So, with all of these discussions of 2015 and other years as far back as 2004, I think the best way to move on is ask ourselves, who are the group of players that are going to form the spine of the team for the next few years? What did we learn from the England series and what are our expectations of the Rugby Championship?
Certs: Marx, Kitshoff, Eben(is he ever gonna play again?), Faf, Pollard, Dyanti, Willie.
Maybes: Nkosi, JL Dups, Willemse, R Dups, Venter(we've forgotten about him), Duane(how full is the tank)PSDT, Louw, Snyman, Kwagga(Because Heart), Roelof Smit, Wise
Whitely should also be there but it looks like his body is giving up.
Dayimani is one for the future i think. We've seen to o little of him to know exactly where he should play but the guy has pace(More than Habana had)is above 100kg and from what i've seen defends reasonably solidly. Thank goodness he's receiving good coaching and playing for an actual team instead of a bunch of posers/Bulls haha.
You will of course notice that neither DDA or Kriel are anywhere near my list. Just wish i could erase them from my memory too.
Kriel is not a natural centre and 13 is the hardest defensive position to play. In ZA the priority is to run. I don't know if he could be worked on and we see an improvement. He isn't stupid though. But I don't like the idea of retreading players for 13.
Damian just doesn't have it between the ears. That's his biggest problem. He doesn't learn from experience. We can talk about coaching, but a person should be learning from experience too.
My certs are Marx, Beast, Faf, Pollard, Willie. I think the half backs are the strongest back line positions we have. Kolisi thrives in certain kinds of games, kind of like Krige (bad New Zealand memories).
Plum
Who is Wise? For the rest I agree with you in the main.
You left out Akker, Combrink and also Schickerling
By the way Vermeulen played two tests - in the second he was very good and in the third he vanished. That is a very prevalent situation insofar as NH club players are concerned. They do not meet the fitness levels they need for tests - especially played on a weekly basis/ At 32 years of age I think the tank is becoming empty.
I can remember Du Preez had the same problem in 2014. Played excellently one test and a week later vanished. In Japan teams play only fortnightly and not every week - so the fitness levels go down - especially after 30 years of age.
Du Preez played well in 2014. And 2015. Let me guess, he is another player you don't like.
BS
"You left out Akker, Combrink and also Schickerling"
Combrink should had a clean run since his first selection but that injury screwed him over.
Easily one of or best backs. I'd add him.
Akker is such such a great worker but 2 is a quota spot so with Marx back I can't see Akker getting in. Not with Bongi and RoidBooi there.
Shickerling won't get a shot any time soon. Unless there are injuries galore. Not that he's a bad player.
Plum
Willemse? I think Schickerling is going to come in sooner than you think - a clever player with ball skills. As hard a worker as Snyman is - but better as a thinking and ball skills player/Wise = Wiese
Us souties can't spell Die Taal so lekker always
If we get this little rugby talk during July then OMG November is gonna be a bitchfest of note.
Cumon guys...
Who are your core Boks?
