Springboks - Rugby Championship

Super Rugby still not done but time to start speculating over HM's selections.

Against England HM said he would pick the players that will win the series for him and look to the future in the RC. I still don't expect too many changes. Will he reward form? We'll see.

The big question marks for me are in positions: 5, 8, 9, 10 and 15.

5: Logic would suggest Bekker if he is fit but he was very loose in the Sharks game and played a very lazy game. He did not look fit. I would like the see Kruger start and allow Bekker to play himself into form. He is the preferred player but simply not in form right now. And he needs to get off the wing.

8. HM has been quoted about his admiration for Kankowski. Based on the guy's form in the last few weeks there is no way he can't pick him. This should be the beginning of the end for Spies. Kanko has added a hard edge to his game.

9. Hougaard has not shown enough of an all round game to be a world class 9. He is a great impact player and can do freakish things but he makes too many mistakes and his kicking is not up to scratch. Who else? I have no idea. Pienaar is probably the best option until someone else shows promise. I like the Cheetah 9 but it may be too early for him.

10. BIG PROBLEM. Steyn has completely lost it. I think he has been shown up so many times that it has killed his confidence. Once his kicking goes he falls apart. The future is Goosen who I think is out for the year? Grant's kicking game has been very poor in the second half of Super Rugby season so he is no chance. HM sees Lambie as a 15. We are going to be stuck with Steyn and is foresee a disastrous RC Champs for the Boks as a result. There is nobody else right now. We're farqued.

15. Lambie might not be fit in time then what? Kirchner is so bloody limited. The option is F Steyn but his potency is at 12. If he moves to 15 itr opens the door for de Jongh at 13. I like Joe Pietersen but he missed two up and unders badly against the Sharks, both because he could not get up high enough. HM would have made a note of that so I think he is no chance. Aplon is not a test level 15, no matter what people in the Cape think. He would be on my bench though covering wing and 15.

The other questions are whether Vermeulen and Burger will feature? Probably later on in the competition but HM won't rush them back.

We also have a problem at bench prop if Oosthuizen is not fit. He is our only real class option when it comes to props who can scum both sides.

Other guys who might get a look in includes Kolisi. He had a poor game against the Sharks and the way Keegan Daniel is going Kolisi might not get a chance. Daniel is likely to be on the bench for the Boks. HE deserves it 100%

And Brussow? He will be lucky to make a squad but I believe he has too much class to discard. He will probably play a blinder if he gets the opportunity but will HM give him one?

Some big Q's.

Some of those Sharks backs have really been great in recent weeks.

Charl McLeod and Louie Ludik in particular.

JP Pietersen has been playing so well he now provides another option for 13. He is clearly a walk up starter on the wing.

Good summary Blue. Watching the June tests, I think that the Boks like Australia haven't really learnt much from the RWC. The big issue is that the Boks are still too one dimensional in attack and play the ball behind the line (something Australia is starting to do with Barnes). All it takes is a team to get off the line fast and pressure the 10, as England slowly but surely worked out.

That is because of Steyn but will change completely with Goosen.

For now we're stuck with it unless we somehow miraculously see Lambie at 10.

Agreed, except for McCleod who is prone to massive brainfarts, albeit less frequently it seems. I would not say no to a backline of:

15. Steyn
14. Aplon / Basson
13. JP
12. JdV
11. Habana
10. Lambie
9. Hougaard / Pienaar

Basson is out for a while isn't he?

For the game against Argentina, I would consider even giving Elton Jantjies a run at 10. A backline of:

9 - Pienaar / Hougaard
10 - Jantjies
11 - Habana
12 - Steyn
13 - JdV
14 - Pietersen
15 - Lambie

Yes, it is taking a significant risk, but he has kicked as well (if not better) than Morne this year and offers much more on attack. I doubt we would see HM going down this path though.

I think it would be tough on Lambie to throw him in at 10 after playing 15 for most of the second half of the Super Rugby competition. Although I would prefer to see him there instead of Morne! Peter Grant certainly shot himself in the foot on the weekend. I don't think he would have been part of HM's plans anyway, but he certainly didn't do himself any favours.

What about Butch James?

Yes I forgot. 5 weeks since Semis.

True Jantjes can do everything Steyn can and he is not scared of attacking the line himself. I would not mind it one bit actually.

Come on Heyneke. Time to move on.

Quick. Slap yourself. Hard.

Etsebet must be in the team

Not too many would argue that.

Bekker should be there.

10. Johan Goosen will start in september via the CC. Hopefull will make the EYT sqaud.

Schalk and Duanne will start in the CC and should aim for the ETY.

Brussouw a must for the Bok sqaud.

Actually if HM picks that backline, I'll video myself doing a little jig and post it here.

Meyer has gone way to silent on the Bok sqaud. We are three weeks from the first one and he should have done a Kamp Staaldraad already on the Brutes/Cheetahs and Stormers.

From a Springbok perspective, you almost hope that Lambie is not rushed back this weekend for the Sharks. It seems that each time he has been injured this season, he is rushed back into the starting team and then aggravates his existing injury.

From a Sharks perspective however, he is the type of player who can produce a moment of brilliance that could lead to them winning the championship. So it must be a tough position for Plum.

Have noted that in my calendar and will hold you to it!

Are you sure you are anointing this kid too soon. He has not played international level yet.

EYT will be a great place to start him. He'll only start in September, to late for 4 Nations. If he is good enough at S15 level he'll be good for test level.