With only 5 test matches remaining and coming to the business end of the season. It is time to play selector and decide who the 45 players you want in your squad. Knowing that there will be 12 players that won't be sipping French wine and nibbling on fromach.
Not sure if there would be any time for bolters or uncapped boks. So I am asking for 3 players in each position.
Some may opt for utility players, but right now we need the top 3 in each position
Who's the first 2?
Sure Dave will have few bolters in his pick. Here is my list
Jumping Jack Flash, Snyman/Lomp. Lomp only if Snyman is compromised.
Serfontein?? Is JJ next?
KC
There is a limitation on some selections of a world cup squad of 31 players because of injury possibilities.
There should always be -
3 hookers in the team
6 props in the squad
3 Scrumhalves
The above leaves only 8 forward and 11 backline position filling the squad to full strength
Backline :-
Full Backs - Le Roux
Wings - Kolbe,
Centers - De Allende, Willemse and Am
Flyhalfs - Pollard, Goosen and Libbok
Scrumhalfs - De Klerk, Williams and Jantjies
That leaves 3 positions to be filled in the backline. I am still working on the issue and will complete the squad later on
KC
There is a limitation on some selections of a world cup squad of 31 players because of injury possibilities.
There should always be -
3 hookers in the team
6 props in the squad
3 Scrumhalves
The above leaves only 8 forward and 11 backline position filling the squad to full strength
Backline :-
Full Backs - Le Roux
Wings - Kolbe,
Centers - De Allende, Willemse and Am
Flyhalfs - Pollard, Goosen and Libbok
Scrumhalfs - De Klerk, Williams and Jantjies
That leaves 3 positions to be filled in the backline. I am still working on the issue and will complete the squad later on
KC
There is a limitation on some selections of a world cup squad of 31 players because of injury possibilities.
There should always be -
3 hookers in the team
6 props in the squad
3 Scrumhalves
The above leaves only 8 forward and 11 backline position filling the squad to full strength
Backline :-
Full Backs - Le Roux
Wings - Kolbe,
Centers - De Allende, Willemse and Am
Flyhalfs - Pollard, Goosen and Libbok
Scrumhalfs - De Klerk, Williams and Jantjies
That leaves 3 positions to be filled in the backline. I am still working on the issue and will complete the squad later on
Mike, Goosen hasn't shown any form at all and not even playing at the moment. I see Morne pitching up these days and I'm not sure if he is done for.
This is not my World Cup squad but the 45 players I would use for the final 5 test matches before the World Cup.
Here are our games for 2023, none of them are easy games. I'm surprised we didn't arrange a game against Fiji, Japan or even Namibia just to clear out the cob webs. We go straight into World Cup mode against very tough teams. Not sure where the players self belief will be come World Cup
Saturday, 8 July – Springboks v Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 15 July – Springboks v New Zealand (venue TBC)
Saturday, 29 July – Springboks v Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (venue TBC)
Saturday, 19 August – Springboks v Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Friday, 25 August – SA v New Zealand (Twickenham, London)
RWC pool fixtures:
Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – Springboks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – Springboks v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarterfinals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semifinals
Saturday, 28 October – Final
Kingcorn
Reading your above jeremiads remind me totally of similar comments made in 2019 before the WC. The Springboks were in disarray and a very poor team - yet in the end they won the WC.
By the way Morne was other than goalkicking a shit flyhalf and he still is one. I gain the impression that some Springbok squad players have been put on ice for a while when they get fitness and strength training only. That may be the case with Goosen as well,
In 2019 I also had doubts based on 2018 performances by the team as a whole - but after their RC performances I was convinced that they would win the WC. Now back to 2023 I saw objectively the performances in 2022 and became convinced that they would win the 2023 WC. If they lost by wide margins in 2022 tests I would be doubtful about them - but their losses with weakened teams because of some injuries were not really that depressing.
Kingcorn
Reading your above jeremiads remind me totally of similar comments made in 2019 before the WC. The Springboks were in disarray and a very poor team - yet in the end they won the WC.
By the way Morne was other than goalkicking a shit flyhalf and he still is one. I gain the impression that some Springbok squad players have been put on ice for a while when they get fitness and strength training only. That may be the case with Goosen as well,
In 2019 I also had doubts based on 2018 performances by the team as a whole - but after their RC performances I was convinced that they would win the WC. Now back to 2023 I saw objectively the performances in 2022 and became convinced that they would win the 2023 WC. If they lost by wide margins in 2022 tests I would be doubtful about them - but their losses with weakened teams because of some injuries were not really that depressing.
"Jumping Jack Flash, Snyman/Lomp. Lomp only if Snyman is compromised."
That's based on 4 years ago form...RG must prove his fitness before he can be a serious contender.
RG has talent. Lood has no talent and is very unathletic.
Yes, it's a pity Eben never had a standout partner like Bakkies had in Victor. Imagine a fit RG with 75 tests under the belt, teaming up with Eben and the rest of the Bok pack...Mostert is more than just solid, but not a generational great...same for Lood.
l'Grande Merde has no brain and has no idea at all about rugby.
l'Grande Merde has no brain and has no idea at all about rugby.
I actually think Eben is athletic enough to have been a great 5___with a block like Willemse they would have been formidable.
He's athletic enough to play center , but I think he likes playing where he does.
Dud Toit would be my third number 5
Pompous Piles cowardly avoids the question in the header which asks for 'your squad.'
Instead he once more rubbishes the selections of others without committing to one of his own.
Same old.
Says Comrade September. No team from you, but you immediately focus on me….keep it up, maybe you’ll learn something. Hahaha…it took two posts on the Trumpet, this time you made a fool of yourself in one!
have another
All I've learned from you is that all your calls are in hindsight.
For all your "rugby or cricket knowledge" you've never ever picked a team....never ever spruiked a player....rubbished plenty though.....sits back and waits until others have before starting the slagg.......never ever picked a WC winner or a winning team in any contest but without fail you've been a star after the event.
Stick with the subject matter or STFU.
Now select your team.
Getting to the profanities Comrade…a sure sign you aren’t winning. But you’re used to that.
Nyaaah Nyaaaah...revert to the header, select your team you moron.
You can't can you?.... never have, never will but that doesn't stop you from crapping on the selections of others.
A great little act that's made you look like a genius to some....not to all, thankfully some here see right through your sleaze.
Twenty some odd years of hindsight and to date not a single team, spruiking a player or prediction of a game .
You are the master of the perfect science.....it's called hindsight.
What a pile of dribble. The greatest imbeciles I see here are the band of stooges who dodge the rugby discussions I put forward. Quick to snipe, but they cannot provide anything other than cut-and-paste from others to support themselves. The original ideas and insights never come from the likes of Mrs Searle and his little collection of wagging tales. No ability to analyze the game at even a basic level.
Saw some vintage Blommetjies yesterday. Outstanding player of the match.
You first Comrade, Quislings in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Still I can see why you’re reluctant. Remember when you were convinced Ruhan Nel was the answer at 13 and when you couldn’t understand why we weren’t picking Marcel Coetzee.
And your WC prelim squad is....????
Yep...thought so.
We are still waiting Comrade for one thought that’s not a cut and paste.
RG is the most complete lock I have ever seen. It really is such a pity. I'm hoping his career follows the Butch James arc. Butch was the most naturally talented Bok 10 I've seen, but also blighted by injuries. Jake said he was always his preferred 10, but it took years to get him back on the field. Also blighted by injuries. What a loss to the game when these things happen. One thing is for certain, we really don't need Lood. I liked what I saw from van Rensburg most. I have absolutely no idea why Erasmus didn't promote him further. He literally bullied everything he encountered. I haven't seen such a powerful ruck clean since Bakkies. We are currently quite a soft Bok side, but we have the players to be a true power pack, with a feared and oppressive backline without compromising skill. In fact, these selections would increase our currently meager skill level.
Dave I knew if I waited long enough you’d produce the goods. I’d go for Dave’s squad.
I once got in an elevator occupied by a bunch of huge guys, we went down a few floors and more huge guys entered. It felt a bit weird, as if you were on a different planet. Turned out the Chicago Bears were having a conference.
Quite a few years ago the New England Patriots had an offensive line that was bigger than every Springbok that has ever been! Nate Solder was 6ft 8.5 and 145kg. Just a little perspective.