Firstly we have a very good coaching regime in place. Injuries and NH commitments were seamlessly accomodated as players were rotated. Issues were quickly resolved....for example the scrumming deficit against the Worlds was turned into a point of strength a week later. Youngsters all came through the experience well, because they were exposed at a time, and in a way they could handle.
In terms of players....Willie confirmed his "special player" status. The new Campese, he gives us a weapon which changes the team.
Habana, Morne and F du Preez all showed they can still compete. Pienaar is still a good bench choice, covering 3 positions well
JP adapted well to the outside centre berth....an Umaga like move.
Among the young backs, Mvovo looked great against weak opposition....but he did before and failed. I think he is a better player now but only the RC will tell. Goosen is obviously a major risk....unlikely to ever settle in the Bok 10 jersey. Especially because Pollard is now the putative successor. Cornel is a test wing with good vision.
As far as Serf is concerned....he tries very hard. But is simply not fast, elusive or strong enough to test top defences.
In the forwards Vermeulen was huge in every game. Schalk was excellent yesterday and Louw was superb. Alberts had a quiet, injury plagued series....Schalk may get the nod for the RC...with Alberts as a lock/flank sub. Coetzee is the forwards version of Serf....a trier who simply doesn't have the one thing to make him special.
In the locks everybody did well....Bakkies (MOM against the Worlds), Victor, Lood.....and even Flip apart from his penalties. HM has done a brilliant job of letting the veterans motivate the young chaps. Etzebeth if fit and Victor look like a possible starting pair.
In the hookers the Brits myth produced little again and Bismarck/Strauss are the ticket.
Props are the concern. Jannie remains a rock. But Coenie and Marcell looked out of their league at tighthead....and then Coenie flopped at loosehead and got hurt again. Gurthro was a force in the scrums and looks a likely starter in the RC. I'm worried about this disk thing that the Beast now has. Scrumming against Heyman will not have caused it....but it can't have helped.
In all, a lot of fun with good results. The coaches will be delighted....they have created several very useful new options and demonstrated the viability of some of our veterans. We played Willie rugby....which is gloriously fast and imaginative. It was a joy to watch.
