happening.

[Big Nipper]

11 positive cases in the SA squad

This tour is fucked, pull the plug now before it becomes even more of a farce

[Chilli]

Had they of housed everyone at Sun City in a bubble as suggested.

[assfly]

I think at this rate all you need to play for the Springboks is a heartbeat and a negative covid test result.

[Chilli]

I think at this rate all you need to play for the Springboks is a heartbeat and a negative covid test result.

Do you have Rassie's number?

[Sards]

We've been down this road with you too many times Sards. I remember when you were talking up Zeilinga. How funny that turned out? I laughed so much my tummy ached.

Whatever. That lad is a thorough bred racehorse. Can't take that away from him. When he touches the ball its excitement time....that po..s Willemse could have put him away for a try near the end but turned away from Fassi and tried to twinkle toe his way and got tagged.
Race horse vs carthorse

[assfly]

I think at this rate all you need to play for the Springboks is a heartbeat and a negative covid test result.

Do you have Rassie's number?

I'd be on the phone to the Cheetahs coach. Test them all today and get them ready for Saturday.

[Chilli]

I think at this rate all you need to play for the Springboks is a heartbeat and a negative covid test result.

Do you have Rassie's number?

I'd be on the phone to the Cheetahs coach. Test them all today and get them ready for Saturday.

I'm a little worried that all of this walking that I am doing will make me loose the weight advantage in the scrum.
Should I just stop the walking?

[Paddington Bear]

11 positive cases in the SA squad

This tour is fucked, pull the plug now before it becomes even more of a farce

Was always the most likely outcome. Lions behind closed doors is a bit shit, whole series feels a bit meh.

[assfly]

I'm a little worried that all of this walking that I am doing will make me loose the weight advantage in the scrum.
Should I just stop the walking?

Walk and eat. You will be ready by Saturday.

[Chilli]

I'm a little worried that all of this walking that I am doing will make me loose the weight advantage in the scrum.
Should I just stop the walking?

Walk and eat. You will be ready by Saturday.

I'll eat donuts while walking. I can string them around my neck

[assfly]

I'll eat donuts while walking. I can string them around my neck

Wear a bib to catch the filling as it melts.

[Chilli]

I'll eat donuts while walking. I can string them around my neck

Wear a bib to catch the filling as it melts.

Thanks Coach!

[OomStruisbaai]

2nd test cancelled.

[Chilli]

2nd test cancelled.

Shit.
Now I'll never play for the Boks

[boere wors]

2nd test cancelled.

Ah crap, what a mess it has become...

[assfly]

Another great analysis.

Very interesting take on Duane. Never noticed it before.

[boere wors]

Another great analysis.

Very interesting take on Duane. Never noticed it before.

Outstanding, me neither. Bokke looking good. Thx for posting.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sad news
R365

GEORGIA COACH IN 'SEVERE CONDITION' AFTER COVID SETBACK
AAP NewsAAP NEWS
Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili is in severe condition in a Johannesburg hospital, after testing positive for COVID-19, the Georgia Rugby Union confirmed on Saturday.

Maisashvili and five other members of the squad tested positive after their July 2 Test against South Africa in Pretoria – leading to the cancellation of the second Test in Johannesburg, as well as a planned July 17 game in Tbilisi against Scotland.

“We got several COVID cases, just after the match in Pretoria, including Georgia’s coach Levan Maisashvili, who is currently hospitalised with serious lung damage and is on artificial respiration,” Georgia Rugby said in a statement to Reuters.

“Everything is being done to improve Levan Maisashvili’s condition. He has been moved to one of South Africa’s top-level clinics, which is equipped with the most up-to-date medical equipment to manage COVID patients.

“The rest of the team has already returned to Georgia while Levan and the team doctor will stay in South Africa for as long as needed.

“Five more COVID-positive team members are finishing their recovery and will leave for Georgia on Sunday,” Georgia Rugby said.

[Sandstorm]

That’s awful. Hope he pulls through.

[Chilli]

Lets hope that he recovers and gets back to full health.