NPR

Friday 2 July 2021, Loftus Versveld Kick off 19h00
TEAM:
15-Willie le Roux, 14-Rosko Specman, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Frans Steyn, 11-Aphelele Fassi, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Kobus Reinach, 8-Kwagga Smith, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (capt), 5-Franco Mostert, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Trevor Nyakane, 2-Bongi Mbonambi, 1-Ox Noche
Replacements: 16-Malcolm Marx, 17-Steven Kitshoff, 18-Frans Malherbe, 19-Marvin Orie, 20-Jasper Wiese, 21-Herschel Jantjies, 22-Elton Jantjies, 23-Damian Willemse.

First line: Beka Gigashvili (23 caps, 10 points), Guram Gogichashvili (22 caps, 10 points), Nikoloz Khatiashvili (5 caps), Jaba Bregvadze (66 caps, 25 points), Shalva Mamukashvili (83 caps, 55 points), Giorgi Chkoidze (16 caps, 5 points), Giorgi Melikidze (28 caps, 15 points), Luka Japaridze (Uncapped), Gia Kharaishvili (5 caps);

Second line: Kote Mikautadze (67 caps, 10 points), Nodar Cheishvili (31 caps), Davit Gigauri (11 caps, 5 points), Giorgi Javakhia (6 caps, 5 points), Mikheil Babunashvili (Uncapped);

Third line: Beka Saghinadze (21 caps, 15 points), Tornike Jalaghonia (9 caps, 10 points), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (21 caps, 15 points), Irakli Tskhadadze (4 caps), Ilia Spanderashvili (1 cap);

9: Vasil Lobzhanidze (58 caps, 50 points), Gela Aprasidze (34 caps, 24 points), Mikheil Alania (5 caps);

10: Tedo Abzhandadze (25 caps, 162 points), Giorgi Babunashvili (3 caps, 9 points);

12-13: Merab Sharikadze (Cap. 77 caps, 60 points), Giorgi Kveseladze (34 caps, 25 points), Demur Tapladze (9 caps, 5 points), Otar Lashkhi (Uncapped), Irakli Simsive (Uncapped);

11-14: Akaki Tabutsadze (12 caps, 55 points), Mirian Modebadze (16 caps, 35 points);

15: Davit Niniashvili (6 caps, 20 points).

Match officials

The referee is Mike Adamson of Scotland. This will be his first Test as a referee of a match involving South Africa and his second career Test match.
The assistant referees are Wayne Barnes of England and Marius van der Westhuizen of South Africa. Marius Jonker of South Africa is the TMO.

Facts and Stats

It will be the Georgians’ first trip to South Africa to face the Springboks.
This match marks the second time these two nations meet – the first was in their pool match at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, which the Springboks won 46-19.
Frans Steyn requires nine more points to reach the milestone of 150 Test points.
Elton Jantjies is one penalty goal short of his 50th for the Springboks – and should he achieve this feat, he will match Naas Botha in fifth place for the most career penalty goals.
Head to head v Georgia

Played: 1, Won: 1; Points for: 46; Points against: 19; Tries for: 7; Tries against: 1; Win%: 100%

Miscellaneous

The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is
There are 236 caps in the backline with 314 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 174
The average caps per player in the backline are 33, the forwards 39 while the players on the bench average 21.

Firstly, PRAISE THE LORD THE BOKS ARE BACK

Bit of a weird looking team, thanks to the non-availability of recently returning players and Covid protocols. I think next weeks' team will be much closer to the starting team for the first test against the Lions.

Very happy for Ox and Fassi to get starts.

We are fucked if one of the centres gets injured in the first half.

How is DDA recovering from his marshmallow incident?

Sandstorm wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:00 pm We are fucked if one of the centres gets injured in the first half.

Willemse can slot in 12. I'm more worried about wing. Kriel probably the backup

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:03 pm

Sandstorm wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:00 pm We are fucked if one of the centres gets injured in the first half.

Willemse can slot in 12. I'm more worried about wing. Kriel probably the backup

Willemse can slot in anywhere from 6 to 15. Just such a natural player.

First line: Beka Gigashvili (23 caps, 10 points), Guram Gogichashvili (22 caps, 10 points), Nikoloz Khatiashvili (5 caps), Jaba Bregvadze (66 caps, 25 points), Shalva Mamukashvili (83 caps, 55 points), Giorgi Chkoidze (16 caps, 5 points), Giorgi Melikidze (28 caps, 15 points), Luka Japaridze (Uncapped), Gia Kharaishvili (5 caps);

Second line: Kote Mikautadze (67 caps, 10 points), Nodar Cheishvili (31 caps), Davit Gigauri (11 caps, 5 points), Giorgi Javakhia (6 caps, 5 points), Mikheil Babunashvili (Uncapped);

Third line: Beka Saghinadze (21 caps, 15 points), Tornike Jalaghonia (9 caps, 10 points), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (21 caps, 15 points), Irakli Tskhadadze (4 caps), Ilia Spanderashvili (1 cap);

9: Vasil Lobzhanidze (58 caps, 50 points), Gela Aprasidze (34 caps, 24 points), Mikheil Alania (5 caps);

10: Tedo Abzhandadze (25 caps, 162 points), Giorgi Babunashvili (3 caps, 9 points);

12-13: Merab Sharikadze (Cap. 77 caps, 60 points), Giorgi Kveseladze (34 caps, 25 points), Demur Tapladze (9 caps, 5 points), Otar Lashkhi (Uncapped), Irakli Simsive (Uncapped);

11-14: Akaki Tabutsadze (12 caps, 55 points), Mirian Modebadze (16 caps, 35 points);

15: Davit Niniashvili (6 caps, 20 points).

tabascoboy wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:23 pm

First line: Beka Gigashvili (23 caps, 10 points), Guram Gogichashvili (22 caps, 10 points), Nikoloz Khatiashvili (5 caps), Jaba Bregvadze (66 caps, 25 points), Shalva Mamukashvili (83 caps, 55 points), Giorgi Chkoidze (16 caps, 5 points), Giorgi Melikidze (28 caps, 15 points), Luka Japaridze (Uncapped), Gia Kharaishvili (5 caps);

Second line: Kote Mikautadze (67 caps, 10 points), Nodar Cheishvili (31 caps), Davit Gigauri (11 caps, 5 points), Giorgi Javakhia (6 caps, 5 points), Mikheil Babunashvili (Uncapped);

Third line: Beka Saghinadze (21 caps, 15 points), Tornike Jalaghonia (9 caps, 10 points), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (21 caps, 15 points), Irakli Tskhadadze (4 caps), Ilia Spanderashvili (1 cap);

9: Vasil Lobzhanidze (58 caps, 50 points), Gela Aprasidze (34 caps, 24 points), Mikheil Alania (5 caps);

10: Tedo Abzhandadze (25 caps, 162 points), Giorgi Babunashvili (3 caps, 9 points);

12-13: Merab Sharikadze (Cap. 77 caps, 60 points), Giorgi Kveseladze (34 caps, 25 points), Demur Tapladze (9 caps, 5 points), Otar Lashkhi (Uncapped), Irakli Simsive (Uncapped);

11-14: Akaki Tabutsadze (12 caps, 55 points), Mirian Modebadze (16 caps, 35 points);

15: Davit Niniashvili (6 caps, 20 points).

Looks weak.

Weakest position imo is Number 8 with Kwagga. Would have preferred Dan du Preez there. Likewise Jean Luc instead of Marvin Orie.

Its Georgia, so let's not get too excited. Tough up front and then not much else.
.I don't understand why Kwagga is even there.

OP updated

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:01 pm Weakest position imo is Number 8 with Kwagga. Would have preferred Dan du Preez there. Likewise Jean Luc instead of Marvin Orie.

Not a huge fan of Kwagga.....he has really underachieved

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:01 pm Weakest position imo is Number 8 with Kwagga. Would have preferred Dan du Preez there. Likewise Jean Luc instead of Marvin Orie.

Net omdat ek jou like
IOL

A number of overseas-based players were not considered for selection because they joined the squad late from various competitions in the northern hemisphere or are on the way back from injury. In this group would be Kolbe, Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman and Damian de Allende.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:11 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:01 pm Weakest position imo is Number 8 with Kwagga. Would have preferred Dan du Preez there. Likewise Jean Luc instead of Marvin Orie.

Net omdat ek jou like
IOL

A number of overseas-based players were not considered for selection because they joined the squad late from various competitions in the northern hemisphere or are on the way back from injury. In this group would be Kolbe, Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman and Damian de Allende.

Yeah of course, thats why, thx

Sards wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:10 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:01 pm Weakest position imo is Number 8 with Kwagga. Would have preferred Dan du Preez there. Likewise Jean Luc instead of Marvin Orie.

Not a huge fan of Kwagga.....he has really underachieved

Think so too. At least he has apparently played 8 this last season in Japan, is familiar with the position. Will be interesting to see how Wiese will perform when he comes in later.

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:24 pm

Sards wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:10 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:01 pm Weakest position imo is Number 8 with Kwagga. Would have preferred Dan du Preez there. Likewise Jean Luc instead of Marvin Orie.

Not a huge fan of Kwagga.....he has really underachieved

Think so too. At least he has apparently played 8 this last season in Japan, is familiar with the position. Will be interesting to see how Wiese will perform when he comes in later.

You should be more worried about Kolisi.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:28 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:24 pm

Sards wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:10 pm

Not a huge fan of Kwagga.....he has really underachieved

Think so too. At least he has apparently played 8 this last season in Japan, is familiar with the position. Will be interesting to see how Wiese will perform when he comes in later.

You should be more worried about Kolisi.

He is/was your main man....what happened ?

I stopped worrying about Kolisi.

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:34 pm I stopped worrying about Kolisi.

I am amused by the animosity from the WP mob suddenly. After years of him being the man. But he obviously is part of the future so quite correctly its the way to go.

Sards wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:36 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:34 pm I stopped worrying about Kolisi.

I am amused by the animosity from the WP mob suddenly. After years of him being the man. But he obviously is part of the future so quite correctly its the way to go.

Kolisi never really stood up for WP/Stomps. For the Boks he made some decent pick-and-runs around the ruck a few times and in Japan he was klarse. But otherwise meh…..

60 minutes of klarse?

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 9:01 pm 60 minutes of klarse?

Also against Wales.

Sandstorm wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:39 pm

Sards wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:36 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:34 pm I stopped worrying about Kolisi.

I am amused by the animosity from the WP mob suddenly. After years of him being the man. But he obviously is part of the future so quite correctly its the way to go.

Kolisi never really stood up for WP/Stomps. For the Boks he made some decent pick-and-runs around the ruck a few times and in Japan he was klarse. But otherwise meh…..

You forgot to mention the leg drive.

Sandstorm wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:39 pm

Sards wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:36 pm

boere wors wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:34 pm I stopped worrying about Kolisi.

I am amused by the animosity from the WP mob suddenly. After years of him being the man. But he obviously is part of the future so quite correctly its the way to go.

Kolisi never really stood up for WP/Stomps. For the Boks he made some decent pick-and-runs around the ruck a few times and in Japan he was klarse. But otherwise meh…..

Not true man. He was our best player in 2013 and 2014. He went off the boil a bit for us, but still did well for the Boks. He was one of the few standout players in the 2015-2016 Bok teams.

Chilli wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:03 pm Its Georgia, so let's not get too excited. Tough up front and then not much else.
.I don't understand why Kwagga is even there.

They're not even that tough up front anymore, everyone worked them over in the ANC

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 11:31 am They're not even that tough up front anymore, everyone worked them over in the ANC

...and they're corrupt???

Georgia team for the 1st test largely the same as struggled to get going against Netherlands last weekend, with 14 France based pro/semi pro players in the squad of 23.

http://vue.ge/2020-2021/ZAFXULI/1-RSA_SQD.htm

Georgia tend to be slow starters so expect to open a comfortable lead in the first 30 mins. Keep an eye open for the full-back who is only 18 and a great prospect.

Not sure the Boks will learn anything from this game, in fact i suspect there will be a few injuries to key players, if Georgia keep this below 70 i will be suprised.

ASMO wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:51 pm Not sure the Boks will learn anything from this game, in fact i suspect there will be a few injuries to key players, if Georgia keep this below 70 i will be suprised.

We have no choice, but to play. Need to get cohesion and combinations going.

ASMO wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:51 pm Not sure the Boks will learn anything from this game, in fact i suspect there will be a few injuries to key players, if Georgia keep this below 70 i will be suprised.

Yeah. All these games (the BIL warmups included) although needed are potential injury nightmare's.

handyman wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 2:06 pm

ASMO wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:51 pm Not sure the Boks will learn anything from this game, in fact i suspect there will be a few injuries to key players, if Georgia keep this below 70 i will be suprised.

We have no choice, but to play. Need to get cohesion and combinations going.

Meh, this will be nothing more than a training run for the Boks, what you will have however is a fired up Georgia team who will be doing their best to inflict whatever damage they can to the current world champions, and that is dangerous.

Win or Loose, I am exciting to see our beloved Springbok back in action. It felt like the isolating years, the tour is on/ the tour is off/the tour is on/the tour is off/the tour is on.

It feel like ages since we saw our men in green and gold, 2019 WC winners in action.

Bring on the real rugby!

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:41 pm Win or Loose, I am exciting to see our beloved Springbok back in action. It felt like the isolating years, the tour is on/ the tour is off/the tour is on/the tour is off/the tour is on.

It feel like ages since we saw our men in green and gold, 2019 WC winners in action.

Bring on the real rugby!

Fuck yea!

I have a Windhoek Quart left.
Do I drink it during the Test or during the Lions match tomorrow.
Either way I'll braai and have a glass of red.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:41 pm
It feel like ages since we saw our men in green and gold, 2019 WC winners in action.

To me it feels as if the RWC final has just been last week, hard to imagine it is nearly 2 years. Time flies

Go bokke!

Fire is high, beer is cold, waiting for the Bokke!

Chilli wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 2:21 pm I have a Windhoek Quart left.
Do I drink it during the Test or during the Lions match tomorrow.
Either way I'll braai and have a glass of red.

Beer tonight.

Just a warning, the ref is absolutely kak. Know him from the pro14

sorCrer wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 4:38 pm

Chilli wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 2:21 pm I have a Windhoek Quart left.
Do I drink it during the Test or during the Lions match tomorrow.
Either way I'll braai and have a glass of red.

Beer tonight.

Man, really feel for Fassi, Specman, Wiese etc.

I think the anthems on your debut with a full stadium is something special.

Georgians look pumped!