I have gone through every player in the list. As they say, form is temporary and class is forever. That said, we have a lot of players in the squad their on reputation. Many had few minutes of test rugby and some have also not been there for their clubs either. When you look at the top teams, you see all the big names like Depont, Sexton, Ringrose to name a few performing for both club and country. If anything, they are even better at club. Ntmak and Depond are insanely good for their clubs.
Yet at the boks, we have have players playing in 3 different continents. A 3rd or our key players has taken early pension in Japan. Here is my ratings and why.
On average, our team form is 5.6. It has showed in our performance to date and by now we should know who our 1 and 2's are. I'm afraid to say but based on what I have seen, it will be a short World Cup.
My opinion may change if the boks blow both Wales and NZ in the next two World Cup warm up games, but you can't read too much into those. They are desperate for confidence boosters but losing two games before the World Cup could mean a pool exit. If I was New Zealand I would be salivating at the prospect of beating the boks 3 times in one year and not take my foot off.
The boks have shown that they can handle a fast pace game at the start or if teams come back in the 2nd half at them. To many points conceded in 20 min and their concentration isn't there. On average the bleed 17 points in a space of 20 min. The need to stop this faster.
Joseph Dweba
Hooker
25 October 1995 (age 27)
3
Stormers
5
5
His general play is fine, but his scrumming and line out throw has been really poor. Cost the Stormers a lot of momentum and count himself lucky. He did better for the boks, but as a hooker, you have to hit your jumpers
Deon Fourie
Hooker
25 September 1986 (age 36)
5
Stormers
5
7
Not a hooker, he didn’t feature that much for the stormers, but had one super cameo off the bench for the boks against aus, but just gave away too many penalties against Argentina. Never been tested against the best. Shouldn’t be there
Malcolm Marx
Hooker
13 July 1994 (age 29)
61
Kubota Spears
7
9
I though Marx did well for the boks but still suffering from ring rust. His name kept popping up in the top league high lights. But it is Japan.
Bongi Mbonambi
Hooker
7 January 1991 (age 32)
58
Sharks
6
6
I don’t think Bongi been bad, but he is getting on in years and not as fit, limited game time at the sharks
Thomas du Toit
Prop
5 May 1995 (age 28)
17
Sharks
6
6
Been shifting between tight and loose, solid player and our best 3rd choice prop in both positions, can play an entire game
Steven Kitshoff
Prop
10 February 1992 (age 31)
74
Stormers
7
8
The Stormers scrum and his general play around the park is what sets him apart, did well for the boks, but feel he was over used and travelled way to much during the test window.
Vincent Koch
Prop
13 March 1990 (age 33)
44
Stade Français
6
?
Very good scrummager, solid around the park, lost his club, limited game time. Is he a starter, no
Frans Malherbe
Prop
14 March 1991 (age 32)
61
Stormers
5
7
Had a few belly flops in the test, our scrum wasn’t that dominant, but probably because he has Orie behind him. Did well at the stormers. I real anchor in the scrum and you can see the difference when he is not there
Ox Nché
Prop
23 July 1995 (age 28)
19
Sharks
0
6
Ox started the season well, but had a number of interruptions. No international form to speak of, risk, may only last 20 min
Trevor Nyakane
Prop
4 May 1989 (age 34)
60
Racing 92
5
?
Trev general play was fine, his scrumming was fine, nothing negative, but 34 and not sure how much fit he is
Lood de Jager
Lock
17 December 1992 (age 30)
66
Saitama Wild Knights
3
?
Completely bombed in the first test, not sure what his form is like in Japan. When he is fit, a few matches under his belt, yes. He would be fine.
Eben Etzebeth
Lock
29 October 1991 (age 31)
112
Sharks
8
9
What a player he is, just a different beast for the sharks when fit. Doesn’t need game time, immediate impact for both the Sharks and Boks. Our best player by a mile. But we need 5 more players like him
Jean Kleyn
Lock
26 August 1993 (age 29)
1
Munster
7
9
He was really solid for the boks, never let us down and rightfully included. The reason why Munster won.
Franco Mostert
Lock
27 November 1990 (age 32)
64
Mie Honda Heat
3
?
Oh, don’t get me started on him. His name didn’t pop up in Japan. Terrible as a 7, did better at lock, but give us no physical hard edge
Marvin Orie
Lock
15 February 1993 (age 30)
13
Stormers
4
4
Useless for the stormers, between him and Dwebe, they lost so many line outs, no steals to speak of, looks good when he touches the ball and pass, but doesn’t do the real work. Shouldn’t be there
RG Snyman
Lock
29 January 1995 (age 28)
26
Munster
6
8
Had some decent cameos, want to see him play a full match. Made some mistakes on defence and handling errors. Did well for Munster when he came on.
Jean-Luc du Preez
Loose forward
5 August 1995 (age 28)
13
Sale Sharks
6
8
Little time in the green and gold, but did well in his 20 min that he played in. Way more effective than Mostert
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Loose forward
20 August 1992 (age 30)
69
Toyota Verblitz
6
?
Been playing at 10, his team made the finals. Solid at the back, main creator for the boks, but shaky under the high ball, doesn’t have his pace anymore to get around players
Siya Kolisi (c)
Loose forward
16 June 1991 (age 32)
75
Sharks
0
9
Before his injury he was on fire, been out for several months and not right to drop him straying into test rugby, thinking he will win the world cup. Not an Eben
Evan Roos
Loose forward
21 January 2000 (age 23)
4
Stormers
6
6
He had some injuries that kept him out, did well against his first game against Connacht but the then struggled with more injuries and less impact. Was asked to play 7 and limited game time. Got over the white wash twice, not shy of contact
Kwagga Smith
Loose forward
11 June 1993 (age 30)
33
Shizuoka Blue Revs
4
?
A bit part players, doesn’t have a real position. Been playing 8 in Japan. Don’t think he had any impact for the boks. Only showed up in the last 10 min when the game was lost against the all blacks
Marco van Staden
Loose forward
25 August 1995 (age 27)
12
Bulls
7
5
Was really poor filling the shoes of Marcel Coetzee, struggled in a poor season for the bulls. Test against Australia was to drawer but average in his 2nd test against the bargies
Duane Vermeulen
Loose forward
3 July 1986 (age 37)
66
Ulster
6
6
Put a decent season in for Ulster, more of a ruck inspector these days. Carried hard, lost a lot of pace, not so many ball steals but really solid as a ball carrier and leader
Jasper Wiese
Loose forward
21 October 1995 (age 27)
21
Leicester Tigers
5
8
Continue to be a talisman for Leicester. Amazing try from 22m out to bump of several defenders on his way to the try line. They call him the transporter, does have off loading skills, but not permitted under Rassie. Really poor against NZ redeemed himself in the final test. So my average is a 5 because he didn’t perform when it matters.
Faf de Klerk
Scrum-half
19 October 1991 (age 31)
48
Yokohama Canon Eagles
6
?
Apparently they named a dish after him in Japan. No idea how well he played. He is all heart, tenacious of the boks, but still kick too much ball away and doesn’t have the sniping and pace of a Williams.
Jaden Hendrikse
Scrum-half
23 March 2000 (age 23)
12
Sharks
0
6
Up and down season at the sharks, sometimes looks half asleep, but very clever player and catches a lot of defenders napping with his clever passing and grubber kicks. No game time of the boks. Shouldn’t be on the plane, He should have played more games.
Herschel Jantjies
Scrum-half
22 April 1996 (age 27)
22
Stormers
5
5
He has been terrible for the Stormers all season, can count himself lucky. Not much better for the boks. Good he is not on the plane
Cobus Reinach
Scrum-half
7 February 1990 (age 33)
25
Montpellier
6
?
Montpelier had a poor season, some highlights of Reneich, but don’t think the Saffa laden team did so well. Was solid in both test and has a good rhythm to his game. Nothing spectacular or commanding that we expect from our little generals.
Grant Williams
Scrum-half
2 July 1996 (age 27)
4
Sharks
7
9
What a break out season for this guy. The sheer pace on him, good passing and kicking can improve. If it wasn’t for that stupid charge down he may have scored hire. Definitely an impact player
Manie Libbok
Fly-half
15 July 1997 (age 26)
6
Stormers
5
6
If you are a kicker, you have to get the ball over. Unacceptable to miss simple kicks. Great 1st season at the stormers but he isn’t consistent enough. Same reason why the Sharks and Bulls didn’t trust him. Although, he has improve 75% in consistency, he need to get better at that. Even Pollard has brain farts by missing touches and poor games. But he has to get rid of that mind fog of his.
Handre Pollard
Fly-half
11 March 1994 (age 29)
63
Leicester Tigers
0
9
When he came back for Leicester, started to turn their season around and help them get to the final. Although, no test rugby to speak of nearly two seasons now. His mental strength helps him. Can have another world cup in him, only 29, but he needs to get fit. Huge difference for the boks, but shouldn’t go to the world cup
Damian Willemse
Fly-half
7 May 1998 (age 25)
30
Stormers
5
7
At fullback and centre he is great for the stormers. Still have a tendency to do his jump and happy feet shuffle. Need to claim a position and move away from utility player. He will find hard to become a regular starter at the Stormers with Libbok, Dan and Galant out performing. Good for the boks, but terrible at flyhallf. Fullback is position for now to cover Willie
Lukhanyo Am
Centre
28 November 1993 (age 29)
34
Sharks
5
5
Never got over his injury, amazing try agains the bulls, but never showed his true value this season for both clubs. Our only world class 13. Helps the KPIs too and not a quota when fit and inform. Think the quota numbers forced the coaching hand to over play him
Damian de Allende
Centre
25 November 1991 (age 31)
71
Saitama Wild Knights
6
?
No idea what he has been doing in Japan. Didn’t have an imposing game against the all blacks. We should call him Damien De Cul Sec. Dead end when ball in hand, either crash ball or tries to step. Showed some passing skills with his right hand, but lack being able to pin defenders.
André Esterhuizen
Centre
30 March 1994 (age 29)
12
Harlequins
8
9
Been the best 12 in the premiership for a number of years now. It is his time, what a player he was for the boks against Aus. Didn’t get more game time due to narrow minded coaching bias.
Jesse Kriel
Centre
15 February 1994 (age 29)
60
Yokohama Canon Eagles
6
7
Came up on a few highlights, scoring tries in Japan. This his team made it to the finals. Solid for the boks, made some meters, tackles , but still no passing to get our dangerous wingers away.
Kurt-Lee Arendse
Wing
17 June 1996 (age 27)
10
Bulls
7
9
Sublime for the bulls and hat trick hero against Aus, but his last test he dropped tackles and had to get sub later in the game
Cheslin Kolbe
Wing
28 October 1993 (age 29)
25
Toulon
7
8
Had injury niggles and had less game time but still score at will. Unlucky not to get the try against NZ which would have turned the game. Never gives up. Can improve with better forward dominance
Makazole Mapimpi
Wing
26 July 1990 (age 33)
37
Sharks
5
6
Good for the sharks, got some tries and meters. But terrible for the boks. Just a straight line runner and finisher. Doesn’t offer any other options. Can’t do more than finishing
Canan Moodie
Wing
5 November 2002 (age 20)
4
Bulls
8
6
Had an off season for the bulls, but to many musical chairs of players swapping position at the bulls. I don’t know what the obsession is with utilities. But what a performer of the boks. Loads of meters against Aus, amazing spot tackler, got the vision and skill of what you need from a modern winger. Keeps the ball in play 9/10. Only 20, can he be our next Jacque Fourie or even better
Willie le Roux
Fullback
18 August 1989 (age 33)
86
Toyota Verblitz
7
?
Lost some pace and can no longer get around defenders, but still one of the boks most important players. His experience is showing and has the most try scoring assist. Hope Willemse can take a leaf from his book. Been playing 10 in Japan with some success. But not sure if he would be suited for test matches
Team Test form Average
5.6
