Ethan Hooker, what a boytjie

Anyone that watched yesterday game between the Sharks and Bools would have seen this player on the wing for the Sharks. I don't know why they put him on the wing for the useless over the hill venter. 

I mentioned this kid before. I think he is exactly the kid Rassie is looking for. Has serious pace, scrambled extremely well in defence and has a wonderful engine that just keeps going. 

Standing at 1.95 cm and coming in at 98kg. Can hold his own. 

He can play in 12 and 13 with comfort and we saw he can cover wing too. A lot like Kriel from the bulls, but to me he is even better. He has that extra gas that Kriel don't have.

He did have one mark against his name when Cameron Hannekom swerved around him with is and beat him for pace. Hannekom should be another thread all by himself too. 

Then, he has the luxury of having Jurenzo Julius at 13. Another player coming through in this year's currie cup. 

But what a player 

Chippo 

I do not thnk w have many back that ca play in vaious positions such  as Shaca, Hooker, Fasie  and  Willemse and that make the more useful in test rugby/   

What I liked about the stuation is that we  have a real problm coming to the fore and that is at flyhalf.   With all due respect Pollard is slowly fading out and we need a kicker that can deal with kicks at goal.

If Shaca play at inside center we have Willemse on flyhalf - although I think Willemse will be better at inside center.   

In the main we have many options and that is a huge advantage for the Springboks.

My new backline wll be a follows:-

15     Fassie

14     Arendse

13     Moodie

12     Willemse

11     Hooker

10     Shaca

9       Williams

However even the above  would have other challengers as well.   Let me explain - what Kolbe said the youngsters set an example as to gym work for seasoned people to compete against - but there are other youngstes that compete with the above as well,   .   

From a space pespective it would be he fastest backline  the Sringboks ever had wih physically strong players as well.

The situation in he loosie Department is also looking good as well.    None of the youngstes are there and with Du Toit - still the best loosie in the world and  likely to last thrugh to 2027 - we do not need the dumb muscle players like Wiese and  Van Staden.  There are Dixon, Louw, Hanekom and even Venter around as well.

Any names you would like to add. to the player pool already called scary by the NZ commentators?

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Nice one Mike, if you were to select a young backline under 25 or close to, then yes. Williams is all ready 27. Fassi is great a full back but I would move him to wing and move Willemse to 15 where he has been playing for the boks. I would almost keep Moodie on the wing to make room for Jorenzo Julius, that is if he can proof himself. 

9. Jaden Hendrikse

10. Sasha

11. Moodie

12. Hooker

13. Jurenzo

14. Fassi (26 already 29 at World Cup and 33 at the following one)

15. Willemse (26 Already, same as Fassi) 

But I think in 3 years time this backline would be about 24 average age and only Fassi and Willemse close to 30, but it is okay because we saw what Frans and Willie did by heaving an older head to guide them. 

I don't think they will make the next World Cup cycle, but I would definitely like to see some of them in the WC squad. 

But this is a core backline player that can cover a few positions, especially a centre that can play both 12 and 13. Then you have Willemse that can cover 10, 12 and 15. Sasha Is the same. Julius and Hooker can cover 13 as well as wings. Not to mention Moodie that can play 15, Wings and 13. 

Kriel, AE and AM are all 30 and will be 33 at the next World Cup. Dud is about 33 now and probably be pushing 36. We saw Rassie willing to play Steyn at the World Cup. But I don't think too much time should be invested in Dud. Yes, he got MoM against the ABs but there will be games in the future where he might become off the pace and has already shown how poor he is with passing. He is effective as a battering ram. I do think teams need that type of backline payer, create an axis for X factor players to play off. But you can't have 6 out of 7 all wanting to play globe trotter rugby. Right now our balance is 3 solid player like Pollard, Dud and Kriel. We have Kolbe and Arendse using the space etc. Not to mention Willemse at 15. 

KC

Steyn basscally played in one Staring match in 2019 and sometimes he came from the bench if he em ha effectively won he match already - eg like in the final/.   He was more in the team as a mentor.   The same was te case wih Brits at 38 as well.    The only backlie players  cn see potentialy going through t the 2027 WC are in fact Am, De Alende and Kolbe - but that will depend enirely on their performances in 2026 and 2027.   Something  tells me Polllard will also be around as a mentor of the younger players.   I will be surprised if he starts against  Argentina  - he may be on the bench.   

Pollard was replaced rather early in he second AB test and after he went the backline of the Springboks beeame better..

By the way I saw a list of players being te top 10  number  12 players in the world with Jordie Barrett be the number 1 12 in the world and De Allende number 2'  I  do not rate Jordie as the best 12 n the world and I believe Esterhuizen rated as number 6 is better than he is.   But the list was compiled by a New Zealnd source and their main complaint about De Allende is that he is a pain in the arse for the New Zealand team according to their comments as to the player ratings.

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Dave

Rassie has the authoritiy to act to prtect players in ffanchises like s the cse of the wo players you mentiond.   He cana llocate them to oher franchises  ensure they ge enough playing time and develop as future Springboks.

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mike, do you want to please type that in English?

Trust me Chippo, translating from Shitoric into English doesn't make a big difference.

There were reports on contracing by the various franchises and the ne rule agreed to is that Erasmus can arrange for playes wih an excess of players in positions to othr ranchises who encoune shorages,   

Take for instance the case of Shaca - at the begining of 2023 that the Lions has siged an agreement with Shaca o play for the Lions - i never materialized and Shaca was then contracted by the Stormers in tems of Erasmus wishes,    ,