This time last year I was raving about Etzebeth as a Baby Bok. Steph du Toit has made the same impression Eben did. This kid is the real deal and I reckon we might have unearthed the longterm Bok partner for Etzebeth. He busts tackles at will, has a massive work rate, puts in the big hits and is skilled enough to play 7.
This lad has Bok written all over him. He is 19 and at 2m and 117kg, has some growing to do
Yep...
Afraid I'm going to have to agree with Saffex yet again.
PSD also looks like the real deal.
Along with Eben and Bam Bam Willemse.... the Bok lock department looks set for the next few years.
But one thing I'm still coming to terms with is the depth at 10 that we now have.
Goosen, Lambie, Jantjies, Pollard... all realy fantastic ball players!
When last did we have 4 to choose from!
Hell... when last did we have 1 to choose from???
Chippo,
We actually have five to choose from, you forgot....
Grant!
He must be taking after his grandfather - the great Springbok Prop Piet du Toit. However - he looks as hard as nails and should perhaps also have been nominated as player of the tournament. I think the real stars in the final was serfonetin and him.
I would like to mention that I was more impressed with Du Toit than I ever was with Mattfield - this youngster has the X-factor - a real champion of the future.
We have a wonderful squad of youngsters around to choose from and looking at the future I am picking the following players - all under 22 for the positions as indicated:-
15 - Lambie
14 - Howard
13 - Taute
12 - Serfontein
11 - Jordaan
10 - Goosen
9 - Van Der Walt
8 - Elstadt
7 - Du Toit
6 - Coetzee
5 - Roux
4 - Etzebeth
3 - Malherbe
2 - Pretorius
1 - Kitshoff
That leaves out a number of youngsters that could also be in the frame in future. It was difficult to find only players for two positions - that of scrummie and no 8 - but in future there are going to be stiff competition for those two positions as well. Had to move Elstadt there and kep Coetzee at 6 and keep Du Toit at 7 - to allow for another top contender in Roux at lock. That team has the potential of being real world beaters and would even give the present SA team a hard time. Many are only 19 years old - what would they be like in another 2 years time?
Fully agree Du Toit is an outstanding prospect. Dont forget young Elstadt either. Man seldom have we had such a cop coming through.
Snapster I have to admit you know your junior rugby even if youn dont know your senior rugby. Hahahahahahahha.
The nz oaks must be wetting themselves as its quite clear their days are numbered.
It did me good to see this baby Bokke pack giving it big time to the nz oaks. To complete my year I want to see a full Stormers pack crushing the crusties - which they are quite capable of doing if at full strength.
I sense even the most backward of oaks are begining to realise the essential need for a Bok power pack of athletes. The likes of matfied etc will soon be a bad dream never to be repeated.
AJ we do have a rich store at flyhalf. Of them all Goosen looks to have greatness stamped on him although I I think Lambie is also a class act.
Pollard is very young and is a cool customer. How good an athlete is he? Jantjes is an exciting player and one hopes he finds a spot somehwere if Lions are demoted. Come to WP!
Beeno - How could I forget about Elstadt - my memory is fading in old age. OK lets look at the team again. Have Coetzee at 6 and put Elstadt at 8. I have not forgotten about Jantjies - but at this stage I put Pollard ahead of him. So if they want a support flyhalf for the Stormers - make sure that Pollard stay around. Jantjies is a definite for the Queens - but that could cost him dearly in terms of his career possibilities.
Will anyone of the forwards - bar Coetzee, the props and the hooker - be less than 6"8" aand come it at a weight of less than 115 kgs?
I did not forgot about Van Wyk as prop either - after that scrum he would also be in the mix - but I put Malherbe at this stage ahead of him.
Mike I am just suggesting Elstadt should be in the mix.
What we should hink of doing s creating a team from all the young guys who arre not in the bok set up and build them into a team that gets a chance to tour and where Meyer and Rassie set the guidelines so they fit seemlessy into the Bok playing style.
We are entering into a great period of Bok history and we must use these talents wisely.
Beeno - I made the adjustment in respect of Elstadt at 8 and put Coetzee back at 6 - him being the midget amongst the locks and loosies only at 6"3". His weight is 115 kgs - so that is in order.
Your suggestion as to put that team together and let them tour is excellent. They could play Argentina, Scottland, ireland, France and the South Sea teams and thus build them into a unit of massive potential. That would not be done though - SA Rugby is far too shortsighted for that and they would plead lack of sponsorship. Perhaps they should play the B-teams of the countries menetioned - bar the South Sea Islanders - since the overseas countries will not co-operate. The Unions will also scream murder since the players are part of their provincial teams and would leave major gaps - especially the Stormers who would loose their props.
Mike Elstadt is 118kg and is 1.98 meters. But I think he is probably going to be a 7.
The under Locks are also not bad at all.
Man all we need is some smart management. with meyer and rassie dealing with the seniors and Theron and Venter the juniors we may hve just that. They must just work together.
Saffex
I am waiting for your comment on the above. Please comment
Mike looking to the future we have some really exciting options. I'd look at those that are under 25
15. Lambie/ Ulrich Beyers
14. Jordaan/ Sithole
13. Taute / Howard
12. Frans/ Jan Serfontein
11. JJ.Engelbrecht/ Mjekevu
10. Goosen/ Jantjies
9. v/Zyl/ Duvenhage
1. Kitshoff / M.v/d Merwe
2. Bismark/ Mbonambi
3. Coenie/ Malherbe
4. Etzebeth/ Roux
5. Steph du Toit/ JA Marais
6. Kolisi/ Ardendorff
7. Elstadt/ CJ Stander
8. Coetzee/ Arno Botha
We have no young hookers about, so I'd stick with Bismark until someone put their hand up
Dont know much about him, but he does not look very athletic, gives it a full go, but I dont see him progressing to Super 15 level.......reminds of Wepner of the Bulls or Bezuidenhout of the Lions
We have a great group of young players and there are a handful of class ones I left out like wings - Rhule, le Roux, centres - Dries Swanepoel, Frans Venter, Sadie, Whitehead, v/Wyk, JP du Plessis, flyhalves - Pollard, Swiel, Fouche, props - F.Kirsten, R.deKlerk, Nkanyane, Kebble, locks - Willemse, Ruan Botha, Bresler, Oosthuizen, J.du Plessis, loosies - Carr, Koster, v/d Walt, Strauss
Well from what I saw Pretorius look a prospect but he needs the size factor of course.
Another one is Small Smith who has a very good head on him and a good turn of speed and iIsee you also mention Rhule who may show something.
Yes Small-Smith is a good prospect
Hear hear for Klein spiere du Toit
