Former Blues and Crusaders scrumhalf Bryn Hall has raised eyebrows by placing Grant Williams in the same elite circle as rugby demigods Antoine Dupont and Cam Roigard. During a lively session on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Hall championed Williams as not just a standout but essential to any conversation about the world's top scrumhalves.
"Grant Williams goes alright as well," Hall commented, reflecting on the backlash he received for previously omitting Williams from his list of top players. "I got absolutely ridiculed in the messages and the comments around obviously not telling about Williams with Dupont and Roigard."
"He’s the guy coming up the ranks,"
Williams isn't the only shining star in South African rugby right now, as the Springboks' depth in the scrumhalf position looks more like a luxury. With names like Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg lined up for the Tests against Australia, and the seasoned Faf de Klerk waiting in the wings, it's an embarrassment of riches. Not to mention Jaden Hendrikse and U20 world champion Haashim Pead, who Hall specifically noted as a future threat to New Zealand.
"He was the difference for the under-20s with his try scoring and his try assists. It seems like the halfback stocks in South Africa are very, very good at the moment," Hall added, underscoring the burgeoning talent ready to keep the Springboks competitive for years.
The panel didn't just stop at praising the scrumhalves either. The broader playmaking prowess of the Springboks was a hot topic, with the consensus being that South Africa's depth across several positions makes them formidable opponents. "As far as the Springboks are concerned, those playmaking options are insane. Just so many options," Ross Karl remarked, painting a picture of a team brimming with potential.
However, there was a slight note of caution about the Boks potentially being underprepared for the upcoming Rugby Championship, especially compared to the All Blacks and the Wallabies, who are coming off a grueling series against the British & Irish Lions. "The Aussies are in the middle of it and they’re probably building through the Lions series to the Rugby Championship," Karl noted, hinting at a possible edge for the Australians.
With the stage set for an intriguing Rugby Championship, the spotlight is firmly on the Springboks and their galaxy of stars, ready to dazzle on rugby's grandest stages.
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Former Blues and Crusaders scrumhalf Bryn Hall has raised eyebrows by placing Grant Williams in the same elite circle as rugby demigods Antoine Dupont and Cam Roigard. During a lively session on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Hall championed Williams as not just a standout but essential to any conversation about the world's top scrumhalves.
"Grant Williams goes alright as well," Hall commented, reflecting on the backlash he received for previously omitting Williams from his list of top players. "I got absolutely ridiculed in the messages and the comments around obviously not telling about Williams with Dupont and Roigard."
"He’s the guy coming up the ranks,"
Williams isn't the only shining star in South African rugby right now, as the Springboks' depth in the scrumhalf position looks more like a luxury. With names like Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg lined up for the Tests against Australia, and the seasoned Faf de Klerk waiting in the wings, it's an embarrassment of riches. Not to mention Jaden Hendrikse and U20 world champion Haashim Pead, who Hall specifically noted as a future threat to New Zealand.
"He was the difference for the under-20s with his try scoring and his try assists. It seems like the halfback stocks in South Africa are very, very good at the moment," Hall added, underscoring the burgeoning talent ready to keep the Springboks competitive for years.
The panel didn't just stop at praising the scrumhalves either. The broader playmaking prowess of the Springboks was a hot topic, with the consensus being that South Africa's depth across several positions makes them formidable opponents. "As far as the Springboks are concerned, those playmaking options are insane. Just so many options," Ross Karl remarked, painting a picture of a team brimming with potential.
However, there was a slight note of caution about the Boks potentially being underprepared for the upcoming Rugby Championship, especially compared to the All Blacks and the Wallabies, who are coming off a grueling series against the British & Irish Lions. "The Aussies are in the middle of it and they’re probably building through the Lions series to the Rugby Championship," Karl noted, hinting at a possible edge for the Australians.
With the stage set for an intriguing Rugby Championship, the spotlight is firmly on the Springboks and their galaxy of stars, ready to dazzle on rugby's grandest stages.