EOYT - Rassie must Rest Older Players

With the Championship in the bag for the 2nd year, some players should be rested for the EOYT to give younger players more opportunities to play. It would be good to put the younger players and combinations under pressure, even if it means losing some matches. Some of the older players will not make the World Cup, and some that do might be past their best.

Players that should be rested:

Eben Eztebeth

Damian de Allende

Cobus Reinach

Siya Kolisi (captain)

Jesse Kriel

Steph DuToit

Cheslin Kolbe

Handre Pollard

Players that should be retired and put out to pasture:

Koch

Bongi

Mapimpi

Mostert

Jean Kleyn

Some positions require more player depth than others.

Fullback: Fassi is injured, but I am not convinced his defence will ever be good enough. Willemse is good at XV, but we need him at 12. Manie Libbok would be a decent XV, except he can't tackle.

Kolbe or one of the other wings might be a better option at XV.

Wings: We are covered here with enough talent.

Outside Centre: Since AM lost form, we have struggled to fill this position. Kriel is good on defence, and just decent on attack. I am not sure Canan Moodie is the answer. He is good, but not world-class class

Inside Centre: We need to give the younger guys more experience here, outside Sasha and Libbok. Willemse needs to be starting, and we need to give Hooker some experience at inside centre. Esterhuizen also needs more chances to play outside Sasha and Libbok.

Delande must not tour to ensure this all happens.

Flyhalf: We are covered here with enough talent—Sasha first, Libbok second, with the steady Pollard in third. WIllemse can also cover 10 in an emergency.

Scrumhalf: Williams needs more time to combine with Sasha and Libbok. Faff De Klerk could be given a shot if Reinach is rested.

Eighthman: Wiese is sold, but not an all-around number 8 that can adapt his playing style based on the day.. It would be interesting if Cameron Hanekom can remain injury-free to get a Bok chance. He is more like a Vermuelen style of player - a strong ball carrier, but can link with backs and is also good on the ground at rucks.

Blindside flank:

Steph Dutoit has made the position his own. It would be good to develop a backup to cover injuries.

Nortje might be an option at number 7, given he is mobile, but he might not have the skills of a loosie

Open Side Flank

We have Kolisi for now, but we saw today that only Marx was effective at the breakdown, at least until Kwagga got on. We need better cover for a specialist fetcher, especially on days when the Boks are not dominating the collisions like today

Lock (Loose side, No 5)

Nortje has been good. The lineouts have been improving with him starting matches, given what a shambles it was earlier in the year.

Lock (Blind side, No 4)

Eztebeth needs a rest. RJ Synman needs some chances to start matches.

Loose Head Prop

Ox is the best in the world, but we are still looking for a backup. Jan Hendrik Wesellers has been solid, but he also plays hooker

Hooker

At this stage, we only have Marx. We need a reliable backup to replace the past it Bongi

Blindside Head Prop

to be continued...

In some instances you are corr rect - but then you contradict yourself as to some players, I would definitely put Estrhuizen on the elderly list that must be eliminated, He played in 23 tests - but never played above poor to average level even on Franchise level, He is 31 yesr old and too slow mentally and physically to be effective on both physical and mental reactions.

The draw for the 2027 RWC and it is based on the ramking of teams on 1 December 2025 - in both the 2019 and 2023 RWC the rankings let SA to play the AB's in the Round Robin stage 2019 and Ireland in 2023. If we gdmble and lost the number 1 ranking we may be in asimilar situation in 2027.

It is not now the time to gamble and lose the ranking position - that can wait till next year with enough opportunities next year to prepare younger players. If they remain at Ranked 1 they will not end up with meeting higher ranked teams in the Round Robin stage and makes the met higher ranked teams in the Round Robin stage of the tournament.

So keep your emotions on ice until next year,

As long as the Boks remain in the top 3, they will not have to play the other top 2 teams before the quarters.

Historically, for 2019 and 2023, South Africa was ranked 5th and 4th, respectively, at the draws. This placed them in Band 2, which caused them to face top-4 ranked teams like New Zealand (2019) and Ireland (2023) during the pool stages

They should all retire, if you're 33 then you get the hook.

Only player still covering ground from the old guard is PTSD and Mars. Polly can stay, but need to work on his game breaking ability.

Rest should go.

I know, harsh, but true

Of the older players we need Kolbe, Pollard, Marx, Eben, Kolisi, PSDT and Kwagga on tour for the tests against France and Ireland

For the rest of the squad I’d go with the younger players, something along the lines of:

15 Fassi / Jordan Hendrikse

14/11 Kolbe / Arendse / Edwil vd Merwe / Tyrone Green / Horn

13 Moodie / Jurenzo Julius / Henco v Wyk

12 Willemse / Hooker / David Kriel

10 Sacha / Libbok / Pollard

9 Williams / vd Bergh / Papier

1 Ox / Steenkamp / Wessels / Mchunu

2 Marx / Dweba / AH Venter

3 Wilco / Thomas / Hanro Jacobs

4/5 Eben / RG / Cobus Wiese / Ruan Vermaak / Ruben v Heerden / JF v Heerden

6/7/8 Kolisi / Kwagga / PSDT / Vincent Tsituka / Elrigh Louw / Ruan Venter/ Jasper Wiese / Roos / Hanekom / Manu Tsituka

Na, the best player should be in the team regardless of age. Look at Deon Fourie in the last World Cup.

It just depends - a player like Eztebeth might not make it to the next World Cup, just because he has played more top-level games.

I dont mind if Rassie includes older players in the 2027 World Cup, but they must be the best in their position at the time. The reality is that "some" of the players in the team now will be past it by 2027 - it is just not clear which ones.

Using the EOYT would give the younger players experience in case they are first or second choice by the next World Cup. It also rests the older players to avoid overplaying them and giving them more of a chance to still be in the picture by 2027.

Deon Fourie is now 39. Apparently, Rassie still sees him as a Bok if he were fit. He may play for the Boks again.

These players are not producing form that is anywhere near an international standard.

Jordan Hendrikse

Tyrone Green

Horn

Henco v Wyk

Elrigh Louw

Dweba

KC

There is a problem with Pollard as well - he lost a lot of pace and is ivot role deteriorated badly. Even at present he is the th ird ranked flyhalf of the Springboks and Erasmus has Pollard on his coach development program with less emphasis of actually playing rugby. An objetuve analysis o he first AB test this year indicated that the weak links in the eam was Willie, Pollard and Williams. and that is where the team lost the match.

My problem is there is not an immediate third choice flyhalf and the youngster Dave refer to is deinitely like Shaca a star in the making - but by the WC in 2027 he would only be 19 years of age. Maybe se star perormnces at the enxt Under 20 RWC next year he hcan get to play franchise rugby in 2027 and test rugby then too. I t hink Pollard is definitely on he retirement list.

I share your viewpoints on the issue of 33 year old plus players be retained and believe that is whaty Erasmus are going to go through the pocess nect yer and in 2027. Players over 33 years of age must be t he exception to th e rule and must prove they still belong by top class performances. I t hink Kolbe may end up in t h belong case - but he had a mental meltdown in the last two tests and played silly buggers and not rugby. That would end up in him being eliminated if not corrected.

As ti the full back position I liked Green and possibly Hooker at either wing or full back - he is not physical enough to play at 12, Willemse is and probably the top candidate - but a back-up is essential and not clear at this stage, Asto 13 Moodie had a brainfart yesterday and I would like to see him go further - but think the top candidates at 13 are Kriel and Van Wyk

There is another top clas player by the name of Meyer contracted by the Stormers as a center - he may come through to the Springbok team in 2027.

I think the only loosies who are and remain a candidiate in 2027 and those are Wiese and Du Toit. There are some cnadidates cming through in the case of the Sharks - but t my mind the top two cndiates remain Hanekom and Roos.

At lock I think we have a real problem a lot of pretenders but no cleasr candidate. One of teh top class locks is the 29 earold Schickerling that played a massive Beast games in the 2 URC matches this year,

W have an overupply in props and hookers.

So who would proably b the captain in the RWC squad in 2027? If Du Toit remains compatative and in teh squad in 2027 h is he likely future captain - with Sacha as VP for the fuure,on in that role.

,

Duplication

Shark the fact that you cross out Green, Horn, Henco v Wyk and Elrigh Louw sums up your rugby knowledge

Rassie disposed of Dweba who proved he is not test standard.

Elirich Louw was given a chance, but he did not make the grade. Rassie dropped him, even when he was not injured.

Bullshit Elrigh Louw was very good at test level and was definitely not dropped by Rassie.

His injury stopped his selection with the Boks - fact

I never had Dweba as a mention - he is a good physical hooker who had throwing in issues which he has resolved

Elrigh Louw and Even Roos were both sent to the dog bin. Louw had a few decent tests, nothing spectacular. Roos was a bit better, but did not set the world alight- seemed to be on his own mission rather than following the team plan.

We need a Vermuelen that can do both what Louw and Roos do as well as compete at the breakdown.

Hanekom is the player who is needed at number 8. More all-around than Wiese.

South Africa struggles at the breakdown when they dont get front-foot ball.

I see Elrigh as being PSDT's replacement in the future, more so than BJD. If he can return to the form he was showing for the bulls before his injury he's a shoe in.

6 - Hanekom

7 - Louw

8 - Wiese

The more Keo pushes for Roos's inclusion the more I believe the theory that his father is a bit of a dick and putting pressure on coaches to pick him. Fuck that. Team first and what they require.

There's also others that could get a look in to see if they can make the step up. Hlekani at 7 and Paul de Villiers at 6.

I wouldn't touch the Hendrikse brothers with a 10 foot barge pole. They had their chances, they'll have to perform out of theirs skins do get back in.

What ever happened to Tyrone Green. Mike keeps talking about him. Quorn Horn is there and there about not setting the world alight.

I want to see the younger 4 locks get a chance like van Heerden or even the other Wiese brother, Cobus. He is not quite 200cm

At 7 we are just okay, we just need Louw to recover from his injury and then we have that junior bok Batho who is a beast. However, don't think he has the stamina. Saw him train with the boks and he was gassed after 5 minutes.

I think I would like to see these junior bok stars features this month and maybe they can get a crack at the boks end of year, if not, next year they can play for SA A against the Kiwis

PTSD didn't play last season, so his minutes is on par, but I agree, we only need him for France and Ireland. We have Japan, Italy and Wales to get the other players a chance

That's a dominant back three Xavi. Probably what I would pick too. Just a pity that Wiese is 29 already. Lol it's funny how Dawie does't rate Wiese yet the Boks are a shadow of themselves without him....haha.

I disagree about Roos though. It's not his fault if his dad is a doos. For me, I think he's a good enough player, and versatile enough in this hybrid era, that I'd have him around the squad for sure. I don't like how he thinks he is supposed to play the game, but I do think that with a few changes to the outcomes he's looking for, he could be a special player. I cant see him having any trouble doing what either Kolisi or PSDT do for the Boks atm. I think he has better hands, step and pace than Siya and that he has more go forward with ball in hand than PSDT. Unlike those guys, he can also do some work on the deck.

I still think that one of Dobbo's failures is allowing Roos to believe has to play the Hulk Smash game. He's a much better player than that.

The problem with Roos and Hanekom for that matter is the fact that they're hybrid linking players. We're never gonna replace Thor and with out that consistent wreck em Ralph ball carrier our attack doesn't quite click. Hanekom or Roos are gonna break the gainline sure but can they do it time after time. Get up, carry smash, get up carry again, smash over and over. I just don't see them lasting too long in the green n gold doing it every weekend for a season.

I give duh Allende a lot of shit but he does bulge the defensive line and Andre does aswell with their carries. Besides Wiese and those two who's gonna bend the line and we all would like to see Willemse at 12 so that even one less battering ram. Eben, PSDT, Marx all carry hard but they're not breaking through tackles or putting anyone on their arses anymore.

I want BOOMFAH and I want it from more than one ball carrier.

Mine would be

6 Hanekom

7 Elrigh Louw

8 Roos

Backed up by

6 Buthelezi

7 Vincent Tsituka

8 Manu Tsituka

Hanekom is currently the most Vermeulen-style loose forward in South Africa. He has the ability to play at Test level in all three back-row positions. Hopefully, he will overcome the frequent injuries that have hindered his progress.

Pieter-Steph du Toit was also highly injury-prone early in his career, but managed to overcome it. Goosen, on the other hand, remained injury-prone, injuring himself before a match after slipping while getting off the team bus.

@ Shark

He's close but no cigar. He is still young but can his body take that kind of trench punishment.

I'd want him in the tramlines not running into double tackle heavies.

Hanekom is nothing like Thor - Hanekom is quick agile and more athletic

Thor was a physical beast

Vermuelen actually used to be a very fast runner; his style of play also changed over the years - a bit like a boxer that adapts based on their age, from speed to power. He played the game tighter.

When Vermuelen first played at the Cheetahs and then the Stormers, he was very quick.

He got a bad leg injury, and he no longer had the same pace. He played the game a bit tighter as he got older.

He was also a very injury-prone player at the start of his career, hence why he did not get more caps given such a long career.