6:2 Split - Sasha Zulu or Damien Willemse?

Rassie usually goes for a 6:2 split of forwards to backs. With a specialist scrumhalf, it leaves one position on the bench for a utility back.

The choice is going to be between Sasha and Willemse for the utility bench player.
I would choose Sasha - he is a better kicker (for poles and territory) and more able to cover flyhalf in all conditions.   

Willemse may still make the starting team at fullback, depending on how long Willie Leroux is available. Although Sasha may be better at XV than Willemse- but it would be very close.

With Willemse, Sasha and Libbok all at the Stormers- they also might struggle to get all of them in the starting team. It could also impact their selectability in a certain position if the Stormers are selecting them all in the same team. 

Willemse and Feinberg-Ngomezulu will motlsy be in the starting line-ups.    So you a re mixed up again/    The question should be who should be on the bench together wth Pollard?

9     Anyone bar De Klerk

10   Feinberhg Ngpmezulu

11   Kolbi

12   De Allende

13   Willemse

14   Arendse

15   Fassi  

I think Pollard will become the bench playing flyhalf.    The other replacement should be a scrummy.    .       

I might still start Pollard in the 4 nations, and bring Sasha on the 2nd half. At least at the start of the tournament. 

Although with a 6/2 split, starting Sasha at 10,  then having Willemse on the bench is better than Pollard. Pollard can only cover 10/12, where Willemse can cover all backline positions except scrum half. 

I do not believ that Wi;em,se been on the bench is unlkely.    Pollard is showing signs of being slower - but believe that he is injury-prone so to keep him in the squad a s an insurance poicy at best,   

Dave

Just a question is SB ever rght on anything?

I think Erasmus will like to have Pokkard around for as long as possible,   So the number of tests he starts in will be limited .   I rate Feinberg-Ngomezulu higher than Libbok - hence his selection ahead of Libbok as bench player.   He also performed better in the Portigal test when he replaced Libbok,   

\I thnk the selectors would want  bigger and Stronger players at 12 and 13 and that is why I think that Wilemse will be brought in at 13.   In their case De Allende and Wilemse can swtch placces under some circumstances anyway.    .   ,      .     

MP

Sorry - but Willemse was also injured- so your rumblings are  meaningless are they not?   

Its pretty easy...

We may not even need to worry about the scenario as DW is out injured for a little while.

And Willie will probably only get another season or 2.

Remeber SFM and DW are our future...

Along with Grant Williams.

All of the above 3 are multifaceted and can play in multiple positions.

For now, it will be Grant Williams and SFM on the bench with Willie at 15 and DW out injured.

Once DW is healed up, the situation needs another assessment. ie: Is Willie playing or is he injured? Is Pollard playing or is he injured?

Things have a way of working themselves out.

Very rarely is every player available and not injured and in good form.