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

[assfly]

And being a kid he'll probably escape a custodial sentence...

How old is Cane? Seems harsh but it was an unwarranted attack on a civilian.

[Grandpa]

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,

Am I in a parallel universe? Not been tested? They've lost quite a few games... more than Foster? Can't be far off... You guys are talking about them as if they have done something special.. and no one can beat them?

OK if they win the world cup and go near undefeated the next four years, then it's a different discussion.

[Grandpa]

And being a kid he'll probably escape a custodial sentence...

How old is Cane? Seems harsh but it was an unwarranted attack on a civilian.

This kid wasn't wandering by in the stand... he invaded the pitch. For me all pitch invaders should be imprisoned... players lives should not be at risk from pitch invaders.... a player is going to be stabbed, like Monica Seles... and then suddenly, it will be taken more seriously...

[LoveOfTheGame]

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,

Am I in a parallel universe? Not been tested? They've lost quite a few games... more than Foster? Can't be far off... You guys are talking about them as if they have done something special.. and no one can beat them?

OK if they win the world cup and go near undefeated the next four years, then it's a different discussion.

It's a very good Springbok team, perhaps not the best, but it's a very good Springbok team. You should be happy, they have given the old foe a good go since 2018, putting many proud back in the rivalry. Now stop being so grumpy and go have a cup of tea. Are you not looking forward to the test on Saturday, it should be a belter man.

[LoveOfTheGame]

And being a kid he'll probably escape a custodial sentence...

How old is Cane? Seems harsh but it was an unwarranted attack on a civilian.

This kid wasn't wandering by in the stand... he invaded the pitch. For me all pitch invaders should be imprisoned... players lives should not be at risk from pitch invaders.... a player is going to be stabbed, like Monica Seles... and then suddenly, it will be taken more seriously...

I agree with this. This is such a non-story. Everybody move along. Media tried their best to blow it up.

[assfly]

This kid wasn't wandering by in the stand... he invaded the pitch. For me all pitch invaders should be imprisoned... players lives should not be at risk from pitch invaders.... a player is going to be stabbed, like Monica Seles... and then suddenly, it will be taken more seriously...

Mate. If it's that bad, then they shouldn't be playing any games in NZ.

[Grandpa]

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

Am I in a parallel universe? Not been tested? They've lost quite a few games... more than Foster? Can't be far off... You guys are talking about them as if they have done something special.. and no one can beat them?

OK if they win the world cup and go near undefeated the next four years, then it's a different discussion.

It's a very good Springbok team, perhaps not the best, but it's a very good Springbok team. You should be happy, they have given the old foe a good go since 2018, putting many proud back in the rivalry. Now stop being so grumpy and go have a cup of tea. Are you not looking forward to the test on Saturday, it should be a belter man.

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

[Grandpa]

This kid wasn't wandering by in the stand... he invaded the pitch. For me all pitch invaders should be imprisoned... players lives should not be at risk from pitch invaders.... a player is going to be stabbed, like Monica Seles... and then suddenly, it will be taken more seriously...

Mate. If it's that bad, then they shouldn't be playing any games in NZ.

I agree, security in NZ is abysmal. Football players have been attacked in Europe recently. It's gonna take a serious assault/death to wake everyone up.

[OomStruisbaai]

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.

That rookie stole many of the Wallabies ball.

[OomStruisbaai]

Am I in a parallel universe? Not been tested? They've lost quite a few games... more than Foster? Can't be far off... You guys are talking about them as if they have done something special.. and no one can beat them?

OK if they win the world cup and go near undefeated the next four years, then it's a different discussion.

It's a very good Springbok team, perhaps not the best, but it's a very good Springbok team. You should be happy, they have given the old foe a good go since 2018, putting many proud back in the rivalry. Now stop being so grumpy and go have a cup of tea. Are you not looking forward to the test on Saturday, it should be a belter man.

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

I get you Oupa, agree and thats why the All Blacks are the favorites. Difficult to explain this to LFTG.

[Grandpa]

It's a very good Springbok team, perhaps not the best, but it's a very good Springbok team. You should be happy, they have given the old foe a good go since 2018, putting many proud back in the rivalry. Now stop being so grumpy and go have a cup of tea. Are you not looking forward to the test on Saturday, it should be a belter man.

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

I get you Oupa, agree and thats why the All Blacks are the favorites. Difficult to explain this to LFTG.

Though I do agree after ten years of poor Boks teams it's nice to have you back competing again the last 4 or 5 years. Just a shame NZ went backwards at the same time!

NZ are favourites. At home and off a win.. good for confidence. No excuses this weekend. NZ by ten.

[OomStruisbaai]

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

I get you Oupa, agree and thats why the All Blacks are the favorites. Difficult to explain this to LFTG.

Though I do agree after ten years of poor Boks teams it's nice to have you back competing again the last 4 or 5 years. Just a shame NZ went backwards at the same time!

NZ are favourites. At home and off a win.. good for confidence. No excuses this weekend. NZ by ten.

The Springboks havent got a good coach like RasNaber for ages. Thats the differense. To beat the All Blacks in NZ will take a big effort.

[JM2K6]

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.

Not sure they're better than that Bok group of the late 2000s.

Beast, Bismarck, Smit, Botha, Matfield, Brussow, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Spies, Fourie du Preez, Pienaar, Habana, De Villiers, Jacobs, JP Pietersen, Steyn, Danie Roussouw, Jaque Fourie, Morne Steyn, Andries Bekker, Steenkamp, Carstens, Druggyboy Ralepelle, Kirchner, Ndungane, Olivier, J Muller, Kankowski, Mujati, Januarie, Jannie du Plessis, Joe van Niekerk, Conrad Jantjes, Luke Watson, CJ van der Linde, Percy Montgomery, Butch James, Schalk Brits


This is an exciting crop of Boks right now but a lot of them are not yet proven performers. That late 2000s side had some all time greats (Smit, Beast, Burger, J Smith, Fourie du Preeze, Habana, De Villiers, Jaque Fourie) and a lot of good players behind them. I'm not sure this current lot can match that. Especially as I think their best players are just slightly worse than the 2000s equivalents.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Springboks never had the current depth. Never. We need to thank the URC for this.

[Gumboot]

The Springboks never had the current depth. Never. We need to thank the URC for this.

That may well prove to be the difference in the end - a rock solid first xv and an impactful bench.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Am I in a parallel universe? Not been tested? They've lost quite a few games... more than Foster? Can't be far off... You guys are talking about them as if they have done something special.. and no one can beat them?

OK if they win the world cup and go near undefeated the next four years, then it's a different discussion.

It's a very good Springbok team, perhaps not the best, but it's a very good Springbok team. You should be happy, they have given the old foe a good go since 2018, putting many proud back in the rivalry. Now stop being so grumpy and go have a cup of tea. Are you not looking forward to the test on Saturday, it should be a belter man.

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

So if the Boks win Saturday it's only because the All Blacks are shit. If the All Blacks win, then the Springboks are proved to be even shittier because even though the All Blacks won, they are in fact still shit. This is due to them having a shit coach. Also, it is being played in a shitty league stadium. So in a nutshell, two shit teams are about to play test rugby on Saturday, with a crap result for the Springboks win or lose. Now I'm about to shit myself with either excitement or excrement, could you please make it clear which one I should be hoping for on Saturday?

[Grandpa]

It's a very good Springbok team, perhaps not the best, but it's a very good Springbok team. You should be happy, they have given the old foe a good go since 2018, putting many proud back in the rivalry. Now stop being so grumpy and go have a cup of tea. Are you not looking forward to the test on Saturday, it should be a belter man.

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

So if the Boks win Saturday it's only because the All Blacks are shit. If the All Blacks win, then the Springboks are proved to be even shittier because even though the All Blacks won, they are in fact still shit. This is due to them having a shit coach. Also, it is being played in a shitty league stadium. So in a nutshell, two shit teams are about to play test rugby on Saturday, with a crap result for the Springboks win or lose. Now I'm about to shit myself with either excitement or excrement, could you please make it clear which one I should be hoping for on Saturday?

No, despite NZ not being great at the moment, if the Boks win, historically it's quite an achievement!

And even if the All Blacks win I wouldn't get carried away if I were them... they're overwhelming favourites. Not lost in Auckland to the Boks since 1937? And out of 25 matches in NZ since the 1995 World Cup, only lost 4 times?

History heavily favours NZ, so a SA win would be epic!

[LoveOfTheGame]

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

So if the Boks win Saturday it's only because the All Blacks are shit. If the All Blacks win, then the Springboks are proved to be even shittier because even though the All Blacks won, they are in fact still shit. This is due to them having a shit coach. Also, it is being played in a shitty league stadium. So in a nutshell, two shit teams are about to play test rugby on Saturday, with a crap result for the Springboks win or lose. Now I'm about to shit myself with either excitement or excrement, could you please make it clear which one I should be hoping for on Saturday?

No, despite NZ not being great at the moment, if the Boks win, historically it's quite an achievement!

And even if the All Blacks win I wouldn't get carried away if I were them... they're overwhelming favourites. Not lost in Auckland to the Boks since 1937? And out of 25 matches in NZ since the 1995 World Cup, only lost 4 times?

History heavily favours NZ, so a SA win would be epic!

Right, so you are excited. Was worried there, good man.

[Grandpa]

So if the Boks win Saturday it's only because the All Blacks are shit. If the All Blacks win, then the Springboks are proved to be even shittier because even though the All Blacks won, they are in fact still shit. This is due to them having a shit coach. Also, it is being played in a shitty league stadium. So in a nutshell, two shit teams are about to play test rugby on Saturday, with a crap result for the Springboks win or lose. Now I'm about to shit myself with either excitement or excrement, could you please make it clear which one I should be hoping for on Saturday?

No, despite NZ not being great at the moment, if the Boks win, historically it's quite an achievement!

And even if the All Blacks win I wouldn't get carried away if I were them... they're overwhelming favourites. Not lost in Auckland to the Boks since 1937? And out of 25 matches in NZ since the 1995 World Cup, only lost 4 times?

History heavily favours NZ, so a SA win would be epic!

Right, so you are excited. Was worried there, good man.

I get nervous watching re-runs from the 80s!

[Biffer]

If it was in Safferland, this would be a cracking game to look forward to, but I don't see them getting a result on the edge of the disk.

[Sandstorm]

Boks aren’t rock solid everywhere. Lineout throwing is ropey and we still don’t have someone who kicks long distance and reliably for touch.

[bok_viking]

I am looking forward to this to have a better idea of where the boks are at. I find it hard to figure out where the boks are after the Australia game. I hope it is a close fought game as many have been between the 2 teams. I think I am more looking forward to the game in London on neutral ground. That could be an epic game if both teams are at similar strength and form.

[Ymx]

Good rant Grandpa. Agreed.

I think this one was the most hyperbolic

SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no?

[Chilli]

Potentially it looks a decent Bok side. But we thought that last year.... and the year before.. and they still flattered to deceive. If they had a record like France and Ireland, I'd big them up.. but this pretty average All Blacks side, even under Foster might beat this Bok side (The bookies think they will).

The Boks are the new France... unpredictable...

I get you Oupa, agree and thats why the All Blacks are the favorites. Difficult to explain this to LFTG.

Though I do agree after ten years of poor Boks teams it's nice to have you back competing again the last 4 or 5 years. Just a shame NZ went backwards at the same time!

NZ are favourites. At home and off a win.. good for confidence. No excuses this weekend. NZ by ten.

I like how you think.

Grumpy Old Fart.

[Sards]

If it was in Safferland, this would be a cracking game to look forward to, but I don't see them getting a result on the edge of the disk.

I just realized I will be driving at that time. Vok

[OomStruisbaai]

Good rant Grandpa. Agreed.

I think this one was the most hyperbolic

SA have got to be right up there both in terms of 1st XV and depth, to being best in history no?

My best Bok team toured NZ in 1981.

[Sards]

Boks aren’t rock solid everywhere. Lineout throwing is ropey and we still don’t have someone who kicks long distance and reliably for touch.

We are being set up here. The arrogant and overconfident Springboks.

Remember Stormers vs Munster.

Would be best to stay humble here

[Ymx]

Boks aren’t rock solid everywhere. Lineout throwing is ropey and we still don’t have someone who kicks long distance and reliably for touch.

We are being set up here. The arrogant and overconfident Springboks.

Remember Stormers vs Munster.

Would be best to stay humble here

I must admit, it’s unusual to see such confidence from you lot.

Usual you and Oom are huge doom mongers. Your doom normally is accompanied with slating a brain dead player or coach.

[Grandpa]

Boks aren’t rock solid everywhere. Lineout throwing is ropey and we still don’t have someone who kicks long distance and reliably for touch.

We are being set up here. The arrogant and overconfident Springboks.

Remember Stormers vs Munster.

Would be best to stay humble here

I must admit, it’s unusual to see such confidence from you lot.

Usual you and Oom are huge doom mongers. Your doom normally is accompanied with slating a brain dead player or coach.

I agree.. I preferred them when they had no hope... and then were pleasantly surprised...

[Ymx]

For Saffers, they’re actually a pretty decent bunch.

Either way, they are our cross to bear for volunteering to move to this new forum.

Raggs is English though, isn’t he.

[Blake]

It’s the hope that kills ya!

I preferred going to NZ hoping we could contain the mightly All Blacks and keep the score respectable. Maybe sneak a cheeky win! But going there, hoping for a win and thinking it’s actually possible feels…weird.

Dangers for the Boks:
- #10…Willemse has not been great there. Passable, but not great
- Goal kicking. Need to take every chance at points. Can’t leave goal kicks on the table.
- Lineouts. Struggled against Aus, but with green locks. Will hopefully go better with veterans running the show.

Need a big match from Kwagga. Van Staden laid down a marker standing in for Kolosi last weekend. Kwagga will be under pressure.

[Grandpa]

For Saffers, they’re actually a pretty decent bunch.

Either way, they are our cross to bear for volunteering to move to this new forum.

Raggs is English though, isn’t he.

So Raggs was trolling? Naughty boy!

Weather looks good for Saturday. No rain about. Be interesting to see what the Bok game plan is like with Willemse at 10.

[OomStruisbaai]

It’s the hope that kills ya!

I preferred going to NZ hoping we could contain the mightly All Blacks and keep the score respectable. Maybe sneak a cheeky win! But going there, hoping for a win and thinking it’s actually possible feels…weird.

Dangers for the Boks:
- #10…Willemse has not been great there. Passable, but not great
- Goal kicking. Need to take every chance at points. Can’t leave goal kicks on the table.
- Lineouts. Struggled against Aus, but with green locks. Will hopefully go better with veterans running the show.

Need a big match from Kwagga. Van Staden laid down a marker standing in for Kolosi last weekend. Kwagga will be under pressure.

Yep agree on all. Escom has been effective in 6 last week and we have been spoiled with Fourie at the Stormers. Kwagga is pretty quick over the pitch .

[Gumboot]

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.

Mate, we beat the Boks 4 games out of 5 in 2007-2008, and only lost by 2 points in Dunedin in '08. We also beat them 19-0 in Cape Town that year.

The following year, 2009, was a completely different story. They beat us 3-0, with the brilliant Fourie du Preez box-kicking our outside backs into submission, and Frans Steyn nailing 50-metre goal kicks for fun. We were out-thought and out-played by a very good Boks side. Mind you, it wasn't the greatest of ABs sides that year. Rokocoko was stupidly moved to the right wing to accommodate Sivivatu at 11, and his form fell off a cliff. And we had Isaac Ross at lock, who was mostly useless in the tight.

[convoluted]

If it was in Safferland, this would be a cracking game to look forward to ...

Boks v Blacks in South Africa is always the ultimate.
Sun, hard ground, feral crowd and noisy disrespect for the haka -- glorious backdrop.

[OomStruisbaai]

OK granted. All Blacks are the big favorites for Saturday. For me beating the All Blacks in NZ has always been a bigger challenge then winning the WC. Rassie spoiled us a bit as coach, he has never lost in NZ. Maybe after Saturday we will be grounded and work harder for the upcoming WC we won't have a lucky draw this time.

[Ymx]

Just read Frans Steyn has just retired too.

Legend !

How did he only end up with 76 caps? Just checked his wiki page.

[assfly]

It's a very good team, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're going to win.
There are a few players with cobwebs around them, and the result may rest on whether Willemse fires at 10 or not.
I could see NZ winning by 2.

[Raggs]

For Saffers, they’re actually a pretty decent bunch.

Either way, they are our cross to bear for volunteering to move to this new forum.

Raggs is English though, isn’t he.

So Raggs was trolling? Naughty boy!

Weather looks good for Saturday. No rain about. Be interesting to see what the Bok game plan is like with Willemse at 10.

Raggs sticks by what he says. That the players are exceptionally good, with fantastic depth. That's not the same as the team being well coached or achieving a lot, but this SA bunch have the potential to go far.

[boere wors]

Just read Frans Steyn has just retired too.

Legend !

How did he only end up with 76 caps? Just checked his wiki page.

Our prodigal son... should have been a test centurion, made himself unavailable for some years, had some run ins with coaches, bit of hard luck with injuries. Yet still manged to win 2 RWCs and 2 Lions series. Massive talent.