Bok Team for Tonga

The Boks needs to start with a first choice team against Tonga to become battle hardened for the quarter final and get continuity. Even if it means injuries, as the performance against Ireland would probably not beaten the French, even with all their injuries.

It is clear the Boks don't have a first choice team in the backline, because so many of the positions could be changed.

This problem is compounded by the return to the squad of Pollard, at such a late hour. 
With the pole kicking problems, he is going to be somewhere in the backline.
Which means replacing Libbok, or totally rejigging the backline

1. Ox                (Reserve - Nykani)
Ox is clearly the form scrimmager.
Kitshoff is out of form in the scrum.   
Nykani is actually a better loose head than tighthead, and plays better outside of the scrum when he is a loose head. 

2. Bongi            (Reserve -Van Staden)
The throw ins of Bongi were average. Most of the balls went to number 2 lineout jumper,
Eztebeth who was jumping before the ball was thrown in, and just pop passing to the scrumhalf. 
Deon Fourie stopped being a hooker because he could not throw the ball into the lineout, and he is too small at international level. Rather give Van Staden a shot at throwing in. 

3. Malherbe       (reserve - Koch)
I would rather have Koch as a specialist tighthead as the backup.

4. Eztebeth   
He needs to stay on the pitch longer, especially if the Boks are not winning

5. Snyman          (reserve -Mostert)
We need more x-factor in the Bok lineup

6. Kolisi             (reserve - Kwagga)
A bad game against the Irish. He excels more in open running games. A-non factor at the breakdown. Kwagga easily outplayed him - but as an impact player. 

7. PSDT     
He has had good games this season, despite a horror showing against the Irish.
       
8. Vermuelen      (reserve -Wiese)
The breakdown was the worst we have seen from the Boks in a few years. Wiese is strong, but like his name sake wildebeest lacks thinking ability. Vermuelen needs to start. 

9. Faff                 (reserve - Reinach)
His box kicks are still not good enough. It is hard to sub him because he has also been the reserve pole kicker.

10. Libbok     -
The most difficult decision is how to accommodate Pollard and Libok in the same backline.
One option is dropping Libok for a pole kicker in Pollard, but Pollard has been out of the game for so long - he is not going to be current with the new attacking plays.

12. Pollard
Delande has to go. Pollard has experience at 12 at test level. It is just a case of game time to combine with Libbok

13. ??????????     
Kriel is an option on defence, but offers little on attack. 
Moodie is better on attack, but how many changes can tbe Boks make to their backline.

14. Kolbe
He has been on the left wing, not sure if that has any impact on his game

15. Willemse  (reserve - Leroux )
I would prefer to start Leroux, but their also has to be a place on the field for Willemse. I would put Willemse at outside center, but their is already going to be lots of changes to the backline.

11. Arendse
Moodie may get the nod to bring a bit more physicality, instead of having 2 Kolbe's 

Pollard should start at 10…he has never functioned well at 12. And frankly his defense is no better than Libbok’s. But he has to show he is match fit.

I think Libbok world cup is over. He'll carry tackle bags for the rest of the world cup. 

Van Staaden need a full game at hooker. So want to see him start. 

Moody and AE in the center's. 

Willie back to fullback

I actually want our first 15 to play. No more musical chairs 

I think Libbok world cup is over. He'll carry tackle bags for the rest of the world cup. 

Van Staaden need a full game at hooker. So want to see him start. 

Moody and AE in the center's. 

Willie back to fullback

I actually want our first 15 to play. No more musical chairs 

I think Libbok world cup is over. He'll carry tackle bags for the rest of the world cup. 

Van Staaden need a full game at hooker. So want to see him start. 

Moody and AE in the center's. 

Willie back to fullback

I actually want our first 15 to play. No more musical chairs 

Thor is nowhere near as good as Wiese. The breakdown worst in years? It was far worse throughout the RC. Kolisi doesn't excel in any kind of test. Libbok hasn't had one good test. Faf is a 2/10 for skills. No passes and no kicks. 

Good team. 

I think the Allende Willemse center combo is a very good experiment. If Willemse can make the break and give to a pacy wing it will be great. 

I would like to see Kwagga start at 6. People say he is a great fetcher. Let's prove it. 

I would also like to see Ox start and see how dominant he makes the front row.

We also need to give Deon Fourie as much game time as possible. 

It is essential we pick up maximum points. So maybe some experiments will wait till that is achieved..

If we pick up maximum points against Roumania and Tonga and we get a bonus point against Ireland then surely we would be through to tbe quarter s? 

Groupies worried about getting through to the Quarters….last week they had already won the WC.

Well, if Libbok could just kick, but what is his stats this year. I don’t expect our 10 to make all their tackles. 

My team and the team for the rest of the Tournament 

1. Ox / Kittshoff
2. Van Staden / Bongi
3. Trevor / Koch / Malherbe
4. Etzebeth / Klein
5. RG 
6. Kwagga
7. PSTD / Mostert
8. Vermeulen 
9. Faf / Williams
10. Pollard 
11. Kolbe 
12. AE / Dud 
13. Moodie 
14. Arendse
15. Le Roux / Willemse 

Saffex: "I’m not worried about our side I’m worried that Ireland could throw the game against Scotland so we need to thump Tonga"

In other words, do a "Hansie Cronje" in rugby which indeed would be easier to pull off without suspicion or proof....all they would need to do is keep in touch with scores and take the foot off the accelerator in the last 5-7 minutes of the game and let Scotland win by 1-5 points. This would upset the apple-cart.

In the meantime we have to reinforce and risk key players against a very physical Tonga, who have the reputation of being spoilers. There is a risk of cost here.

It is possible that it might be a trap. Sly manipulation. Who knows. Scotland in the meantime could pile on the points against Romania.

Having SA, Ire and Sco in a pool shows something wrong in the way they draw Pools...it spoils the context, oops contest but it would be both.

They would be justified in doing this, after all there is no rule against doing this. It is the way the format is justified, your A side cannot play every allocated game.

Unbeaten run versus lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup, not so sure.???

Seriously knock if off with the conspiracies...Ireland are not going to throw the Scotland game...end of story.

If the Boks get 5 points against Tonga, they get to the quarters.
Even if Scotland got 5 points from each of the two remaining games, both teams finish on 15 - the Boks will go through- because the Boks beat Ireland. The tie-breaker rules are clear. 

The Irish will probably try to get points early on in the game, to bring their subs early - so as to rest them for the All Blacks in the quarters

I agree, the last time Scotland beat Ireland was in 2017 in Edinburgh and since then all 8 games have been won by Ire. Just having a bit of fun with Saffex's statement. Nevertheless, I surmise it will be a good contest.