In my preferential order:
Jurenzo Julius
Ruben v Heerden
Ruan Vermaak
David Kriel
Vincent Tsituka
Manu Tsituka
Ethan Hooker
Nohamba
Henco v Wyk
JF v Heerden
Cobus Wiese
Hanro Jacobs
Ludwig
Tyrone Green
Francke Horn
Rickus Pretorious
Theunissen
Corne Rahl
Frans Klopper
Sadie
Tambwe
Morabe
Gumede
Zas
Nico Steyn
Masuku
Hartzenberg
Rassie is stuck with a massive problem, the pendulum has swung in favour of too many to pick from.
There's a real possibility that the best might not make the squad!
Yes very hard striking a balance between retaining the old and introducing the new
Over 8 years the relationship he will have built with some of the older players will not be easy to break
It’s a tough one as we have to move on
Well, he's on a hiding to nothing, no-one is going to be satisfied with his squad.
Dave
As the July tests are against weak opposition it will give Erasmus an opportunity to use new players, Another issue is that there are good younger players on franchise level - they may not be able to take up the tep to play on test level.
I am sure that by now Erasmus would hve a shortlist of about 45 players he intends to use this year,
An uncapped side:
15 David Kriel
14 Green
13 Julius
12 Hooker
11 Tambwe
10 Masuku
9 Nohamba
1 Matanzima
2 JJ Kotze
3 Hanro Jacobs
4 Ruan Vermaak
5 Ruben v Heerden
6 Manu Tsituka
7 Ludwig
8 Vincent Tsituka (c)
16 Mbatha 17 Boan Venter 18 Frans Klopper 19 JF v Heerden 20 Horn 21 Nico Steyn 22 Rickus Pretorious 23 Henco v Wyk
Georgia will smack that uncapped side six ways to Sunday.
Pakie trust you to be as pathetically negative as usual
You are utterly clueless - that is a good side that would beat Georgia
The Georgia team is a more settled unit ….
When this young team has more experience ( Game time Together), then they might have a better chance in beating them or any test team.
Also Masuku is definitely not ready for test level….
his Game Management for the sharks of late, was definitely not up to standard . Jurie Mathee is a much more solid choice at Pivot, ready for Test Rugby.
I would also start Henco as he has been a more consistent performer than JJ. Hooker deserves a chance also because of his consistent form.
But a Rikus Pretorius together with Henco is a very strong midfield to.
Boan Venter and Francois Klopper needs to start as they are both stronger at scrum time.
Dave have you watched our provincial teams' performances in the URC lately? So based on what will this hodge podge bunch of provincials beat a settled lower tier test side? But I'll meet you halfway and change Georgia to Italy...by 20+.
No way in hell would Henco start ahead of JJ, he is far far better
Masuku showed in his first season he has what it takes - Plumtree being the crap coach he is has shown little faith in Masuku this year which is piss poor
Mathee has no X factor at best solid - Masuku is far more gifted
Nothing between Hanro and Klopper I’m going Hanro
Jurie is a Far Far more stable Pivot. He also has enough playmaker skills.
X Factor is needed in the Backline, but at Pivot you need Dependability. Like Pollard.
Disagree Matthee looks a solid enough provincial player with no flair - not a test standard player
Pollard has everything - stability and plenty of attacking prowess
Well so far I have seen Jurie performing more consistent than Masuku ….
Not saying that Masuku is not talented, but his form is up and down….
if he can get his form on a more consistent level, then he might be a good candidate…
He is not getting game time under useless Plumtree - not that we see much of Matthee either
I’d take Masuku all day long