I often wonder how these selections work - how some players with little exposure or less impactful than others get selected and then on the other hand we see players that look the part but fail to get the recognition
How does it all work? For me it’s simple - I identify the best players and select them because I only have what I see to base my call on.
Coaches get to know players on a personal level a luxury not afforded to the casual observer and Rassie is on record saying some players are not necessarily the best in their respective positions but they fit, they have the dog, you want them in the trenches with you - Mostert for me is a perfect example of this as there are definitely better lock options out there.
Back to my point - so with limited exposure and only glimpses of impact we see Jordan Hendrikse capped against Wales and this weekend we see Andre Hugo Venter, Morne vd Bergh, Ruan Venter, Buthelezi, Quin Horn and Wessels being capped. Wessels for instance has been the 3rd choice hooker under Jake at the Bulls behind Grobelaar and Aker vd Merwe but suddenly he is starting at loosehead on Saturday
At the other end of the scale we see the likes of Green, David Kriel, Nohamba, Wilco, Ruan Vermaak, Ruben v Heerden and the Tsituka brothers constantly making an impact but they get snubbed for the Boks - I don’t understand why
Nohamba is clearly better than vd Bergh and plays ahead of him at the Lions when he does play 9 for the reason he is better but it’s vd Bergh being capped
How do David Kriel and Ruben v Heerden not get selected? At least Ruben was on the squad reserve list for the Irish series
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I often wonder how these selections work - how some players with little exposure or less impactful than others get selected and then on the other hand we see players that look the part but fail to get the recognition
How does it all work? For me it’s simple - I identify the best players and select them because I only have what I see to base my call on.
Coaches get to know players on a personal level a luxury not afforded to the casual observer and Rassie is on record saying some players are not necessarily the best in their respective positions but they fit, they have the dog, you want them in the trenches with you - Mostert for me is a perfect example of this as there are definitely better lock options out there.
Back to my point - so with limited exposure and only glimpses of impact we see Jordan Hendrikse capped against Wales and this weekend we see Andre Hugo Venter, Morne vd Bergh, Ruan Venter, Buthelezi, Quin Horn and Wessels being capped. Wessels for instance has been the 3rd choice hooker under Jake at the Bulls behind Grobelaar and Aker vd Merwe but suddenly he is starting at loosehead on Saturday
At the other end of the scale we see the likes of Green, David Kriel, Nohamba, Wilco, Ruan Vermaak, Ruben v Heerden and the Tsituka brothers constantly making an impact but they get snubbed for the Boks - I don’t understand why
Nohamba is clearly better than vd Bergh and plays ahead of him at the Lions when he does play 9 for the reason he is better but it’s vd Bergh being capped
How do David Kriel and Ruben v Heerden not get selected? At least Ruben was on the squad reserve list for the Irish series
It all makes little sense to me