Springbok team for Scotland Announced

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Grant Williams.  

Rassie is playing mind games again. Normally he's early with his team annuncements but he's delaying this one until the last minute. 

He has to submit the team by 18h10 this evening and my guess is he'll announce it just before the deadline. Makes me think he might be springing some kind of surprise.

Not sure what to make of this team but there are no Japanese based players in this team. Wonder if they are still in Japan or if Rassie just want to keep his real team fresh for next weekend. My only problem is the bench is filled with forwards. 

I would feel more comfortable if our defence was better, but it has been really poor this season. 

No recognise backup to Pollard at 10. I would have gone with at least 2 backs. 

Looks like it is going to be forward dominated and they starting with Tostert who hasn't played since July. 

Erasmus is a very brave man ielding that team - especially insce they have serious duuds staring nd there is no real backline bak-ups if players fail and  especially if that dunb muscle fail again as he id against Portugal.   

Van Staden is by far the worst call. He almost single-handedly lost us the Argie game. I have concerns about Mapimpi as well. But let's see what happens.

I don't get the fascination with Van Staden...he never impressed me, not even at provincial level.

7/1 bench again…..with 3 loosies on the bench if you count Dud Toit as a loosie. Have we ever had a 3 loosie bench I wonder.

"... if you count Dud Toit as a loosie. ..."

Lol!

Actually I suspect he’s a lock sub for this game…hence the comment. Why would I ever question any er.. loosie who makes one turnover a season?

Except Itoje did it twice last Saturday.

Disco-dassie on his wi ndgat wagon again.

Mostert back...excellent.

1. Ox Nche - I prefer him off the bench, but he is a good starter as well
   
   
2. Bongi Mbonambi - We need to be trying out new hookers, he will not make the next WC.
   
   
3. Thomas du Toit - I don't believe he is a tighthead. He was always a better loosehead scrummager and gets more involved in the game when 
   
   
4. Eben Etzebeth - Still in his prime. 
   
   
5. Franco Mostert  - Given he broke his leg, is he the best starter?
   
   
6. Marco van Staden - A player that promised much, but delivered little
   
   
7. Elrigh Louw  - Good to give him game time at 7, in addition to eigthman. 
   
   
8. Kwagga Smith - Not a starter, especially in Northern Hemisphere conditions. Wiese should have started.
   
   
9. Jaden Hendrikse - A good starter, solid - does the basics well
   
   
10. Handré Pollard  - He is more suited to the slower pitches than Libok. He appears past his best - but still good in tight games with little space.
    
    
11. Makazole Mapimpi -  I don't see the point of playing him, he will not make it to the next World Cup. Anyone that is not a first-choice player at that age, needs to be phased out.
    
    
12. André Esterhuizen - He has still delivered his best at the test level. Hopefully, he gets into the game early on. It would have been good to see how well he combines with Sasha or even Libok on his inside. 
    
    
13. Lukhanyo Am - Has been relatively slow to get back to form, but his most recent game looked good.
    
    
14. Canan Moodie - After his catastrophic errors on defence against the All Blacks, he is fortunate to be starting. 
    
    
15. Willie le Roux - Still an excellent player. I would prefer him as a bench option for when the game opens up at the end.
    
    

Replacements:

1. Malcolm Marx - He is playing well- but not at the peak of his game
   
   
2. Gerhard Steenekamp - Improving with more game time, decent backup so far. 
   
   
3. Vincent Koch - Time to get rid of the ginger ninja. He is too old. He is not a first-choice player, so rather a blood new player on the bench to test them.
   
   
4. RG Snyman - His recent games for Leinster looked like he is back to top form.
   
   
5. Siya Kolisi - Less effective on slower dryer pitches.
   
   
6. Pieter-Steph du Toit - Surprised to see him benched, but I suppose they need to test backup players in the 7th spot. This gives Louw a chance to get experience at 7.
   
   
7. Jasper Wiese - It makes no sense to start him, and bring Kwagga off the bench instead. Wisese knows northern hemisphere conditions. 
   
   
8. Grant Williams - Very good of the bench. Perhaps not the best starter in wet conditions