Bakkies takes us down memory lane....the good parts

There was no dirty play from the big man.....just huge grunt, authoratative lineout work and some defence out wide. Etzebeth is great, but Bakkies is still high test quality.

Flip Flop is turning into a power house, who would have thunk it. Our front row was good in all it's manifestations, but next week will be a better test. And Vemeulen was huge....as was Alberts while he was on the park. I hope Louw is okay.

And how about HM, he just keeps showing us different options while winning by big margins. The only time helots the plot this year was in the last AB test, which could have turned out differently if we weren't chasing tries.

 Coming back to your last statement Moz.

" The only time helots the plot this year was in the last AB test, which could have turned out differently if we weren't chasing tries."

Absolutely spot on. I have no doubt that had the Boks played their normal style of game, it would not have been as pretty but the AB's would not have been in contention for the perfect season. In our attempt to play a helter skelter brand of rugby, we gave NZL soft tries.

 Anybody who thinks or pretends or lies about Bakkies Botha today having a reasonable game - must have their heads read.   He was not a test level lock anymore - the game is way to fast for him.   A good club player - nothing more.

Hell - I believed in advance that the praise singing from certain quarters would be ear-splitting - but it is harmonious  and sounds to me like h opefully  the death march in respect of Botha's career as a Springbok. 

I just read the following from a certain member:-

"Dave you views would have more weight, if they weren't expressed before the game. And everybody knows, you never change your mind"

This is an extreme case of the pot calling the kettle black.   The poster is a good one to write that - he is the most prejudiced member of this site.       

Cleancut

Living in dream world again - and what you wrote is generalized bullshit - to e quite frank.   I know you believe statistics is meaningless - but I am going to give it anyway:-

Botha

0/0

0

0/3/6

2

0

0

1

0

4/3

1/2

0

0/0

Botha had no ball carries of any significance.   Made 4 tackles and missed 3 and took three line-outs.   What was mentioned was that he took 2 line-outs on opposition throws - but what was not mentioned is that the opposition jumper took two off him as well on our throw.

His contribution to the first Springbok try was zero - he did not win the line-out five meters out - the main drive involving him came to a stop and three players  broke away and drove  over the line - no signs of Bakkies in that one.  In the other p ush over try - he was involved in together with the rest of the team.

What was his high work rate you loved so much?   Looking at what happened during the 60 minutes he was on the field of play - his work rate was anything but high. 

What was the leg drive that resulted in a try?   He was  together with 7 other players involved in a push over try - what is so special about that one?   Was he the only contributor there - you make it sound like he was.

I know you are far removed from reality when it comes to actual performances of players and you are guided by generalized statements - but here you have lost the plot completely.   Lets face it - what Bakkies produced was not bog ordinary - it was below par. 

Towards he end of he contribution - you were less enthusiastic about Bakkies - and went on to mention him as a mentor only - so I assume you think he is not ready for test rugby?

 Clencut

So the double talk is still there - but the conclusion is cleared up. So who are the better locks - I can think of at least six of those - without taking Bekker into account.  I will start with Etzebeth, Du Toit and Van der Merwe and add another three to that based on Super 15 and CC performances.   

As you said elsewhere - Bakkies should play on Super 15 level and get fit.   Problem is he has played numerous matches - granted on club level - but is it possible for him to get fitter than he is at present at the age of 34.   Remember what De Villiers said about the need for a much harder training regime than before  to keep as fit as you were in the past.   Sorry I do not see that as a solution for Bakkies.   He is 34 years of age and nothing more than at present can be expected from him.   He was tried out against a weak team and showed very little - what wiould happen against stronger opposition?  I would say - sure not to make the grade.

Seriously now - base your comments on the above - without any funny names and trying to be condescending. 

If Botha ever plays in the RC - not one for my fantasy selections as well.   

Cleancut

Congratulations - we are getting on par now.   Yes your latest post definitely showed realism and thinking.   I like to get people to be realistic in the end.   Will take some time - but I may yet get you to that point with FAT Alberts too.      

Cleancut

Come now - where is your sense of humour?    

Bluebok

I may be alone about Alberts - but I see how he really functions and why I have reservations about him   I have listed the one positive in the past - his tackling in traffic.   People shout and scream about his ball carrying ability - but he virtually never  makes more than 3 meters in any carry and is normally tackled by the first defender in front of him - carries balls in traffic only, incapable of doing it in open play.   At best an average ball carrier.   Outside of those two functions - he makes a near to zero or virtually  always  a zero contribution.  To my mind he is more of a tight 5 player than a loosie.  I have seen nothing else in practice in games and am not influenced by the praise singing in the media and on this site.