Roos injury not as bad as initially thought

That's good news....important to ease him back into action....not to spoil his chances for possible WC spot.

Good that his injury is not as bad we as thought, but his chances of being a key Bok at the WC are rather remote. We need to be realistic about what he has done on the test stage and what is best for the team. 

Well maybe we see different things...I see a explosive 8 that works great off the back of the scrum...good linking player and good defender....granted he did not have the best off starts on the Bok level...but improved already.

Agreed Saffex. Jasper Wiese went from crap to slightly above average and that's probably all he'll ever be. Same as Francois Louw or Warren Whiteley. None of them bad players by any means but none are/were more than a stopgap until someone with real skill and flair comes along. Both Evan Roos and Dan du Preez are far more talented and they've shown it on a regular basis. 

I know Rassie has never been a big fan of the du Preez twins but goodness knows why he hasn't recognised Roos's potential yet. Now it could be too late. Even if the injury is less serious, he still won't be in the frame for the next few Springboks tests so won't get the chance to go above Wiese in the pecking order. Roos should have had far more opportunities by now and I believe he would have proven himself and been an automatic choice by now.

It's almost a certainty now that we'll go the RWC with Wiese as the starting #8 and Duane on the bench. We could do worse. Wiese is a hard player who always tests defenders and his tackling has been excellent. I don't think he'll let the Boks down but he just doesn't have the pace or the skills to give the Boks the kind of attacking edge that might make the difference between winning the RWC and losing it.

Maybe we're wrong. There have been times in games when Wiese has made me sit bolt upright on attack but it's usually just a tackle bust that creates space which he then doesn't use particularly effectively. 

Listen to the angry horde try to talk rugby. Wiese was right out of the gate our best carrier in a Lions series where our pack took a beating on the gainline. His defence ranks as the best of every Bok since 2021. So that's guaranteed front foot ball, and rock solid defence. But, Mrs Searle and Saffex are diminishing his unquestionable production, because they have to angle their blue-eye in. Roos was battered by the Welsh and coasted against England. Another false dawn. 

So what if he was Battered?? All the best in our Squad were battered at some point  when they started off and still do...Part of the game....to claim that because of 1 game or even 2 that he is not test Quality, is short sighted....Wiese did not have a ideal start either....causes to many penalties and his discipline is not what it should be as seen again off late....no doubt that he is good player, but it took some time @ Bok Level  for him to improve to where he is now.....we all have our favourites, but let us not loose sight of what is best for the team.

Roos isn't even close to the physicality of Wiese. Show me where this is evident in any test. Give me a reference. How can he be twice the player Wiese is when he literally doesn't have half the production of Wiese. You keep making these kneejerk emotional childlike statements Saffex, and it always blows up in your face. If we take Roos on last year's showings, he should be dropped never to return. His debut is not even remotely close to that of Wiese. 

Gerber to Jacobs? Well that doesn't say very much considering you rated JJ better than the great man. 

I'd like to know if there are names that we all agree would be in our best starting pack...

I think these are players everyone agrees on. 

Marx

Eben

RG

Then, Roos looks like another...if you excuse his lack of experience.

For me, Kwagga and Wiese are on that list too.

ButtPlug, you have three #8s in your starting pack.

I know

...shall i give you some time or can you figure out the rest on your own?

Well ButtPlug, if you're happy to experiment with two players out of position in a RWC and if you're naive enough to think that we'll create a political shit-storm by dropping our captain (for someone who doesn't even play in his position) then no, I don't need more time . . . but you sure need a reality check.

I'm talking about players that we all agree on...you nonse.

I added my two at the end...under "for me".

I didn't mention the WC or whether it was realistic. 

Stop trying so hard!

Oh I see, so this would be your fantasy side to play against a team like . . . ummm . . . Meton for example? Okay then . . . dream away.

Eat a dick

The mutual respect that posters have for each other on this forum.... is just so heart warming to see.....

Keep it up gents....

Hell you guys are funny....

Kwagga is the number one difference maker in the team. Nobody else in SA can replicate what he brings. 

Wiese is out only guaranteed front foot ball, playing the role Steph has failed at for years. His defence is immaculate. 

Eben is our premier lock in the absence of RG. He is also our only test calibre leader. 

Pollard is our best 10 by a long way. Therefore he is a must. 

Am is our only test quality 13.

Willie is the only playmaker in SA. 

These are the only names that are irreplaceable. 

"Eben is our premier lock in the absence of RG."

I like RG, but up till now he's only been potential with very little delivery ...in more than 4 years...Eben should have been WR POTY this past 2 seasons running...and probably would have been if not for Rassie-Gate...basically the Bok captain too...RG has a lot to do before he can even be mentioned in the same breath as Eben.

Not for last season, but Eben has been very good before that. Consistently good, which few players ever achieve at this level. 

At this point in time, that loose trio would literally be the weakest any Bok side has ever fielded in all the years I have been alive, at least.

It only took about 6 years for some guys here to notice Kwagga...

Meaning Wiese should get some respect in about 5.5 years.