11 Dec 2014, 09:27#1
Who are the best 15 SA players of 2014?
1. Beast2. Adriaan Strauss3. Ruan Dreyer4. Etzebeth5. Lewies 6. Brussouw7. Coetzee8. Vermeulen9. Reinach10. Pollard11. Senatla12. De Allende13. Serfontein14. Hendricks15. Le Roux
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
11 Dec 2014, 09:59#2
In the main correct - but I would add Lewies at 5 - he has all-round abilities - which the gruntless Matfield lacks.
I discussed the problems at 12 and 13 extensively under the thread dealing with the center issue. I think that it is a close call between De Allende and Serfontein for the number 13 position - but to my mind taking anto account all levels of play - my selction at 13 would be between Sadie and Hanekom.
RORooinek
Captain18,117 posts
RORooinekCaptain18,117 posts
11 Dec 2014, 10:05#3
Cheslin Kolbe was much better than Willie Le Roux this year.
11 Dec 2014, 10:41#4
Rooi, Willie was poor towards the end of the year, but he was very good for the first half. I agree Kolbe was good, but it is so difficult to determine what he would have done had he represented the Boks. Probably not much, due to his size. Still, a strong argument can be made for his inclusion.
Mike, good call at 5. I really was at a loss who to add there, but Lewies is probably best. We need PS Du Toit back at lock. Etzebeth was not great coming back from injury, but he did seem to be finding form on the EOY tour. Du Toit and Etzebeth would be a formidable combination. Even if Etzebeth were to play at 5 and Du Toit at 4.
M ike,added Lewies at five based on your post.
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
11 Dec 2014, 10:46#5
Bluebok you need to stipulate in what level of competition.Ou rooitwit makes a classical blunder by saying Kolbe is better than Willie but takes no account of the opposition faced! Willie played the top ranked sides in the world and did very well - in addition he was a very marked man.
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
11 Dec 2014, 10:47#6
Senatal did well at Currie Cup level and briliantly at sevens. How he would go at international level us whart we want to find out. Is his defence good enough.
11 Dec 2014, 10:51#7
Beans, I added Senatla out of a lack of options. Which other SA 11 did anything to warrant a special mention? Having said that, Senatla has REAL pace, and some X factor to boot. So purely because of his Potential and his blistering pace, I added him.
BObobbok...
Captain10,129 posts
BObobbok...Captain10,129 posts
11 Dec 2014, 11:00#8
I'll wait for the next year's Super15 to see how Senatla defends against the predominantly big wingers from downunder . He looked defensively a wee bit suspect in Dubai .
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
11 Dec 2014, 11:17#9
Bluebok Van Wyk was outstanding in all respects. No real weakness at the level we have seen him play so far. Bob Senatla does appear a bit weak on defence but it would appear that he is willing to have ago. All one wants is reasonable defence from him and that would be enoughAs for locks what utter and complete nonsense. Lewies will not make it he is a bit to small. May make a 7 as he has nice pace. Sharsk need to wake up to thsi. Du toit and is it Oosterhuizen should be their locks. Lood was magnificent in the Super comp as was Willemse. A great deal of poppycock has been written about Lood a great young lock in the making who performed credibly in his first few tests. Then we had Ruan and Jean Kleyn. Ou maaaikie cant find a number 5 lock hahahahahhahahaha whatever next!
Play Etzebeth at 5 in any case if needs be . This is a non issue.
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
11 Dec 2014, 11:18#10
I also object to Brussouw being th ere. On what grounds!
11 Dec 2014, 11:28#11
Beans, Brussouw should have been called up after the Super Rugby season, just go and check his stats. He didn't get called up because his size did not fit into Meyer's plan, but that doesn't change the fact that he was outstanding. Same for Lewies, he may or may not make it at the top level, but that does not change the fact that he's had a very good season. Lood, well, for me the jury is still out. He did have some very strong performances in Super Rugby and one or two for the Boks, but he also had a couple of very poor games.
I think we agree though, Etzebeth and PSD for Lock
SASaffolk
Captain30,741 posts
SASaffolk Captain30,741 posts
11 Dec 2014, 11:56#12
15. Willie 14. Senatla 13. de Allende 12. Serfontein 11. Kolbe 10. Pollard 9. Reinach 1. T. du Toit 2. Strauss 3. Marcel v/d Merwe 4. Willemse 5. Lood 6. Kriel/Carr 7. Coetzee 8. Vermeulen