The Mighty Italians and the refs vs the World Champion Springboks match thread

[Chilli]

This has been the best Bok test since WC 2019

It's only Italy.

Ja sure. It's not the score or opposition it is the gameplan, running rugby. When last did we kick?

The Boks are actually playing rugby.

[Margin__Walker]

Commentators being a little kind on Italy there. Not sure they'll be taking a huge amount of confidence from this. They've been completely run over by a very good SA performance in the second half. Given their form coming into this game, Italy would have hoped to be more competitive.

[sturginho]

Jesus! The difference of Libbok is immediately obvious

He's been great since he came on

[Sards]

This has been the best Bok test since WC 2019

It's only Italy.

Ja sure. It's not the score or opposition it is the gameplan, running rugby. When last did we kick?

Libbok.


That's the difference.

[Chilli]

I hope the player is ok.

[Chilli]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

[Sandstorm]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

Tool

[Sandstorm]

Arendse my MOM today. 2 tries, great tackling and work rate

And Amazon agrees

[Chilli]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

Tool

Welcome back

[Sandstorm]

Gorgeous try.

[Chilli]

What a try!

[Chilli]

Super Test!

Thanks Italy!

[Sards]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

[sockwithaticket]

A shame for Italy, but possibly necessary? Not being allowed to get too ahead of themselves off the back of the Australia win. That first half is something they can look back at and tell themselves it is possible to go toe to toe with a side like SA, but they need to be able to up their intensity when it matters and not compound errors when under the cosh.

SA have shown, as most have suspected for a while, that they do have the players to play a more rounded, expansive game they just need to actually trust them to do it. Next step is do it against tougher opposition.

[boere wors]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

[OomStruisbaai]

A shame for Italy, but possibly necessary? Not being allowed to get too ahead of themselves off the back of the Australia win. That first half is something they can look back at and tell themselves it is possible to go toe to toe with a side like SA, but they need to be able to up their intensity when it matters and not compound errors when under the cosh.

SA have shown, as most have suspected for a while, that they do have the players to play a more rounded, expansive game they just need to actually trust them to do it. Next step is do it against tougher opposition.

England next week.

[OomStruisbaai]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

Yep they'll select Manie in 10, Willemse in 12 Willie in 15.

[sockwithaticket]

A shame for Italy, but possibly necessary? Not being allowed to get too ahead of themselves off the back of the Australia win. That first half is something they can look back at and tell themselves it is possible to go toe to toe with a side like SA, but they need to be able to up their intensity when it matters and not compound errors when under the cosh.

SA have shown, as most have suspected for a while, that they do have the players to play a more rounded, expansive game they just need to actually trust them to do it. Next step is do it against tougher opposition.

England next week.

I said tougher opposition.

[boere wors]

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

Yep they'll select Manie in 10, Willemse in 12 Willie in 15.

Lets hope... and Esterhuizen at 13

[Chilli]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

It's more than that Sards.
There is a total different mindset and gameplan.

[OomStruisbaai]

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

Yep they'll select Manie in 10, Willemse in 12 Willie in 15.

Lets hope... and Esterhuizen at 13

AE won't be available, none of the NH players.

[SaintK]

So all you Saffers feel a bit better now then

[Chilli]

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

Yep they'll select Manie in 10, Willemse in 12 Willie in 15.

Lets hope... and Esterhuizen at 13

10 Libbok
12 AE
13 Willemse

[Chilli]

So all you Saffers feel a bit better now then

Feel free to like my Twitter posts on the Test.

[boere wors]

Yep they'll select Manie in 10, Willemse in 12 Willie in 15.

Lets hope... and Esterhuizen at 13

AE won't be available, none of the NH players.

Ah ja, i forgot

[boere wors]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

It's more than that Sards.
There is a total different mindset and gameplan.

I dont think so. They were just lacking the ability.

[Chilli]

Yep they'll select Manie in 10, Willemse in 12 Willie in 15.

Lets hope... and Esterhuizen at 13

AE won't be available, none of the NH players.

F
U
C
K

[Sards]

Libbok is out best 10 since Braam Van Straaten.

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

I just can't believe our incompetent coaches held on to their first choice for so long. Cheslin getting injured forced their hands. Bless you Cheslin.

Sorry for you ouboet but you were very wrong about Libbok replacing Willemse

[sockwithaticket]

Lets hope... and Esterhuizen at 13

AE won't be available, none of the NH players.

F
U
C
K

Why do you think we scheduled you last and outside of the international window? Eddie's going to need a win and depriving you of many players is the best chance.

[boere wors]

I don't want to say......" I told you so............"


We have wasted all this time since Pollards injury trying to make a 10 out of Willemse instead of giving Manie game time

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

I just can't believe our incompetent coaches held on to their first choice for so long. Cheslin getting injured forced their hands. Bless you Cheslin

If it wasnt for injuries, we would have seen no squad development the whole year.

[FalseBayFC]

AE won't be available, none of the NH players.

F
U
C
K

Why do you think we scheduled you last and outside of the international window? Eddie's going to need a win and depriving you of many players is the best chance.

I'm a bit thick on the test window details. If the club releases a player are they allowed to play? Would England benefit by their clubs releasing the English players and not the foreign ones?

[Sards]

This. I just hope our coaches have the balls to make that call next week and start Manie.

I just can't believe our incompetent coaches held on to their first choice for so long. Cheslin getting injured forced their hands. Bless you Cheslin

If it wasnt for injuries, we would have seen no squad development the whole year.

Exactly. I honestly don't believe that Rassie or Nienaber will be happy about backing the wrong horse but with Libbok at 10 and Willie at 15 that backline zinged

[sockwithaticket]

F
U
C
K

Why do you think we scheduled you last and outside of the international window? Eddie's going to need a win and depriving you of many players is the best chance.

I'm a bit thick on the test window details. If the club releases a player are they allowed to play? Would England benefit by their clubs releasing the English players and not the foreign ones?

As part of the Elite Player Squad agreement the RFU pay PRL (the representative body of the Premiership clubs) for greater access to England players.

PRL have agreed among themselves not to release players of other nationalities without similar arrangements being in place. When Northampton tried it with George North, they got fined. It makes sense, why whould the RFU continue to pay PRL if they're letting other unions have extra access for free?

[boere wors]

I just can't believe our incompetent coaches held on to their first choice for so long. Cheslin getting injured forced their hands. Bless you Cheslin

If it wasnt for injuries, we would have seen no squad development the whole year.

Exactly. I honestly don't believe that Rassie or Nienaber will be happy about backing the wrong horse but with Libbok at 10 and Willie at 15 that backline zinged

I am looking forward to see if they have the balls to make that move. Libbok made a serious impression.

[boere wors]

So Esterhuizen, Wiese, Koch and Kolbe not available against England next week. Anyone else? If not, that is totally fine.

[Sards]

So Esterhuizen, Wiese, Koch and Kolbe not available against England next week. Anyone else? If not, that is totally fine.

Esterhuizen and Kolbe will be a big loss.

[Chilli]

So Esterhuizen, Wiese, Koch and Kolbe not available against England next week. Anyone else? If not, that is totally fine.

Esterhuizen and Kolbe will be a big loss.

You underestimate the value of Koch.

[sturginho]

Commentators being a little kind on Italy there. Not sure they'll be taking a huge amount of confidence from this. They've been completely run over by a very good SA performance in the second half. Given their form coming into this game, Italy would have hoped to be more competitive.

We really reverted to type in the second half

[Margin__Walker]

Commentators being a little kind on Italy there. Not sure they'll be taking a huge amount of confidence from this. They've been completely run over by a very good SA performance in the second half. Given their form coming into this game, Italy would have hoped to be more competitive.

We really reverted to type in the second half

Yeah, it was one of those games in the end where the tide turned and all of a sudden SA were getting over the gainline with every single carry. Stands out as Italy have seemed pretty resilient lately.

To be fair, SA are a really hard side to stop when they are getting on top like that.

[OomStruisbaai]

I just can't believe our incompetent coaches held on to their first choice for so long. Cheslin getting injured forced their hands. Bless you Cheslin

If it wasnt for injuries, we would have seen no squad development the whole year.

Exactly. I honestly don't believe that Rassie or Nienaber will be happy about backing the wrong horse but with Libbok at 10 and Willie at 15 that backline zinged

No credit for Willemse? He scored on the wing.