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Vermeulen to lead the Boks against All blacks

Started by Flashdakota15 REPLIES616 VIEWS· 24 Jul 2019, 08:19
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Flashdakota
Flashdakota
Club Pro805 posts
Flashdakota
FlashdakotaClub Pro805 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:19
#1
24 Jul 2019, 08:19#1
Experienced No 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead the Springboks against the All Blacks on Saturday, when the two traditional rivals clash in Wellington in the second round of the shortened 2019 Rugby Championship. Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a much-changed side from the one that defeated the Wallabies 35-17 in Johannesburg last weekend. The Boks and All Blacks will battle it out in front of an expected capacity crowd of 34 500 at the Westpac Stadium, where the starting time for the game is 09:35 (SA time). Eben Etzebeth (lock), last weekend's Bok captain, and Pieter-Steph du Toit (loose forward) are the only two forwards who were retained from the win over the Wallabies, with Makazole Mapimpi (wing) the only backline player in the starting line-up who also started last weekend. The rest of the Springbok starting line-up consists mainly of the group of players who travelled to New Zealand last Thursday, a few days before the rest of the South African tour party. Willie le Roux returns at fullback while Cheslin Kolbe is drafted in on the right wing. Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am form a familiar looking midfield pairing and they will play next to Handre Pollard (flyhalf) and Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf). Vermeulen, Du Toit and Kwagga Smith (flanker) form the loose trio, with the former Blitzbok star set to earn his second start in the Green and Gold following his international debut last year against Wales in Washington. Franco Mostert partners Etzebeth in the second row and Malcolm Marx (hooker) is joined in the front row by Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe. The forward bench consists of Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman and Francois Louw, while Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn and Jesse Kriel are the replacement backs. Saturday's much-anticipated Test is a rematch of last year’s epic clash between the two countries, which the Springboks won 36-34 in the Cake Tin. Teams: New Zealand TBA South Africa 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Smith, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Flashdakota
Flashdakota
Club Pro805 posts
Flashdakota
FlashdakotaClub Pro805 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:20
#2
24 Jul 2019, 08:20#2
... as reported by News24. Interesting to see Franco Smith making a comeback.
AU
Augenöffner
Pro6,974 posts
AU
AugenöffnerPro6,974 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:27
#3
24 Jul 2019, 08:27#3

A very strong bench. Too bad about Damian though. Otherwise a very strong side. 

Flashdakota
Flashdakota
Club Pro805 posts
Flashdakota
FlashdakotaClub Pro805 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:31
#4
24 Jul 2019, 08:31#4
I reckon Frans Steyn against the All Blacks should be a pre requisite. He is a big game player and we may need him at one of those crucial moments. Hope he gets a good run. He offers so much more than DdA. I’d also like to have seen him play next to Pollard.
AU
Augenöffner
Pro6,974 posts
AU
AugenöffnerPro6,974 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:33
#5
24 Jul 2019, 08:33#5

Agreed. I'd have gone Frans at 12, Esterhuizen on the bench. Though, Frans from the bench offers quite a bit of flexibility. He can cover 10, 12, 13, 15 and has played on the wing a number of times. 

CL
clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:46
#6
24 Jul 2019, 08:46#6

No Dimwit - the fact is there are three problem selections, namely -0 

 *   the physically deficient Mostert at lock - I would have preferred Snyman ahead of him;

 *   the selection of Am - whose defense organization has been problematic last year and even in Super Rugby this year; and 

 *   the useless  Francois Steyn - who is supposed to cover the flyhalf position in the absence of Jantjies.

The bench is weakened by the presence of Steyn - who was not even used by his club this year as either flyhalf or center - but at full back.  I think if Pollard is going off they may move Willie to flyhalf and let the desperately slow Steyn play at full back.  A center he is definitely not. 

I am not surprised by Elton Jantjies not being in the team - he was questionable on Saturday and Erasmus would  have noticed that easily.  

The only strong bench selections are Kriel in the backline and Snyman as a lock.   The rest are all second stringers deserving of being on the bench,     

        

BO
bobbok...
Captain10,129 posts
BO
bobbok...Captain10,129 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:46
#7
24 Jul 2019, 08:46#7

Franco Smith hasn't had a bad game all year .

AU
Augenöffner
Pro6,974 posts
AU
AugenöffnerPro6,974 posts
24 Jul 2019, 08:50
#8
24 Jul 2019, 08:50#8

I also believe that RG is our best lock partner for Eben. He is the epitome of the elite modern day lock. 

Am is the best defensive 13 we have. The next best is Mapoe. Both players bettered Kriel last season. 

"The bench position is weakened by Steyn"

No other player on the bench can cover as many positions. He is as a matter of fact the most useful and potent player on that bench. 

CL
clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
24 Jul 2019, 09:51
#9
24 Jul 2019, 09:51#9

When did that potency show since his return from France in 2012?    Never ever.  Why did  his club not use him at center and flyhalf virtually ever this year and why did they NOT renew hios contract?   The answer is clear - he was useless for his club.  

Nice wording effort AO  - but total pie in the sky. 

DB
DbDraad
Captain26,388 posts
DB
DbDraadCaptain26,388 posts
24 Jul 2019, 10:10
#10
24 Jul 2019, 10:10#10

"

blobbok

Senior player

2623 posts

Jul 24, 2019, 08:46

Franco Smith hasn't had a bad game all year .

 





I see what you did there...LOL !!!
CL
clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
24 Jul 2019, 11:46
#11
24 Jul 2019, 11:46#11

Obviously it was Franco Mostert..  Saw it - bit posted the correct team mysel f. 

CL
clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
24 Jul 2019, 11:47
#12
24 Jul 2019, 11:47#12


CH
Chippo
Pro3,372 posts
CH
ChippoPro3,372 posts
24 Jul 2019, 12:01
#13
24 Jul 2019, 12:01#13

Yeah... so delighted to see Steyn on the bench.

He's working his way back into the starting lineup.

Brilliant player and deserves to be there.

SA
Saffolk
Captain30,741 posts
SA
Saffolk Captain30,741 posts
24 Jul 2019, 13:50
#14
24 Jul 2019, 13:50#14
Two completely stupid calls are Kolbe ahead of Nkosi and powder puff Mostert ahead of Snyman or Lood. While I like Am I prefer Kriel The side is ok but by no means the best we could come up with. It’s two thirds complete
CH
Chippo
Pro3,372 posts
CH
ChippoPro3,372 posts
24 Jul 2019, 16:02
#15
24 Jul 2019, 16:02#15

jesus... Saf i just noted Nkosi...

Thats bizarre.

IMO he is the best in the land by some margin.

He is quick and a wonderful defender.... lets not even speak about his high ball prowess.


In saying that, I dont have anything against Kolbe.

AU
Augenöffner
Pro6,974 posts
AU
AugenöffnerPro6,974 posts
24 Jul 2019, 16:12
#16
24 Jul 2019, 16:12#16

I have the opposite view of Nkosi, one of our better wings under the high ball, but can be suscetible on defence. He has improved a bit since the EOYT. Dyantyi was a nightmare rushing out of the line and being beaten in the air. My #1 is Mapimpi. Kolbe was immense for the Boks last year. #2 for the Boks. I'm confident he can do a good job. 

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