The Rugby Championship - W2 - 15 July : NZ v SA / Aus v Rg

[Ymx]

NZ v SA
8.05 BST / 9.05 SA / 19.05 NZT

Aus v Arg
10.45 BST / 11.45 SA / 9.45 NZT


Teams

All blacks
v
Springboks

Wallabies
v
Pumas






.

[Ymx]

NZ v SA game will pretty much be the RC decider.

Although, the replay at Twickers should be a big one!

[LoveOfTheGame]

NZ v SA game will pretty much be the RC decider.

Although, the replay at Twickers should be a big one!

The more I think about that game, the more I get a bit worried. The intensity and physicality of SA/NZ test matches are fantastic to behold, but a couple of weeks before the start of the RWC it could become a war zone. It's strange too, it's not like we don't have enough of these matches waiting for us on our side of the draw. I mean, Ireland, Scotland and then if we are good enough either NZ/FRA in the 1/4. Hope there are no injuries on either side.

[OomStruisbaai]

The All Blacks are the big favorites. The Springboks will go back to high kick and charge tactics.

[LoveOfTheGame]

The All Blacks are the big favorites. The Springboks will go back to high kick and charge tactics.

You forgot boring oom. Be consistent.

[assfly]

Springbok team to face New Zealand in Auckland:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 84 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 23 caps, 74pts (11t, 2c, 5p)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 32 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 70 Tests, 45pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 36 caps, 110pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 28 caps, 36 pts (2t, 4c, 4p, 2d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 46 Tests, 41pts (5t, 2c, 4p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 20 caps, 5pts (1t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 63 caps, 15pts (3t)
6 – Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs) – 31 caps, 20pts (4t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 65 caps, 25pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 110 caps, 15pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 59 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 57 caps, 60 pts (12t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 72 caps, 10pts (2t)

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 59 caps, 70pts (14t)
17 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 16 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 42 caps, 0 pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
20 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 67 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 66 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 2 caps, 0 pts
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 19 pts (8c, 1p)

[Gumboot]

So much experience in the Boks forwards, both their starting pack and their reserves.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Springbok team to face New Zealand in Auckland:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 84 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 23 caps, 74pts (11t, 2c, 5p)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 32 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 70 Tests, 45pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 36 caps, 110pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 28 caps, 36 pts (2t, 4c, 4p, 2d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 46 Tests, 41pts (5t, 2c, 4p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 20 caps, 5pts (1t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 63 caps, 15pts (3t)
6 – Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs) – 31 caps, 20pts (4t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 65 caps, 25pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 110 caps, 15pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 59 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 57 caps, 60 pts (12t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 72 caps, 10pts (2t)

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 59 caps, 70pts (14t)
17 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 16 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 42 caps, 0 pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
20 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 67 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 66 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 2 caps, 0 pts
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 19 pts (8c, 1p)

Happy with that, in fact that's a bloody good team. Excellent bench as well. Wonder how long Frans and Kitchie will play before being subbed

[Gumboot]

Happy with that, in fact that's a bloody good team. Excellent bench as well. Wonder how long Frans and Kitchie will play before being subbed

Yep, their bomb squad has always been a big advantage to SA.

[assfly]

That is a ridiculously strong team. I mean seriously.

[Ymx]

Probably.

So, now that we have a few damn good right wings, who do we need on the left? Narawa reminds me a lot of Kahui defensively. Just superb anticipation and timing of the tackle, especially on the kick chase. Maybe he could make the switch? Surely replacing Clarke is a priority now?

We will do what we always do and fudge someone in to that position when on the highest stage.

R Mo?

[Raggs]

In terms of individual personnel, SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no? Some seriously good players picking up just a few caps, simply because of the quality above them.

[Gumboot]

In terms of individual personnel, SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no? Some seriously good players picking up just a few caps, simply because of the quality above them.

Yep, they run deep but they're still top heavy. Class from top to bottom.

[boere wors]

Good team, great bench

I still think Libbok should start at 10 and Willemse to the bench as 10, 12, 15 backup

Will be a good contest on Saturday, that bok team should be hard to beat

[Tichtheid]

In terms of individual personnel, SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no? Some seriously good players picking up just a few caps, simply because of the quality above them.

In terms of the team, I still think the ABs of peak Carter and Ruchie are the best. Maybe this Springbok vintage will better them, though

[Sards]

Good team, great bench

I still think Libbok should start at 10 and Willemse to the bench as 10, 12, 15 backup

Will be a good contest on Saturday, that bok team should be hard to beat

I suspect they have to put this one to bed. Willemse hasnt exactly cemented any spot with much higher quality ahead of him in all positions....one would feel that this is make or break for him. And the multipurpose Jack of all trades position.

[Raggs]

In terms of individual personnel, SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no? Some seriously good players picking up just a few caps, simply because of the quality above them.

In terms of the team, I still think the ABs of peak Carter and Ruchie are the best. Maybe this Springbok vintage will better them, though

In terms of team, I agree, in terms of individuals, it's a lot closer. And even then, Carter/Ritche I don't think had quite the same depth (though it was good).

I don't think this SA will leave as big a legacy, but only due to the fact that there's a lot more competition around these days. NZ didn't have it easy by any means, but rugby at the top at the moment and in the previous 4 years or so, has been really competitive.

[Gumboot]

In terms of individual personnel, SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no? Some seriously good players picking up just a few caps, simply because of the quality above them.

In terms of the team, I still think the ABs of peak Carter and Ruchie are the best. Maybe this Springbok vintage will better them, though

Yep, they're odds on to repeat, I reckon. Remember how fancied England were in 2019, only to get spanked.

[Sards]

The Boks real challenge at the RWC will come from France and Ireland.

[Tichtheid]

I think many people don't give the South African backs enough credit, even after the World Cup in 2019 the talk was about the bomb squad and the starting pack, but the backline was sensational.

[Sards]

Springbok team to face New Zealand in Auckland:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 84 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 23 caps, 74pts (11t, 2c, 5p)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 32 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 70 Tests, 45pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 36 caps, 110pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 28 caps, 36 pts (2t, 4c, 4p, 2d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 46 Tests, 41pts (5t, 2c, 4p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 20 caps, 5pts (1t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 63 caps, 15pts (3t)
6 – Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs) – 31 caps, 20pts (4t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 65 caps, 25pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 110 caps, 15pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 59 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 57 caps, 60 pts (12t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 72 caps, 10pts (2t)

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 59 caps, 70pts (14t)
17 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 16 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 42 caps, 0 pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
20 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 67 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 66 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 2 caps, 0 pts
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 19 pts (8c, 1p)

Happy with that, in fact that's a bloody good team. Excellent bench as well. Wonder how long Frans and Kitchie will play before being subbed

Herschel jantjies still gets dragged around to every match and tournament yet he is still way down the pecking order...wasting the place of a potential player. WTF would we need 5 scrumhalves

[Raggs]

In terms of individual personnel, SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no? Some seriously good players picking up just a few caps, simply because of the quality above them.

In terms of the team, I still think the ABs of peak Carter and Ruchie are the best. Maybe this Springbok vintage will better them, though

Yep, they're odds on to repeat, I reckon. Remember how fancied England were in 2019, only to get spanked.

We didn't have the depth unfortunately. Losing Sinckler in the first minute, to then have a less than vintage Dan Cole play near enough 80, was never going to work. He shouldn't have been doing 20 at the end at that time (he's looking much better again now though). The two late tries made that game look a lot worse, and it's where our depth let us down. And refusing to sub Ben Youngs....

England were favoured purely for the NZ result, I think we blew a lot of emotion out on that one, and then took another emotional blow watching Sinckler leave.

I'd have SA as favourites just for the rwc, but certainly not in the "If they don't win it, they've choked." realm.

[Chilli]

Good team, great bench

I still think Libbok should start at 10 and Willemse to the bench as 10, 12, 15 backup

Will be a good contest on Saturday, that bok team should be hard to beat

100%

[Gumboot]

I think many people don't give the South African backs enough credit, even after the World Cup in 2019 the talk was about the bomb squad and the starting pack, but the backline was sensational.

True that, their second half performance in the 2019 final was as good as it gets.

[assfly]

Herschel jantjies still gets dragged around to every match and tournament yet he is still way down the pecking order...wasting the place of a potential player. WTF would we need 5 scrumhalves

The fact he isn't even on the bench is telling. I think he's the first 9 to get dropped.

[Grandpa]

Can't believe the talking up of this Bok team... The worst All Black side of the past 20 years has a 50% record against them since the World Cup.

What has this team done? Seriously? Apart from one excellent game v England in 2019... I've seen nothing that takes them beyond average. Foster's All Blacks have won the last two Rugby Championships... that's all you need to know. If SA were undefeated since 2019 then that's a different discussion... this Bok side has been no better than Foster's rag tag mob...

What a lot of nonsense posts.

[boere wors]

Herschel jantjies still gets dragged around to every match and tournament yet he is still way down the pecking order...wasting the place of a potential player. WTF would we need 5 scrumhalves

The fact he isn't even on the bench is telling. I think he's the first 9 to get dropped.

It is almost tragical how he never regained his 2019 form. He was really good that year. Played as a rookie in a RWC final... all downhill from then on

[boere wors]

Can't believe the talking up of this Bok team... The worst All Black side of the past 20 years has a 50% record against them since the World Cup.

What has this team done? Seriously? Apart from one excellent game v England in 2019... I've seen nothing that takes them beyond average. Foster's All Blacks have won the last two Rugby Championships... that's all you need to know. If SA were undefeated since 2019 then that's a different discussion... this Bok side has been no better than Foster's rag tag mob...

What a lot of nonsense posts.

Ah come on man, let us feel a bit bullish after our trashing of a hapless Wallabies team last weekend . I think we feel that our team is on a good path to finding form for the RWC after some rather mixed years lately.

[Gumboot]

Can't believe the talking up of this Bok team... The worst All Black side of the past 20 years has a 50% record against them since the World Cup.

What has this team done? Seriously? Apart from one excellent game v England in 2019... I've seen nothing that takes them beyond average. Foster's All Blacks have won the last two Rugby Championships... that's all you need to know. If SA were undefeated since 2019 then that's a different discussion... this Bok side has been no better than Foster's rag tag mob...

What a lot of nonsense posts.

OK, well their World Cup record suggests they rise to the occasion...

[Grandpa]

Can't believe the talking up of this Bok team... The worst All Black side of the past 20 years has a 50% record against them since the World Cup.

What has this team done? Seriously? Apart from one excellent game v England in 2019... I've seen nothing that takes them beyond average. Foster's All Blacks have won the last two Rugby Championships... that's all you need to know. If SA were undefeated since 2019 then that's a different discussion... this Bok side has been no better than Foster's rag tag mob...

What a lot of nonsense posts.

OK, well their World Cup record suggests they rise to the occasion...

So what? They're a good cup team... or lucky in the case of the last world cup.

The boks of 2007/8 vintage were class. This lot are not in the same ball park...

[OomStruisbaai]

Can't believe Marx isn't starting? Bongi has been kak.

[Grandpa]

Can't believe the talking up of this Bok team... The worst All Black side of the past 20 years has a 50% record against them since the World Cup.

What has this team done? Seriously? Apart from one excellent game v England in 2019... I've seen nothing that takes them beyond average. Foster's All Blacks have won the last two Rugby Championships... that's all you need to know. If SA were undefeated since 2019 then that's a different discussion... this Bok side has been no better than Foster's rag tag mob...

What a lot of nonsense posts.

Ah come on man, let us feel a bit bullish after our trashing of a hapless Wallabies team last weekend . I think we feel that our team is on a good path to finding form for the RWC after some rather mixed years lately.

I don't mind optimism... it's outlandish hubris that annoys me... a bit like the 2003 England team that is severely over rated.

The only truly dominant sides I remember in my lifetime... are the All Blacks of the late 80s, Australia in the late 90's, early 2000s. South Africa 2007/2008 and The All Blacks of 2011 to 2015. That's it.

Though France or Ireland could add to that in the coming years...

[assfly]

So what? They're a good cup team... or lucky in the case of the last world cup.

OK now I'm getting a tingle in my junk

[Sards]

Can't believe Marx isn't starting? Bongi has been kak.

Ask your under 15 side.

[Grandpa]

Oh and I'm right behind Cane... except he shouldn't have apologised... and should have smacked him around a bit more... could have had a knife or anything. And being a kid he'll probably escape a custodial sentence...

[assfly]

Can't believe Marx isn't starting? Bongi has been kak.

That's unfair. The one thing Australia did well was put our lineout under pressure, and bar one or two throws he was excellent.

His support play was outstanding, seen in his try assist for KLA.

[Gumboot]

Can't believe the talking up of this Bok team... The worst All Black side of the past 20 years has a 50% record against them since the World Cup.

What has this team done? Seriously? Apart from one excellent game v England in 2019... I've seen nothing that takes them beyond average. Foster's All Blacks have won the last two Rugby Championships... that's all you need to know. If SA were undefeated since 2019 then that's a different discussion... this Bok side has been no better than Foster's rag tag mob...

What a lot of nonsense posts.

OK, well their World Cup record suggests they rise to the occasion...

So what? They're a good cup team... or lucky in the case of the last world cup.

The boks of 2007/8 vintage were class. This lot are not in the same ball park...

Who knows what this lot is capable of, they really haven't been tested in years,

[Sards]

OK, well their World Cup record suggests they rise to the occasion...

So what? They're a good cup team... or lucky in the case of the last world cup.

The boks of 2007/8 vintage were class. This lot are not in the same ball park...

Who knows what this lot is capable of, they really haven't been tested in years,

This weekend

[Sards]

Can't believe Marx isn't starting? Bongi has been kak.

That's unfair. The one thing Australia did well was put our lineout under pressure, and bar one or two throws he was excellent.

His support play was outstanding, seen in his try assist for KLA.

Remember we had a rookie in the lineout.

[Gumboot]

So what? They're a good cup team... or lucky in the case of the last world cup.

The boks of 2007/8 vintage were class. This lot are not in the same ball park...

Who knows what this lot is capable of, they really haven't been tested in years,

This weekend

Can't fucking wait.