Agree with most of these selections.so many are close calls

Bit tough though to drop Jessie Kriel but understandable. I could quible about other selections but wont

I have concerns about Malherbe who seems to be fading. I prefer Hanekom at 6 and Wiese at 8.

What say the Oaks

No original thinking here

Judging by that video thumbnail, many of those players will not be around for 2027, and they need to be weeded out sooner than later.

Flab Malherbe is done. Kolisi must be doubtful, as is the case with Eztebeth. I notice the older Boks are getting injured more frequently.

Amd take longer to recover from injury,

Said another way, a few Vermeulens strengthen the team. A team of Vermeulens will implode.

What the blue blazes is Luckmus looking at…a hamburger?

My 23 would be:

15 Fassi 14. Kolbe 13 Jurenzo 12. Willemse 11. Arendse 10. Sacha 9. Williams 1. Ox 2. Marx 3. Wilco 4. Etzebeth 5. RG 6. Hanekom 7. PSDT 8. Roos

16 AH Venter 17. Steenkamp 18. Thomas 19. Ruben v Heerden 20. Elrigh Louw 21. vd Bergh 22. Pollard 23. Moodie

Along with 15. Jordan Hendrikse 14. Green 13. Wank v Wyk 12. Hooker 11. Edwill vd Merwe 10. Libbok 9. Jayden Hendrikse 1. Wessels 2. Dweba 3. Sadie 4. Ruan Vermaak 5. Cobus Wiese 6. Buthelezi 7. Ruan Venter 8. Manu Tsituka

16 Grobelaar 17. Mchunu 18. Hanro Jacobs 19. JF v Heerden 20. Ludwig 21. Vincent Tsituka 22. Nohamba 23. David Kriel

That’s the future

So who does this guy select as the Bok 13 this year - Jurenzo Julius of course - wonder why that is?

It's called a hype train for a reason, Saffex

The hype is merited, JJ is a special rugby talent just like Sacha and Moodie

Sacha and Moodie have proven it.

JJ still hasn't yet.

Once/If he does then I'll buy a ticket.

But here’s the team Luckmus will play when it counts:

Willemse, Kolbe, Kriel, Dud Allende, Arendse, Pollard, Hendrikse

Ox, Bongi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi, Dud Toit, Wiese.

Video material suggest JJ is a star in the making….but before he actually plays to prove his star status, it’s assumption.

Video material of a settled Bok Warrior like Mostert, is undeniable facts.

No Moz a fit RG will start ahead of Nortje

Mpower don’t insult us with that Mostert crap - he is just plain shit

I can understand you feel insulted, as Mostert keeps on proving you wrong.

How on earth can Mostert prove me wrong with that sad excuse of a physique. The only thing powder puff can do is make 10 plus process tackles a game - hardly the fucking job of a Bok lock

His physical inadequacy means he simply can’t impose himself physically in the carry, the maul, the tackle, the scrum, the maul defence - all primary functions of a lock

Saddest thing about him is that he is not even athletic or skilful - one would swear given he is a physical liability that he would offset that with some eye catching rugby skills

What the fuck Rassie sees in this loser is beyond me but let’s face it Rassie has a blind spot when it comes to locks - Mostert is his second worst selection ever, neatly tucked behind the utterly useless Orie. There have been some others like Nortje and Nico JVR and to a lesser extent Moerat and Kleyn

Id take these last 4 over Mostert and Orie though

"Willemse, Kolbe, Kriel, Dud Allende, Arendse, Pollard, Hendrikse

Ox, Bongi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi, Dud Toit, Wiese."

Still our best side...by far...Malherbe going out ...Wilco coming in...Nortje the new Mostert...lucky but deserved...

Fuck Nortje or Mostert - RG is better than both of them put together, especially in his current form

No contest

I agree that Snyman is leagues ahead of Nortje, but Rassie had that chance last year, but played Snyman off the bench. He’s the genius your’s is not to reason why….

Bullshit RG started alongside Eben against England after Mostert started the first game against Scotland - so the genius eventually woke up to who should be starting with Eben

Let’s just pray that this is the case throughout 2025 and we see a better option on the bench other than Nortje or Mostert

And then Mostert was brought back against Wales where he was the MOM .. you just can’t get anything right Dave.

Nice try Moz - Eben and RG were on the bench that game with Kleyn and Mostert starting so hardly a merit selection now was it?

Thomas started at 3, Grobelaar at 2 with Hanekom making his debut off the bench.

PSDT was allowed to go home early with Elrigh Louw starting at 7 and Jordan Hendrikse at 10

Yeah I remember Mostert winning his first and only MOM and for what exactly - that was a joke

Bullshit right back at you Dave:

Um I don’t think so

Seven Springboks changes for tour-ending game versus Wales

By Liam Heagney

106 days ago

Rassie Erasmus has announced a Springboks team to take on Wales in Cardiff this Saturday that has seven changes from the XV which defeated England. The South Africans beat the English 29-20 at in London last weekend and they will now aim to complete their three-game Autumn Nations Series unbeaten with a team showing two backline alterations and five more switches in the pack against the Welsh.

Brothers Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse have been named as the starting half-backs with Manie Libbok and Grant Williams excluded. They are the first set of brothers to appear together since Dan and Robert du Preez featured against Wales in Washington DC at the start of the 2018 season.

Up front, Ox Nche, Siya Kolisi an Jasper Wiese are the three repeat picks with Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert and Elrigh Louw added to the selection. Grobbelaar is at hooker for Bongi Mbonambi, after last featuring in a match day 23 against Australia in Perth, while du Toit returns at tighthead for Wilco Louw.

The fit-again Kleyn, who last appeared in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, and Mostert are at second row in place of benched duo Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman. Meanwhile, the only back row change is Elrigh Louw replacing Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle. On the bench, where there is a six/two forwards/backs split, Cameron Hanekom is set to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season.

Erasmus explained in an SA Rugby statement: “This is our last match of the season and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note. We selected a squad that shows a good mix of experience and youth, which is crucial as we look to maintain some consistency in selection, while at the same time giving guys like Jordan and Cameron, who have been exceptional at training on tour, a chance to show us what they can do.

“Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are very excited to see how he dictates play with Jaden alongside him, and we are also delighted that Cameron is getting a chance to play after showing his class at training throughout the tour and for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.

"Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play No6, No7 and No8, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”

The coach added: “Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they will do everything to finish their campaign on a high note. We have experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they will be playing at home with a passionate crowd behind them will inspire them even more – just as our supporters inspire us when we play at home.

“Obviously we would love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we have have a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium. A lot can change in rugby with a change in confidence and mindset, and Australia is a perfect example of how things can change in the sport if one considers how well they are playing now compared to last year."

South Africa (vs Wales, Saturday)

15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 10 caps, 30 points (6t)

14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 39 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 78 caps, 90 points (18t)

12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 86 caps, 55 points (11t)

11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 23 caps, 85 points (17t)

10 – Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 7 pts (2c, 1p)

9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 19 pts (2t, 3c, 1p)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 33 caps, 10 points (2t)

7 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 points

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 91 caps, 60 points (12t)

5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 77 caps, 15 points (3t)

4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)

3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1t)

2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points

1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 75 caps, 105 points (21t)

17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 points

18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 60 caps, 0 points

19 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 130 caps, 30 points (6t)

20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 39 caps, 10 points (2t)

21 – Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) - uncapped

22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 38 caps, 70 pts (14t)

23 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 79 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg)

Kleyn did not start because of injury and was replaced by eben to start?

Can’t remember - but reality is Kleyn was originally selected to start with Eben on the bench

SA

From ESPN…Eben started, Mostert started….Snyman on the bench.

Yes Moz that’s because Kleyn pulled out injured on the day or whenever leading up to the game

As the article indicates, Kleyn and Mostert were originally selected to start with Eben and RG on the bench. Kleyn pulled out and Eben replaced him in the starting line up with v Staaden coming onto the bench.

That side against Wales was hardly the best 15 now was it, with Jordan at 10, Grobelaar at 2, Thomas at 3, Kleyn at 4 and Mostert at 5

There is some measure of doubt as to what was in Luckmus’ mind….I agree. But he rarely changes his mind about anything, and so I think he still sees Snyman as a bit of a lucky packet…. He might offload to the opposing wing. Hell he set himself on fire! A bit unpredictable and Luckmus is a control freak.

That was more about over playing Eben than a change in his views on the locks.

Bullshit everyone knows RG is twice the lock powder puff is and Rassie eventually woke up to that fact against England

It had happened previously but good old RG pulled out in the week leading up to the test with what was reported as a minor injury only to see RG out for months

Lets hope we don’t get to see useless Mostert starting ahead of RG this year or Nortje, another slight upgrade from powder puff

So everybody knows Snyman is twice the lock Mostert is and after coaching the Boks for eight years the penny has finally dropped for Luckmus…ROFL!

No unfortunately RG has been missing in much of those 8 years

Something even you know

Here’s something even you don’t know Dave. Snyman has played 40 tests for Luckmus….29 of which he has played as a reserve. He has started in only 11 tests.

Now even someone as clueless about rugby selection as you, has to see a pattern. Luckmus has viewed Snyman as part of the bomb squad, a player who makes his best contribution in a twenty minute burst.

I don’t share that view but there it’s is….learn and thank me.

Well there we go that’s 39 tests in 8 years that’s less than 5 a year which explains why we have only see him operate mostly off the bench on return from yet another injury

So as per usual you have taught me stuff all and I’ve provided the reality check

Had RG been as injury free as Eben, we no doubt would have seen a 50 cap lock partnership by now

Reality as we all know, is that RG has had an injury blighted career

39 tests aged 30 says all you need to know about potentially the second best lock behind Eben to ever play the game

Very sad indeed, evidenced by the fact that his start with Eben against England was their first time start together

Thanks for making my point again….he’s injury prone, so Luckmus uses him off the bench and will continue to use him off the bench. Look for. Mostert in the East when the Rugby Championship dawns.

I hope like fuck we never see useless Mostert again

Thankfully Lood is back playing as Rassie will at least select him

Personally it’s a no brainer that a fit RG should always start but if not then Lood is a far better option than Mostert

There is no place in a Bok tightfive for a 110kg lock - fuck that

How the 2015 Rugby WC semi was lost:

‘After Pollard's early penalty, the All Blacks struck back when Kaino thundered through De Jager down the right and touched down one-handed in the corner, but two more pin-point penalties from Pollard gave his side a two-point lead with 20 minutes gone.’

We don’t want that useless bugger back. In 2019 Vunipola did the same thing leaving Lomp lying on the deck….on comes Mostert and we are sooooo much better off.

That was bullshit and a player is never defined by the odd low point

Mostert offers a big fat zero physically and lacks any skill to offset his physical inadequacy

What is the point of him - 12 process tackles a game?

Massive low point:

Right through Lomp

Poor All Black discipline

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

Image caption,

Jerome Kaino's second try of the tournament gave New Zealand an early lead

Mostert is way better in the lineouts than Lomp, plays way better to the ball, is much better on defence….and I bet he is putting way more effort into his scrumming.

And his size means zippo, Etzebeth picked Lomp up and slammed him when he got stroppy….an injury prone player of limited skill and even less stamina.

If Eben picked 125kg Lood up imagine what he would do to powder puff?

Bullshit is Mostert better than Lood in the line outs - Mostert is not better than any other locks in that department

Plays better to the ball, what the fuck is that? One certainty is that Mostert offers nothing in terms of skill in general player. It’s something he should be good at given his physical deficiencies but he is not. There is nothing about his play with ball in hand that adds value - it’s not like he has great hands or a good rugby brain that runs good lines or plays a linking role. He is crap.

Lood adds value with ball in hand as he is able to impose himself physically, something powder puff is unable to do for obvious reasons. When he carries in contact he breaches the advantage line in the same way Eben, RG and PSDT do as they are real physical athletes

He might be better than Lood in making process tackles, because he is so light and can get around quicker being the lightweight he is. He will never make a dominant tackle, something Lood is capable of.

Mostert better in the scrums - yeah right that’s a fucking joke - 110kg vs 125kg - ask any prop what kind of lock they want pushing behind them

Mostett is literally a liability given his size. He has always sold the Bok pack short given his lack of physicality

There is a reason Matfield said Lood and not Mostert was the best 5 in the game

Lood is a real lock Mostert is not

Mostert is one of the worst locks the Boks have ever selected - up there with Orie, Albert vd Bergh, Selborne Boome, Johan Muller, Franco vd Merwe, Barend Pieterse, Marco Wentzel or Jeandre Kruger - all shit all in the same category all powder puffs

Balls, Mostert has been a far bigger part of our winning team. Lomp is a 32 year old player who has played once for the Boks since 22.

Lomp is a ‘real lock’ that got run over in 2 WCplayoffs. You only think that because he is big. Bok history is full of great smaller locks…Salty du Rand, Avril Malan, Frik du Preez, Victor Matfield….some of the greats.

Your views are well known and ignorant.

Those old locks back then were a different era none would smell a pro side now as locks - they were tiny

Mostert has always been shit, Lood far far better

It’s not even close - a pretender vs a real lock

Mostert is more durable than Lood or RG - I’ll give him that - but it’s no point when he is so shit

You would think that a lightweight lock would at least be a skilful rugby player - but not [search: safe masturbation techniques] powder puff

What value does he add? Lock like prop value is measured in physicality first and foremost

Obvious;y Luckmus has thought about that and started him at lock in 32 tests while there were plenty of alternatives including Snyman. Does any other credible rugby person share your views?

Lomp might have been better at a stage, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is clumsy.

If he didn’t fall over his own feet, he got tackled back or run over.

Fact is that it’s highly unlikely that his form is still the same as in his prime days. His age of 32 is not positive either.

Mostert proving the critics wrong again :)

"Does any other credible rugby person share your views?"

Wehe . . . this from the biased fool with the least amount of rugby credibility on the board.

Two time World Rugby Player of the Year and back-to-back RWC winning coach are both crap.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Two time World Rugby Player of the Year and back-to-back RWC winning coach are both crap.

Non so blind as someone who can't see.

It’s ’none’ so blind as those who can’t see Hysteria. If you are trying to be snide, do get it right old girl.

Its obvious to see by the reactions, that Moz is intimidating you guys again, with his acumen :)

Shame good luck, you will need it…..

Fck...I don’t like France these days, but I think I like Ireland even less...great side but boringly so...O think Sexton killed the spirit of Irish rugga for me...I used to love Ireland and I had a great time mingling with their supporters at Newlands at the match we lost in 2016.

Agreed Draad I want to see the French win this one - the Irish have looked anything but convincing this 6N

I think the loss of Sexton pulling the strings is starting to tell

I want France to win too. We’ve probably all jinxed them now !

Rooi's support for Ireland will trump our jinx...

BTW....when I don't have a horse in the race, my allegiance normally shifts towards the team playing the better rugby on the day...we'll see...

"Rooi's support for Ireland will trump our jinx..."

Huh?

Ireland are my least favourite 6N team.

Allez les Bleus!

...and the jinx is complete...

Er Time Stamp….your support France with the jinx is de facto support for Ireland. Are you too thick to get that?

...erm...yes...

And even the jinx can’t save Ireland. This is concerning it used to be infallible.

Grammar lessons start here with an example from our resident grammar nazi.

Do practice what you preach.

Tx.

'.....your support France with the jinx is de facto support for Ireland'

LMAO!

The semi-literate moron who ejaculates if someone else makes a typo exposed again for being the poorly educated dullard that he is.

There should be a comma after ‘typo’.

ROFL!

You just can’t stop shooting yourself in the foot Time Stamp. Shame, Hysteria is crying.

ROFL again!

Many good young and old players but I'm not drinking the cool aid.

The boks are playing 15 matches this year. Rassie will use this season to identify the players for the world cup and get them experience. However, we might see a conveyer belt if one cap players as he did before when he took over by getting a lot players on the field and in Erasmus style, put together a scratch team that then ends up losing to weaker teams.

We have a good start to the season with our first 6 games being at home and against weaker teams. Then we have two games away against new Zealand. I would have Rassie use those games to test his real team tell the players that this tour will be your test to see if you can make the team for the world cup.

My only fear with the young players is that they are not battle hardened and have not had the downs that current crop had. Like Kriel, De Allende and Pollard that played in 2015 semi final and lost to NZ, like the team that played under Coetzee and had 50 points put against them in New Zealand and losing to Italy.

Those games hurt players and they become better over time, that is if they have the talent.

My fear is the there is too much hype around Sasha. manie blows hot and cold and has proven he doesn't have BMT. Jizzo is flashy but not proven. Moodie form has dropped at the bools.

We still don't have a 4 lock. To much reliance on Kolisi and we don't have a replacement at 6. Kwagga is getting older and a super sub.

Then, with quotas, where are the merit black forwards? We have Ox but we'll end up with a half bake player. I see pepsi playing at 6 but his not that good.

So will be a massive year