Official United Rugby Championship thread

[handyman]

Clicking when shipping more than 50 points

[OomStruisbaai]

The $harks don't have the luxury of depth to rest our stars.

The only player I'd think of giving a bit more of a rest is Eben, but the rest must earn their wages.

I am also pissed off with the Stormers. Willemse played non stop since forever and had an injury in the URC semi final. Was prepared to stand in for Blommetjies. Malherbe and Kitshoff never play longer then a half for both Stormers and Springboks

Fourie, Dweba and Jantjies need matches like Moerat and Orrie.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ulster tour squad – Forwards: John Andrew, Sam Carter, Rob Herring, Gareth Milasinovich, Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Marcus Rea, Matty Rea, Rory Sutherland, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell, Andrew Warwick, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Billy Burns, John Cooney, Angus Curtis, James Hume, Mike Lowry, Rob Lyttle, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey.
Emerging Ireland players: Rob Baloucoune, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave McCann, Michael McDonald, Ethan McIlroy, Stewart Moore, Callum Reid, Tom Stewart.

[average joe]

Be careful with all this resting. The only way to keep a knife sharp is to use it. How many times have we seen players coming back from a rest looking all dried up and flaky, like an old shammy that was left in the sun for too long.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Sharks training

Well they are training with the team

Does that mean they might be selected for the upcoming match? That would be some team tbf.

[Sards]

Sharks training

Well they are training with the team

Does that mean they might be selected for the upcoming match? That would be some team tbf.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/united ... first-time

All going to get a game. Also Vincent Tshituka.....

Very exciting. Game on

[FalseBayFC]

Sharks training

Well they are training with the team

Does that mean they might be selected for the upcoming match? That would be some team tbf.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/united ... first-time

All going to get a game. Also Vincent Tshituka.....

Very exciting. Game on

Yeah we need some big heavies to carry it up through the guts. Tshituka is very athletic but also does well in the tight stuff. His younger brother Emmanuel is looking good for the Lions too.

[Sards]

I am going to get a parcel of penis enlargement cream in sachets to hand out to Stormers supporters. They are embarrassing. Moaning all over Facebook about the ex Stormers players that decided to further their careers at the Sharks rather than living on SARU handouts

[OomStruisbaai]

I am going to get a parcel of penis enlargement cream in sachets to hand out to Stormers supporters. They are embarrassing. Moaning all over Facebook about the ex Stormers players that decided to further their careers at the Sharks rather than living on SARU handouts

You can order yourself one for reading Facebook.

[Sards]

I am going to get a parcel of penis enlargement cream in sachets to hand out to Stormers supporters. They are embarrassing. Moaning all over Facebook about the ex Stormers players that decided to further their careers at the Sharks rather than living on SARU handouts

You can order yourself one for reading Facebook.

Send a wattsap with your address dude....I will send you enlargement cream and viagra so you can see if it's working

[OomStruisbaai]

I am going to get a parcel of penis enlargement cream in sachets to hand out to Stormers supporters. They are embarrassing. Moaning all over Facebook about the ex Stormers players that decided to further their careers at the Sharks rather than living on SARU handouts

You can order yourself one for reading Facebook.

Send a wattsap with your address dude....I will send you enlargement cream and viagra so you can see if it's working

You struggle to keep up with your young Mrs. You need all the stock you can get.

I am just fine.

[_Os_]

The only way to keep a knife sharp is to use it

That's not how knives work chief.

There's three groups of Bok players. Local players that didn't get much Bok game time and have played URC in the 2022/2023 season. Locally based players that played a lot of the 2022 Bok season, and haven't played URC in the 2022/2023 season. Foreign based players that cannot play URC for SA teams.

The moan is about the big name players that are based in SA and play every Bok test. From memory the maximum amount of matches a pro should play per season is 30-ish (obviously this is only a rough guide for the amount of game time, position, and intensity), otherwise performance is impacted and the injury risk increases. Players that play every Bok test have 12 high intensity matches locked in from the start of the season, missing some URC games at the start of the season is okay with me. SA has the depth of player resources, may as well use them.

[OomStruisbaai]

Most of the top Springboks play in Japan with a short season.

[Sards]

I don't think you really understand the impact the Heineken cup is going to have. You are going to need 2 tiers in your professional arm to cope. Having 1 team is not going to be enough. Ok I understand that the coaches have looked at the Leinster match and the Warriors match and decided they needed to lift the game. That's full credit to those 2 teams. And I bet you they could field 2 teams easily. We need to be in that position too. You may not have seen but the Sharks have contracted a whole bunch ( 8 I think) of promising youngsters. They are building depth across the board. That takes serious money. As we have seen now with the Wasps.
I have no problem building a URC squad that becomes competitive as it grows. Of course our senior players will be spending a lot of time with the boks but will be rested by the Heineken cup. So that's their job for me.

[Sards]

Did Rohan get any further sanction. I have been fearing the worst

[OomStruisbaai]

Embra's nr 7 surely will learn to tackle.

He never missed a tackle for Scotland in about 4 years ffs

[average joe]

The only way to keep a knife sharp is to use it

That's not how knives work chief.

There's three groups of Bok players. Local players that didn't get much Bok game time and have played URC in the 2022/2023 season. Locally based players that played a lot of the 2022 Bok season, and haven't played URC in the 2022/2023 season. Foreign based players that cannot play URC for SA teams.

The moan is about the big name players that are based in SA and play every Bok test. From memory the maximum amount of matches a pro should play per season is 30-ish (obviously this is only a rough guide for the amount of game time, position, and intensity), otherwise performance is impacted and the injury risk increases. Players that play every Bok test have 12 high intensity matches locked in from the start of the season, missing some URC games at the start of the season is okay with me. SA has the depth of player resources, may as well use them.

It's a commonly used statement. The thinking is if you use it regularly, you'll sharpen it regularly. Instead of leaving it unused in a drawer.

Yes, obviously overused players need rest. My statement wasn't about those players. It's clear some Bok players desperately need game time though.

[‘tsek]

Well, bucking the trend, I guarantee the Lions will play ALL their Bok players.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Alapati Leuia, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Sacha Mngomezulu.

Ospreys – 15 Max Nagy, 14 George North, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Michael Collins, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Nicky Smith.
Subs: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rhys Henry, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Rhys Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Reuben Morgan Williams, 22 Jack Walsh, 23 Luke Morgan.

[Sards]

Clicking when shipping more than 50 points

Clicking when getting a bonus point against Leinster for tries scored.some of those tries were gorgeous..don't worry. Our boks are back in town

[OomStruisbaai]

Surprise to see Kitshoff and Dweba with the Stormers. Great to see Xaba starting. Ospreys with all their internationals back will be a challenge on friday night.

Ospreys by 13

[Sards]

Surprise to see Kitshoff and Dweba with the Stormers. Great to see Xaba starting. Ospreys with all their internationals back will be a challenge on friday night.

Ospreys by 13

Don't know why you are surprised to see Dweba

[OomStruisbaai]

Surprise to see Kitshoff and Dweba with the Stormers. Great to see Xaba starting. Ospreys with all their internationals back will be a challenge on friday night.

Ospreys by 13

Don't know why you are surprised to see Dweba

Thought they stayed at home

[Chilli]

Surprise to see Kitshoff and Dweba with the Stormers. Great to see Xaba starting. Ospreys with all their internationals back will be a challenge on friday night.

Ospreys by 13

Don't know why you are surprised to see Dweba

Thought they stayed at home

Ospreys will certainly be happy to see Dweba try throw in.

[OomStruisbaai]

Don't know why you are surprised to see Dweba

Thought they stayed at home

Ospreys will certainly be happy to see Dweba try throw in.

Alwyn Jones will steal all our balls. We need the ref to save us.

[‘tsek]

Lions for Saturday.

Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Edwill van der Merwe, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Marius Louw, 11. Quan Horn, 10. Gianni Lombard, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Francke Horn, 7. Ruan Venter, 6. Emmanuel Tshituka, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. JP Smith.
Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Pieter Jansen van Vuuren, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. Morne van der Berg, 22. Jordan Hendrikse, 23. Zander du Plessis.

14h00 kick off should suit Lions, but with the water-breaks and sneaky Irish tactics (according to Hawies Fourie) of slowing down the game, benefit is debatable.

Mind you, with Ulster’s attack, slowing down is perhaps not the worst of ideas. We’ll also have a look see at Willem Alberts’ impact, if any. I am hopeful, but as a Lions supporter you typically take an aspirin and get over it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions and Sharks will klap them at home. Pretty sure we'll see a different Bulls beast against Munster. Stormers are the big worry.

[FalseBayFC]

Lions and Sharks will klap them at home. Pretty sure we'll see a different Bulls beast against Munster. Stormers are the big worry.

Sharks team announced for tomorrows clash with Glasgow. Etzebeth, Tshituka and Jaden Hendricks back. Bench has Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Carlu Sadie and Siya Kolisi. I'm cautiously predicted a Sharks win but I've not been happy with their development on the paddock over the last few years. Everett and team need to start deliverin.

Glasgow have looked the money so far. Looking forward to see how George Horne goes. So useful to have a no.9 who can place kick. Couple of Saffers on the bench too.

[clydecloggie]

Glasgow's away form has been woeful so far. That Sharks bench is .

Can't see anything other than a Sharks win by some distance.

But it would be great if Glasgow could play like they do at Scotstoun.

[assfly]

It's a bit of a weird looking $harks team, but nice to see some big guns on the bench.

There is still nothing in the new about Rohan getting a ban, but I assume something happened if he's not in the squad. Which is a pity, I enjoyed watching him so far.

I'd prefer to see Kok given a chance at 13 and we get Mapimpi back in the team.

[dkm57]

Agree with clydecloggie Glasgow have been f#cking frustrating so far this season. From sublime to bloody woeful and back again. I'm expecting that away in SA it'll be another depressing 80.

I'll prepare a pile of rolled up socks to chuck at the idiot box and warn the missus she might want to go do some shopping and leave me to my misery.

[fishfoodie]

Another nice easy match for Connacht this weekend

Connacht: Conor Fitzgerald, John Porch, Byron Ralston, David Hawkshaw, Mack Hansen, Jack Carty (CAPT), Colm Reilly, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Gavin Thornbury, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle

Replacements: Grant Stewart, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Conor Oliver, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Ciaran Booth

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose (CAPT), Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell, Ross Byrne, Cormac Foley, Ed Byrne, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, James Ryan, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: John McKee, Andrew Porter, Michael Ala’alatoa, Joe McCarthy, Martin Moloney, Nick McCarthy, Ciarán Frawley, Robbie Henshaw

[charltom]

Lions and Sharks will klap them at home. Pretty sure we'll see a different Bulls beast against Munster. Stormers are the big worry.

Sharks team announced for tomorrows clash with Glasgow. Etzebeth, Tshituka and Jaden Hendricks back. Bench has Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Carlu Sadie and Siya Kolisi. I'm cautiously predicted a Sharks win but I've not been happy with their development on the paddock over the last few years. Everett and team need to start deliverin.

Glasgow have looked the money so far. Looking forward to see how George Horne goes. So useful to have a no.9 who can place kick. Couple of Saffers on the bench too.

You'll have to wait for him to come off the bench!

[OomStruisbaai]

Another nice easy match for Connacht this weekend

Connacht: Conor Fitzgerald, John Porch, Byron Ralston, David Hawkshaw, Mack Hansen, Jack Carty (CAPT), Colm Reilly, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, Gavin Thornbury, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle

Replacements: Grant Stewart, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Conor Oliver, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Ciaran Booth

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose (CAPT), Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell, Ross Byrne, Cormac Foley, Ed Byrne, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, James Ryan, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: John McKee, Andrew Porter, Michael Ala’alatoa, Joe McCarthy, Martin Moloney, Nick McCarthy, Ciarán Frawley, Robbie Henshaw

Where are your bold players?.

Good time to put Leinster away

[handyman]

Clicking when shipping more than 50 points

Clicking when getting a bonus point against Leinster for tries scored.some of those tries were gorgeous..don't worry. Our boks are back in town

When are the saaks going to see a return on their massive investment in star players?

[_Os_]

When are the saaks going to see a return on their massive investment in star players?

This season.

[assfly]

I see Rohan got 4 weeks. Seems a bit harsh.

[LoveOfTheGame]

I see Rohan got 4 weeks. Seems a bit harsh.

4 Weeks! Wtf, boggles the mind.

[handyman]

When are the saaks going to see a return on their massive investment in star players?

This season.

As always I value your opinion highly except when talking about the saaks.

[OomStruisbaai]

I see Rohan got 4 weeks. Seems a bit harsh.

4 Weeks! Wtf, boggles the mind.

Sazi Sandi got 3 weeks for his head on head tackle. You can expect a fatty tackle like that.