Its amazing how one individual can have such an impact on a side, but equally it exposes Coetzee for how crap he is. Venter has had the same effect on Saracens and Italy, now the Boks.......much like Eddie Jones did with Jake, Japan and now England.....much like Ackerman and Swys have done with the Lions.
These individuals obviously know how to play winning rugby, how to get the best out of players and how to select. Individuals like this should be coaching test sides.......the Boks should have Ackerman, Venter and Swys as the coaching team - its pretty bloody obvious.
The question is, what happens when Venter leaves, which he has a habit of doing?
As for the Boks against France, I thought Coetzee was good at fullback, has always looked a test standard player. Willie needs to be brought back into the squad though.
The wings had very little opportunity with ball in hand......I would loved to have seen Skosan move involved. Rhule was exposed defensively, adding to the view that little guys seldom make it at the highest level these days. He is fine making open field tackles but front on is no contest against the big guys. Rhule has to go. Combrink is the obvious replacement, along with the more physical players like Ulengo, Ismiel and v/Wyk. I also love the look of new boys Tambwe and Nkosi. I'd also like to see what impact Senatla could have at the highest level. Lleyds is another little guy that does not have the hard edge
I was so pleased to see Serfontein and Jessie Kriel have an outstanding series, vindicating my faith and rating of them. Both quality players who thrive in the correct winning environment. Serfontein was man of the series - enough said. The same would apply to de Allende, who has already proved that he has it at test level. He will add depth as will the return of Janse v Rensburg, our best centre last year. I want to see Vorster and Am added to the equation. Frans Steyn has had his day, time to move on. Mapoe is not an option
Jantjies had a very good series, has matured into a calm and collected player. Our best option at 10. Pollard will be added for depth and a different option at 10. Its good to have variety.
Cronje was as predictably boring as ever, offers nothing with ball in hand, asks no questions of defences and takes a few steps before he passes. He is not close to test standard. I was pleased to see Hougaard start, but he had an indifferent game. He needs time and investment with Jantjies. You could see it was their first outing together. Faf and Reinach need to be included in the mix.
Beast was solid, but Kitshoff was worlds better. Time to move on from Beast. Thomas du Toit and Kebble need to be brought on board
Marx was simply awesome, our new Bismark, a physical freak. Vast improvement on Strauss. We need to find an understudy and that certainly is not Mbonambi who is good but not the best. I personally would love to see Ox Nche moved to hooker, he is not big enough to make an impact at prop, but he is a talented player. The obvious back-up is Akkers.
Malherbe was as usual solid at 3 and Coenie was great coming off the bench. Dreyer was a flop, but then I have never rated him, not big enough. Wilco Louw is our best tighthead and needs to be brought into the squad now.
Our locks were all good, you cant but warm to Mostert, although personally I'd be playing him at blindside.PSDT and Lood were great off the bench.
Kolisi was huge, I have never understood those that don't rate him. The lad is pure class, did it all. Proved beyond doubt he belongs at test level. Oupa was predictably exposed, for he is just not physical enough for a test 7. Nice Super player. du Preez was huge and is the future along with his twin. Jaco Kriel is always good.
Whiteley was solid but as previously stated he is not physical enough for a test 8 and that will show against the likes of NZ and England. I want to see Marcel Coetzee at 8.
We have the core of a good squad, which needs to discard the likes of Rhule, Lleyds, Mapoe, Frans, Cronje, Beast, Mbonambi, Dreyer, Whitely and Oupa and add the likes of Willie, Combrink, de Allende, Janse v Rensburg, Vorster, Pollard, Faf, Reinach, Thomas du Toit, Akkers, Wilco Louw and Marcel Coetzee to trun it into world beating, along with the retention of Brendan Venter and the appointment of Rassie as rumoured
