2025 Springbokke

[Sards]

One thing I know for sure. Willie le Roux is still the best 15 we have by a country mile. He was sorely missed by the Bulls yesterday. And Fassi is just sublime. No worries about fullback that's for sure.

Rassie's thinking about Jordan and Sascha at 10 evades me. They are still kids. Rassie missed a great opportunity to test Masuka. Masuka is now. Jayden and Sascha are the future.
And please don't throw Misbok into the equation. We all know he is done with so much talent at our disposal. It's just a matter of time before he is gone.

If someone can somehow explain Rassie's thinking?

[OomStruisbaai]

You are wrong. Damian Willemse is th nr 1 fullback. SMZ surely put up his hand yesterday. Plus for him is his versatility. Rassie need them to give him a 6/2 bench.. I am glad SMZ perform so well in 10, want him to play 10 for the Stormers. MisBok can vokof.. Manuka can play from the bench against Portugal

[Sards]

You are wrong. Damian Willemse is th nr 1 fullback. SMZ surely put up his hand yesterday. Plus for him is his versatility. Rassie need them to give him a 6/2 bench.. I am glad SMZ perform so well in 10, want him to play 10 for the Stormers. MisBok can vokof.. Manuka can play from the bench against Portugal

Everyone has an opinion. Me I would rather have Sacha on the bench with Willie starting against Ireland. And Pollard starting with Masuka on the bench. Masuka and Pollard are very similar players so it's stability. Willemse can vokof. Grant can cover wing too.

[OomStruisbaai]

You are wrong. Damian Willemse is th nr 1 fullback. SMZ surely put up his hand yesterday. Plus for him is his versatility. Rassie need them to give him a 6/2 bench.. I am glad SMZ perform so well in 10, want him to play 10 for the Stormers. MisBok can vokof.. Manuka can play from the bench against Portugal

Everyone has an opinion. Me I would rather have Sacha on the bench with Willie starting against Ireland. And Pollard starting with Masuka on the bench. Masuka and Pollard are very similar players so it's stability. Willemse can vokof. Grant can cover wing too.

Dom doos , Willemse is out till November.

[OomStruisbaai]

You are wrong. Damian Willemse is th nr 1 fullback. SMZ surely put up his hand yesterday. Plus for him is his versatility. Rassie need them to give him a 6/2 bench.. I am glad SMZ perform so well in 10, want him to play 10 for the Stormers. MisBok can vokof.. Manuka can play from the bench against Portugal

Everyone has an opinion. Me I would rather have Sacha on the bench with Willie starting against Ireland. And Pollard starting with Masuka on the bench. Masuka and Pollard are very similar players so it's stability. Willemse can vokof. Grant can cover wing too.

Dom doos , Willemse is out till November. Now why would Rassie put another 10 on the bench if he already have one.

[Sards]

:. Now why would Rassie put another 10 on the bench if he already have one.

Who

[OomStruisbaai]

:. Now why would Rassie put another 10 on the bench if he already have one.

Who

SMZ

[Sards]

:. Now why would Rassie put another 10 on the bench if he already have one.

Who

SMZ

In time. First let Dobson get rid of Manie and play SMZ in the position consistently. Not jump him around in the side.

[OomStruisbaai]

Who

SMZ

In time. First let Dobson get rid of Manie and play SMZ in the position consistently. Not jump him around in the side.

Nope, if he is on the bench Masuka will carry tackle bags.

[Sards]

SMZ

In time. First let Dobson get rid of Manie and play SMZ in the position consistently. Not jump him around in the side.

Nope, if he is on the bench Masuka will carry tackle bags.

So who are you starting. We know Sasha will take the bench

[OomStruisbaai]

In time. First let Dobson get rid of Manie and play SMZ in the position consistently. Not jump him around in the side.

Nope, if he is on the bench Masuka will carry tackle bags.

So who are you starting. We know Sasha will take the bench

Handre Pollard.

[assfly]

I was pretty happy with that result, went as expected. I never thought we would steamroll Wales, especially with so many new combinations and new coaches.

Forwards looked great. Ox on the wrong side of the ref a couple of times, although I'm not sure if that was just the new laws or poor reffing (he had a poor game if you ask me). Not a bad game from Roos, although I'd like to see more of an effort to distribute the ball instead of just crashing it up.

The backs were quite interesting. Not a perfect outing from Hendrikse but good enough (for now). Kriel was outstanding and my man of the match, the work he puts in off the ball is incredible, Am is going to have to fight for that jersey back. Excellent as always from Mapimpi. Fassi has become incredible in the air, it's a pity about his yellow card but that just seemed to be a bit reckless from him.

[Sards]

I was pretty happy with that result, went as expected. I never thought we would steamroll Wales, especially with so many new combinations and new coaches.

Forwards looked great. Ox on the wrong side of the ref a couple of times, although I'm not sure if that was just the new laws or poor reffing (he had a poor game if you ask me). Not a bad game from Roos, although I'd like to see more of an effort to distribute the ball instead of just crashing it up.

The backs were quite interesting. Not a perfect outing from Hendrikse but good enough (for now). Kriel was outstanding and my man of the match, the work he puts in off the ball is incredible, Am is going to have to fight for that jersey back. Excellent as always from Mapimpi. Fassi has become incredible in the air, it's a pity about his yellow card but that just seemed to be a bit reckless from him.

I just have 1 description for Fassi. Sublime

[boere wors]

Watching him collect those high balls was a thing of beauty. And that against Liam Williams, who is another master of that art

[Blake]

Rassie's thinking about Jordan and Sascha at 10 evades me. They are still kids. Rassie missed a great opportunity to test Masuka. Masuka is now. Jayden and Sascha are the future.
And please don't throw Misbok into the equation. We all know he is done with so much talent at our disposal. It's just a matter of time before he is gone.

If someone can somehow explain Rassie's thinking?

You need to build a proper succession pipeline. As such you need a player (or 2) in every 5-year interval.

When you look at the 2027 World Cup the available Flyhalves will be the following ages:

30-35 Years: Pollard (30 now, 33 in 2027), Masuku (27 now, 30 in 2027)
26-30 Years: Libbok (26 now, 29 in 2027)
20-25 Years: Hendrikse (22 now, 25 in 2027), SFM (22 now, 25 in 2027)

Rassie is building for the future, beyond 2027. We don't want to be in the same situation we were in 2015 when we had a bunch of generational players all retire at the same time and we had no pipeline in place.

[boere wors]

Pollard only 29 He‘s been around for a decade. He might have another two RWCs in him.

[Blake]

Pollard only 29 He‘s been around for a decade. He might have another two RWCs in him.

I quickly updated. He is actually 30 now. Turned 30 in March. Still crazy that he is so young.

[boere wors]

Pollard only 29 He‘s been around for a decade. He might have another two RWCs in him.

I quickly updated. He is actually 30 now. Turned 30 in March. Still crazy that he is so young.

Ah ok, thx. Yeah, still…

[bok_viking]

Springbok Squad for Ireland Series

Forwards:

Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks). Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92/Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), RG Snyman (Munster/Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).

Backs:

Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Wilie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

[OomStruisbaai]

Players on standby:
Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (both Stormers), Celimpilo Gumede, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw (all Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Backs: Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers), Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Siya Masuku (Sharks).

[OomStruisbaai]

Springbok squad look well set for the Irish. 95% experience and 5% new blood.

What could go wrong?

Except some Libbok moments.

[Blake]

Springbok squad look well set for the Irish. 95% experience and 5% new blood.

What could go wrong?

Except some Libbok moments.

Good mix. I'm very happy with the squad.

Weaknesses are definitely flyhalf and fullback. I think we are very solid everywhere else.
But if Pollard or Willie gets injured the picture changes.

Fassi and SFM are are both good, but inexperienced and not yet ready to take over from Willie.
And if Pollard gets injured and Manie starts, then it will depend on which Manie shows up on the day. It's a coin toss, and that makes me nervous.

[Sandstorm]

Johan Grobbelaar deserved selection, he's been the best Bok hooker all season.

[Blake]

Johan Grobbelaar deserved selection, he's been the best Bok hooker all season.

Agreed. I don't think it's even close. Grobbies deserves to be there.

But the 4th Bok hooker spot has always been up for grabs. I see Dweba is still on the standby list, but I think that is just window dressing. Like Jantjies I suspect he will be phased out after a string of lack-luster seasons for the Stormers and meh performances for the Boks. AH Venter is also in the standby list and I think Rassie is still keen on the idea of a "multi-role forward" like Van Staden that can play hooker in a pinch or a player like Wessels that can, at least in theory, play literally anywhere in the pack.

[boere wors]

When is Wiese eligible? For the second test?!

[Blake]

According to my understanding he is out for the Irish tests completely. It was a 6 week / 6 match ban; so depending on if World Rugby counts the Wales game (which was outside the test window) or not, he'll likely only be available for the 3rd TRC match vs NZ.

[boere wors]

Thanks boet

[Sandstorm]

Thanks boet

And thanks IRB

[Sards]

Love that my boy Sacha is getting a chance early.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Love that my boy Sacha is getting a chance early.

Mr Feinberg is that you?

[Sards]

Love that my boy Sacha is getting a chance early.

Mr Feinberg is that you?

His biggest fan. He wasn't forced on us through social media hyping. He is just such a natural talent.

[average joe]

I remembered when his fanboy was Manie Mis-skop and the one before him, Curly Botch. Hope this new one don't get hit by the curse

[Blake]

I remembered when his fanboy was Manie Mis-skop and the one before him, Curly Botch. Hope this new one don't get hit by the curse

It really is the kiss of death when Sards takes a shining to player.
And conversely, when he starts picking on a player, they seem to excel, see Damian Willemse.

The statistics behind his consistent misses should really be studied.

[Sandstorm]

I remembered when his fanboy was Manie Mis-skop and the one before him, Curly Botch. Hope this new one don't get hit by the curse

It really is the kiss of death when Sards takes a shining to player.
And conversely, when he starts picking on a player, they seem to excel, see Damian Willemse.

The statistics behind his consistent misses should really be studied.

[Sards]

Give it time. Everyone laughed and laughed when I said Jesse Kriel would be a great Springbok.

[OomStruisbaai]

https://x.com/Springboks/status/1810989 ... k8deA&s=19

[OomStruisbaai]

I remembered when his fanboy was Manie Mis-skop and the one before him, Curly Botch. Hope this new one don't get hit by the curse

It really is the kiss of death when Sards takes a shining to player.
And conversely, when he starts picking on a player, they seem to excel, see Damian Willemse.

The statistics behind his consistent misses should really be studied.

Willemse bring the best out of Sards.

[_Os_]

Blake throwing down some big talk on this thread, when he's the on record as saying Fassi wouldn't win another cap because he couldn't tackle. He was then selected for the Boks.

I gave Sardy the time to come in with this response, but he has failed. I must now make the cover tackle.

[Blake]

Blake throwing down some big talk on this thread, when he's the on record as saying Fassi wouldn't win another cap because he couldn't tackle. He was then selected for the Boks.

I gave Sardy the time to come in with this response, but he has failed. I must now make the cover tackle.

Touche.

Still looking forward to Fassi getting a game against a top team and getting exposed on defense. But in the meantime I have to admit he looked comfortable against... *checks notes* ...Georgia and the worst Wales site in decades. They are ranked 11th now right?

Maybe Fassi will get a half again against powerhouse Portugal next week with Willie and Pollard getting a rest. I predict a match day squad with a 4-3 split. Probably Manie and Fassi starting and Hendrikse and Sasha on the bench to replace them at halftime.

[_Os_]

I predict a match day squad with a 4-3 split.

?