Picking a Bok to make a test saving open field tackle....

...I'd choose Hougaard first, then Aplon, next De Jongh and finally Lambie. I would not choose Basson, Kirchner, Mvovo, Olivier or JJ. Aplon in particular has made some brilliant open field tackles in the last line of defence.

The high ball is a legitimate concern with Aplon, although he does remarkably well. It's not a concern for de Jongh who plays centre.

I'm finding it hard to accept defence as the issue that disqualifies these test proven players....when the guys they are replaced with are serial tackle botchers.

Once again the chance to unite around a Bok team and coach is lost. Probably for the next four yeras. Unnecessarily one might add.

Dr Moz, the picture hopefully is not as dark as you paint. Yes there is evidence of blue tinted glasses but Meyer is just starting and hopefully he will grow to put the Boks first. Also there is going to be some sifting of players.

I expect a heap of Stormers forwards to come through in the next few years for the Boks. Meyers allegiance and emotional strings to all that is blue will hopefully diminish with time.

Lets give the man a little space to do his thing. He has enough good players in the squad to pick a good match 22. Stormers would have had six players but for injury. I think forwards of 20 /21years old are a bit young for test rugby.Even Etzebeth could be kept back to next year?  Our backs have not scored the tries and that has to have affected Meyers view of them. I dont agree with all his picks and even leaving out brussouw altogether yet picking daniels is not on.

Man with Quinton Roux doing well I cannot wait to see a full strength Stormers pack. It would chew up a pack selected from the rest of SA. With Etzebeth and Roux we would be perilously close to the magic 940 kg. An unstoppable force.Watch out next year. We may just get a glimpse of it this year if Shalk and Duane get fit.

What Beans said. You pretty much summed up my thoughts on the matter.

 There is no place for little guys in test rugby, I know it, Meyer knows it - its time you got with the modern trend. These little guys cant impose themselves physically both on attack or in defence. Modern test rugby needs skill and physicality........having one and not the other is a big no, no

 Well...unless the've had a topless spread in mens health magazine right Dave...

JP already won this contest blokes versus Fiji remember?

Saffex mentioned Quinton Roux as a lock.  He was pathetic last night for the Juniors.   Line outs was a huge piece oif rubbish.    I Have no problem with the defence of De Jong - on attack he is absolutely useless - that is my problem with him.   Aplon is better on attack - he is not a carthorse like Pietersen - who is painfully slow nowadays.    Is he not the one that went through a whole Super 14 season without scoring a single try because of lack of speed?

My problem with size is that the bigger players are clueless about rugby and they get coached in a way that add to the stupidity.   Meyer must be very, very careful.   He could find that his team selection costs him his job.   If we lose the English series - highly likely - he would be in severe trouble.   But then there would be an easy explanation.   Captaincy not up to standard and Jean gets the blame - not the mindless back line players.