How long has it been since we played France and Ireland….then a breather against Italy, finishing up against the nasty Poms. The French match will answer a lot of questions. But the tour as a whole gives us the best measuring stick, as we play number1, number 2 and number 5. Any slippage and we could find ourselves at a ranking of 5 ourselves.
Yes please, I think we've had quite enough of playing the Welsh in particular now.
These are going to be tough matches....this EOYT will be defining for Especially Rassie and Nienhaber.....problems will definitely arrive if our Pivot @ Flyhalf does not perform up to standard....Willemse is a talented player but his kicking to poles must get better....our backline play + Defence is another area that needs attention.....these stupid Player Roadmaps will lead the Bok Squad on a bad path as it does not really make any sense....it will be interesting atleast.
Love the way that No 5 team in ranking gets to play us last.
It's good handicapping,maybe we'll be tired with injuries and then
they at least have a chance.
Once again we face the same challenge. Our reversal to standard Bok values worked better than anybody expected in 2019. Less so last year and 2022 is on a knife edge.
But regardless, our 2019 tactics weren’t new, but were executed so well they surprised our opponents. Now they are totally known.. the players executing them are known, even our occasional switch to ball in hand rugby is expected.
We need to broaden out our game. You can see our club teams doing this, but ominously we seem to lose physicality when we do.
To do well on this tour and next year at the WC our backs have to be more productive with the ball and our forwards need to be given the green light to offload….but if we lose our physicality even a little, teams that are established attacking threats will eat us up. It’s not just defence, it’s the field position and quality of ball that physicality restricts.
We have made almost no progress tactically since the WC….next year may be too late. This is a crucial YE tour.
You play Bristol in a midweek match, Saffex. Are you sure you play Exeter ?
"It does not help missing two key figures in Pollard and Am"
Unfortunate, but a golden opportunity for some new lads to step up.
I thought I’d imagined it, Saffex !
Pls explain what Kriel does exactly to justify his inclusion in the Squad?? He sure as hell does not score tries or Tackle like Am....most of the 13,s in the URC at the Moment, will do a much better Job... although Goosen is a talented Flyhalf, he is not tried and tested to be properly prepared for this tour.
For me a Goosen, Dud Allende, Kriel combination almost guarantees failure. Kriel is surely the worst 13 since readmission.
Goosen has always been gun shy.
It's a tough tour. I don't see the Boks beating France, but Ireland is possible.
Playing the 2 best teams will be a good yardstick of where the Bos are.
Although Ireland are good, particularly at home - but I don't think they are the 2nd best team in the world at the moment. (aside from ranking as such).
New Zealand's form has picked up, but they were woeful at the start of the season when at home vs Ireland. I would rate New Zealand in 2nd position after France. Then it is between Ireland and South Africa for 3rd position
Italy will be easy.
England has been rebuilding their player depth with lots of player rotation. They are a bit of an unknown entity in terms of form. Eddie will be planning to peak for the World Cup. So he will know who the new players are that are going to challenge the incumbents.
Boks certainly need to run the ball more, and take inspiration from the URC.
Up and under should not be overused if they are not working well.
The form of Goosen's and Willemse's could make or break the tour. If they combine at 10 and 12 at least for some part of the game it could make the Boks very expansive.
Goosen is an all-round player (when fit), and could slot into most backline positions.
At flyhalf he gets involved in the attack after he passes to the inside center, running support lines at pace.
Apparently, Frans Steyn is actually injured, and out for 6 weeks or so.
Teams make good games, not names.
Reading complaints about SA rugby missing two key players does come as a surprise no longer.
SA rugby rest players while other union players are involved in demanding leagues.
Most line ups will report missing key players. They are depleted.
Added to the fact that SA rugby is only rugby by name, enthusiasm is kept low.
Our squad is all over the place so don’t worry about us too much.
