Sharkbok I mentioned this some weeks ago but the anti Rassie nutters were having none of it.
We should be playing the same team every week they wailed. Rassie doesn't know what he is doing these ever complaining half bakes lamented!
Again Rassie schooled the dopes.
Good points. We all saw what happened to England in 2019, they left it all out there in winning their semi but were flat in the final, there was nothing in the tank. Think Rassie needs to be careful with his selections for the semi but I'm sure he'll be mindful.
Players I would rest is Etzebeth, Malherbe and Vermeulen with Kitshoff off the bench, Kleyn, Weise and Van Staden have to start.
The fact is that n 2019 the Springbok team did not change for the semi and the final. What dd change was the game plan - which bluffed Edie Jones totally in the final.
SB is just repeating the English media story justifying the English loss. The fact is the English were caught out in the match and their strong point - their backline - was totally destroyed by De Allende and Du Toit. Without their backline functioning properly the english team was reduc ed to nea t nothing.
Erasmus has a plan for the English and another for the AB's - of that you can be absolutely sure.
Good question, it was a brutal test matches for Abs and Boks. Did you see Jessies face after the match. So much for head contact when players emerge all bloodied at the end of a game.
Will be interesting to see who they pick, will they go with the same team. What I think they shouldn't do is to make sweeping changes.
I think the tight five needs to be swapped out. Maybe start with Wiese on this occasion and even have Kwagga to start.
Kolisi, yet again, can't play a full game. Go figure. Duanne and Deon both at 37+ can still play a full game and even pack down in the front row.
Kolisi frustrates the crap out of me
I was critical about the constant chopping and changing of players but with 2 games to go - the starting team will probably not change much.
Jessy Kriel is in the form of his life. Not world-class, but great on defence and his attack has been solid.
I do think Moodie will get a run in the semi final because he was taking live media interview questions yesterday.
Reinach was also doing so at the start of last week, which suggested he was going to be starting.
My team for the semi is as follows:-
15 Willemse
14 Kolbe
13 Kriel
12 De Allende
11 Could be any of 3 players - probably Mapimpi?
10 Libbok
9 Reinach
8 Wiese
7 Du Toit
6 Kolisi
5 Snyman
4 Etzaebeth
3 Malhertbe
2 Mbonambi
1 Nche
Fourie, Kitshof, Koch, Kleyn, Van Staden, Vermeulen, Hendriks, Pollard, Le Roux.
The Springbok line-outs against the French misfired and they even had successful mauls against the team. Mostert is not physical enough to ensure competitiveness in the line-outs. and at breakdowns.
No chance to be in the team is Esterhuizen - the Springboks want a win - gambling with a deficient Esterhuizen is just not on.
I wonder how many people actually care about the selections of someone who is so ignorant about rugby as to think that all Bundee Aki did the entire RWC was miss tackles and who is so woefully out of touch with what is happening that he doesn't even know that Makazole Mapimpi has gone home with a broken cheekbone?
I know I don't.
Thanks for the info on Mapimpi I did not know about it. ,
Thanks for the info on Mapimpi I did not know about it. ,
18,428 posts
Rassie has rotated his starting match-day squad more than any other coach in the World Cup.
(this whole season in fact-e.g. playing a B-team against Australia).
Unlike say the Irish, who started their first-choice team in all of their World Cup games, and in the warmups as well (I believe).
The Bok's constant chopping and changing of players seemed like 2 B-teams, instead of a first-team with certain starters and settled combinations.
Rassie has spoken extensively that he does not believe forwards can play too many tests in a short period - and still play at their peak.
Now suddenly the Boks are going into a semi-final with players that are battled hardened, but not overplayed.