The Boks A team

[Rebel rouser]

When the All Blacks finish putting a cricket score on the boks next week, one can only imagine there'll be an amazing wave of healing in South Africa, the likes of which have not been seen since Pontius Pilate had a say.

Now, as far as I can figure out, this is what the clown has in store. Or thereabouts anyway (I'm not a bok fan).

1 Beast
2 Bismark Du Plessis
3 Jannie Du Plessis
4 Matfield
5 Bakkies
6 Burger
7 Brussouw
8 Spies
9. FDP
10. M Steyn
11. Habana
12. JDV
13. Fourie
14. Pietersen
15. F Steyn

Now, this is pretty much the team we beat 2-1 last year (with two of those played in SA). I am quietly confident that we will still have the wood on them. I think they've crested over the hill and are on the way back down.

Their areas of strength are the front row, back row and centres which are all solid.

However, their second row is aging and much weaker with the loss of Bekker who I reckon may well have overtaken Matfield in the standings.

Similar for FDP and Habana, I haven't seem them in top notch form for at least a year now.

Steyn is a goal kicking machine, but brings nothing at fly half. I'd be more scared by Fracois Steyn or Lambie at 10 but honestly can't see PDV going for this.

So, does anyone rate this team? Can we make it 2-0 this year? Will they win their group at the WC or is an unexpected reality check waiting which would see us face them in the quarters?

 

[Utility Back]

I think largely to the displeasure of bok fans that Smit will be in there starting, as he is the capatain.

 

[disco]

Still plenty of class in the Springboks but they should play Lambie somewhere in the 1st 15 as he is the Saffas version of JOC (James O'Connor).

As for the Wallabies going there & winning I'm pretty confident we can repeat last years performance.

So, does anyone rate this team?

Yes I do still rate this team & very highly. With Brussow back they'll be able to counter Pocock who had it all his own way last year.

 

[Rebel rouser]

I think largely to the displeasure of bok fans that Smit will be in there starting, as he is the capatain.

Yeah, wasn't sure about this. I thought PDV had declared him captain for the WC campaign, but wasn't sure. If he is, I imagine he'd fit in at Loosehead.

 

[disco]

Former Springbok prop Ollie le Roux believes that John Smit is not good enough to warrant a place in South Africa's World Cup squad.



Bok skipper Smit has come under heavy criticism in the past year, with many believing that he doesn't have the legs to make it to another World Cup and that the combative Bismarck du Plessis is a better option.


However, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has constantly defended his captain and shows no signs that he will drop the Sharks player ahead of this year's showpiece event.


Smit's performance once again came under the microscope after the Springboks' 20-39 Tri-Nations defeat to Australia on Saturday.


"John Smit was dreadful," le Roux told Sport24.


"I can't think how one could even contemplate taking him to the World Cup."


Le Roux added that De Villiers was culpable for the shoddy performance.


"Peter de Villiers again showed that he is not the kind of coach that can get a team to gel. Hopefully things go better when the guys at home return to the team," he mused.


The 38-year-old views the Boks' upcoming clash with the All Blacks with great trepidation.


"The All Blacks are going to be good. The Boks will get a huge hiding if they perform badly," he said.

 

[ACT Crusader]

I think this team could definitely compete with any and keep the scoreline close, the bench will be the more interesting one for me.

Hougaard is an excellent impact player. There are a number of loosies playing in Saffaland that are full on, but will PDV select the right one? Looks like Danie will be the bench lock, and he's a solid test performer with huge experience. Who else?

 

[REDinCPT]

juan smith is close to being fit again and 'should' be in the starting lineup. it will be interesting to see who will be left out for him. there will probably be a temptation to leave brussow out as the others have a higher profile over here in safaland, altho i fear for them that it will end up being a big selection mistake.

 

[Blue]

1. Smit will start. Fuckity fuck.
2. Rossouw will possibly lift Botha out of starting team unless the latter plays well
3. Butch to get the two tests at home in the 3N and will probably cement his position
4. If Juan Smit is fit we may see him or Burger start at 8 for a Brussow / Burger / Smith combo.
5. Habana will play for his life in the home leg of the 3N.

The Stormers defensive coaching team are in charge of Bok defense. We will defend well and kick well.

Will we win? No, I don't think so but I'll guarantee that whomever knocks us out will have a shitfight on their hands like never before.

 

[Blue]

I think this team could definitely compete with any and keep the scoreline close, the bench will be the more interesting one for me.

Hougaard is an excellent impact player. There are a number of loosies playing in Saffaland that are full on, but will PDV select the right one? Looks like Danie will be the bench lock, and he's a solid test performer with huge experience. Who else?

Likely bench assuming starters I listed in my post above:

16. Bismarck
17. Gurthro S
18. Spies
19. One of Bakkies / Rossouw
20. Lambie (covers 10, 12, 15)
21. Pienaar (covers 9, 10, 15)
22. de Jongh (covers 12,13 and wing)

I'd take Hougaard or Pienaar. Pienaar's kicking game is better. In a 5/2 split we might see another prop or even a loosie like F Louw as Spies can cover wing.

Regardless I reckon that's a solid bench.

 

[Blue]

When the All Blacks finish putting a cricket score on the boks next week, one can only imagine there'll be an amazing wave of healing in South Africa

What does that even mean?

We will probably play the Irish in the last 16 right? 50/50 game.

Unless of course Wales or Samoa beat us. In that case we will play Australia?

 

[Blue]

PS BJ Botha may well start as it is widely known that Smit rates him a lot. They scrum very well together. Because Botha is much shorter he gets right under Smit's arm and end up putting huge pressure through the middle. It has worked well against taller looseheads in England and Ireland of late.

 

[Rebel rouser]

1. Smit will start. Fuckity fuck.
2. Rossouw will possibly lift Botha out of starting team unless the latter plays well
3. Butch to get the two tests at home in the 3N and will probably cement his position
4. If Juan Smit is fit we may see him or Burger start at 8 for a Brussow / Burger / Smith combo.
5. Habana will play for his life in the home leg of the 3N.

The Stormers defensive coaching team are in charge of Bok defense. We will defend well and kick well.

Will we win? No, I don't think so but I'll guarantee that whomever knocks us out will have a shitfight on their hands like never before.

Haven't seen/heard much of Butch lately. He's in Europe right? Tbh, he and Morne Steyn are similar in my mind. Basically exponents of 10 man rugby with decent kicking games but little distribution skills. As an outsider I would still be more scared by Lambie or Francois Steyn at 10.

Also, that other Bulls scrummie who occasionally plays on the wing (forgotten his name) looks dangerous at 9. I also wonder whether he'd be more dangerous and for the first time I can ever think it, don't mind seeing FDP being picked as your starting 9.

Don't want to tempt the mocker gods too much, but I think 2011 SA has a fair whiff of 2007 Wallabies to it. ie. Long time established players who have proven class but have been kept around too long. There is an obvious comparison to be made between Gregan and Smit's tenures as captain.

 

[Rebel rouser]

What does that even mean?

I was having a poke at the fact that you're first 15 will instantly be available again. It's a miracle!

 

[Manuel]

I think Broussow and Burger are both considered as opensides for PdV, I think highly unlikely that he will play both. And despite everyone (exaggeration warning) agreeing that Smit, Spies, Steyn and Habana should be left out, I don't think PdV will drop any of them.

 

[Blue]

Haven't seen/heard much of Butch lately. He's in Europe right? Tbh, he and Morne Steyn are similar in my mind. Basically exponents of 10 man rugby with decent kicking games but little distribution skills. As an outsider I would still be more scared by Lambie or Francois Steyn at 10.

Also, that other Bulls scrummie who occasionally plays on the wing (forgotten his name) looks dangerous at 9. I also wonder whether he'd be more dangerous and for the first time I can ever think it, don't mind seeing FDP being picked as your starting 9.

Don't want to tempt the mocker gods too much, but I think 2011 SA has a fair whiff of 2007 Wallabies to it. ie. Long time established players who have proven class but have been kept around too long. There is an obvious comparison to be made between Gregan and Smit's tenures as captain.

Butch James is back in SA. Played six games in Super rugby for the Lions.

The scrummie is Hougaard. He is a good bench and might even start on the wing if Habana doesn't wake up.

 

[Blue]

I think Broussow and Burger are both considered as opensides for PdV, I think highly unlikely that he will play both. And despite everyone (exaggeration warning) agreeing that Smit, Spies, Steyn and Habana should be left out, I don't think PdV will drop any of them.

The Stormers played Burger and F Louw who is a specialist openside to great effect.

PdV has indicated that he will play Brussow and Burger together. He has to get both on the park together.

 

[Blue]

I was having a poke at the fact that you're first 15 will instantly be available again. It's a miracle!

According to latest reports at least ten of those guys will not be fit for the first 3N home games with three more in doubt.

 

[Dane]

Butch James will play, he is far better with ball in hand than Morne and can tackle well , his experience at 2007 WC will be valuable. Van de Linde played very well against the Aussies it will be interesting to see him this weekend against NZ.

players missing from 2010/2011 from the team that featured in 2009's 3 nil drubbing of NZ are Brussouw, Fourie, F Steyn and Burger to a degree. These guys I think will make a huge impact at the world cup, particularly Brussow who stole the show from McCaw in 2009. Im very excited to see the 2 games in South Africa, best team put together for a long time, arguably better than they have ever had.............

1 Beast
2 Smit
3 Cj Van de Linde
4 Matfield
5 Russouw
6 Juan Smith...... when he is fit
7 Brussouw
8 Burger
9. FDP
10. Butch James
11. Habana
12. JDV
13. Fourie
14. Pietersen
15. F Steyn

Bench..........Bakkies, Hougaard, Bj Botha, Bismark, Lambie

 

[Dane]

Forget to mention Spies and Louw on the bench.............

 

[Baldric]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/TriNations/Kankowski-Boks-can-down-NZ-20110725

Kankowski reckons they can take the AB's on the weekend. Now I am a Bok tragic and I suppose he cant say in the press that we are about to have a second rectum ripped, but really Ryan, you are dreaming.