Springbok's 2018 Scorers & Assists

Kriel has scored quite a few, but his lack of vision was so evident in his failed burst for the line just before the half. Kolbe is unmarked on the outside. Sure, Kriel just about got there through three defenders, but a simple wide pass to Kolbe and it's a walk in.

Agreed. If he could distribute more, he'd be a very useful player. Of the two centres he has the most potential.

After the November England loss there was a shift towards 13. Maybe Rassie is in the process of another evolution. In fact, against Scotland and Wales, Damian had 2.9% and 1.9.% possession. A sharp dip from previous numbers. I think we could be seeing the beginning of the end of Damian. 

Pity the penny has taken so long to drop. Even Damian's firmest supporters, like Mike, has grown luke-warm in their support.

Pakie

You missed the plot completely.  Before the start of the season I said I do not favour De Allende at 12 - but I did defend him against the lies and misrepresentations of Mozart and AO. 

I always said for a while now the problem is we have no inside center better than him - Esterhuizen was a serial flop as well and both Janse van Rensburg and Vorster was off the boil this year.   I think and said that I would like to have seen Serfontein in the squad for the EOYT.

However, the inside center problem is far from solved.   I even referred to the unknown Impi Visser and said he should be watched when playing for the Blizbokke in the upcoming competition.    I also refer to Sage as a potential when playing for the Bulls at center next year in Super Rugby.  

We need a really performing 12 desperately and I hope something materializes next year before the WC selections are made. .            

I always said for a while now the problem is we have no inside center than him - 

Yes, and that's the problem. There ARE better than him. Pollard is better and he's a ten.

Nobody else has been given a chance, notes decent chance anyway. You wrote Esterhuizen off after his first two tests already. Obviously unless he got two MOTM awards in his first two games...There is just nobody else.

The logical thing to do is to look at SR or Europe and see which 12s have a better club record. 

There's enough. We only need one. 

If you think there are no better 12s available then it's pretty obvious that you have serious flaws in your understanding of what can be expected from a 12.

So really Mike, your defence just puts you in a deeper hole.

Plum

Sorry - moving Pollard to 12 was a serious problem - he lost the plot at 12 when it came to defense - some passes were poor as well.   Pollard was never a good enough player at 12 and is a flyhalf not a center. 

There were nothing showing anything better this year in Super Rugby and the only player I mentioned was Serfontein - with an outside chance of Venter being better as well.

No my friend the answer has not yet been found.   I am so desperate I even referred to Impi Visser and Sage to look at in future.   

So then I'm correct in saying your support for him has become luke-warm? Thanks for confirming.

Esterhuizen was pretty good this year. He's not perfect, but his tackling percentages were on par with Damian's while he is also a much more pro-active defender. Watch his defensive work against Australia, how he works to pressure the line. Still a bit of a blunt force option on attack but he certainly deserved more game time.