'IF THE WORLD CUP WAS TOMORROW'! South Africa Selection | Post The Rugby Championship 2024
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- 'IF THE WORLD CUP WAS TOMORROW'! South Africa (Springboks) Selection | Post The Rugby Championship 2024
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Rugby artwork in background courtesy of Blair Skivington www.etsy.com/u...
The thing with the current Springboks, who they were playing would dictate the strategy and thus certain key players would be chosen to execute on that strategy.
Great idea! I think you nailed it! The best they had available played yesterday! The injured guys you added are the best when available!
When even the bench has world class potential....
Yes that's spot on mate. Best 23 we have.
Enjoy your content bud. Really appreciate the sincere appraisal of bok rugby from a UK bloke.
Very kind. Thanks
Glad u giving Manie Libbok his props, because in South Africa he isn't appreciated enough for his ball skills and getting that backline going. We got so used to a traditional goalkicking flyhalf that people aren't realising that for this different style of play now, Manie is the man!
I certainly would not argue with your selections. Especially given the importance of the bench in the Bok game plan. We'll done.
I would say Kitshoff for Steenekamp, then Willemse for Fassi at 15, and SFM on the bench (depends who you play for a 5-3 or 6-2)... Also, the fact that you didn't pick De Allende at 12 as the nailed on starter (along with Kolisi, Ezebeth etc) says how underrated he is. Heard an SA journalist say De Allende might be one of the 1st names on Rassie's team sheets (both Kolisi and Pollard agree that DDA is the Boks most underrated player)
Harsh on Fassi
It’s pronounced Apelele instead of Afelele just for future reference
Thanks
AKA "The Weekend Special", easier to remember
Afelele Passi😂
Willemse has to start at 15. Put Am at 23 if you want to have a 5-3. Kolbe, Arendse and Kriel can cover 15 if necessary. Fassi doesnt have enough experience to play a world cup final tomorrow. Willemse has won 2 already. And in theory, relying on Jaden or Manie to do the kicking for the majority of a world cup final is also not the best idea. Going with an attacking gameplan, trying to score tries, playing wide and loose, isnt how you win a world cup final. It worked well against Argentina, and it was fun to watch, but if we're playing a world cup final, Pollard has to start. Go 6-2, Willemse can cover 10, but back Polly to go the full 80. He did in the 2019 final, and the 2023 final. You could put Am or Willie at 23 if you go 6-2, Willie was the only backline replacement in the last final. He's still a fantastic player, not over the hill yet, he's being phased out because the next gen needs to come through, not because he's not currently good enough. So, if the world cup final was tomorrow, id include him, based on the gameplan we'd need to play. his experience, vision and communication would be invaluable. But as i say, Am could aslo slot in there at 23 instead
Totally agree! Some spectators always dream about nothing! Winning a WC final with no tee kicker for 60+ minutes - joke!
NO
Pollard will lose us the game if he plays the full 80, like he did against Ireland despite his 100% kicking stats. He was incredible in 2019 as a player, excellent in 2023 as a kicker but even then was a shadow of what he had been 4 years earlier.
If we go up against Ireland tomorrow in a RWC final with him at 10, we have lost because we cannot kick ourselves to victory anymore, we need to score tries. He is not the player to do that.
If it's Manies kicking that bothers you then fine, but why not go with Sacha. He seems to be the perfect balance of Manie type attack and Pollard like kicking.
Kitshoff too at backup loosehead
17: it will be kitsoff and not steenekamp. 15: will be willemse and sacha at 10, not manie.
Snyman is a world class impact second row. I rate Koch but I think Thomas De Toit should supersede him now.
Kitshoff over Steenekamp. Sacha is an exceptional player and has to be in the 23. If we are being honest, lest we forget how great of a talent he is - Sacha to start over Libbok
I thought Libbok had more time and got the back line working beautifully which resulted in Cheslin getting his hands on the ball so much more which shreds defensive structures. Libbok’s defence was superb and he kicks out of hand so well off either foot. SFM is such a talent, I guess I want him to mature a lot before making him the top ‘General’.
Would like to see what your thoughts would be on which springboks from the 2007/2009 side would be starters in the springbok 2019/2023 side. Would be hard to leave out Os Du Randt, Bismarck Du Plessis, Victor Matfield. Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Fourie Du Preez, Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana.
You are contradicting yourself by not picking some players because they are injured, but then in other positions picking injured players 😅
I mentioned some players are injured. But considered them all fit for selection
In that case Faf is a shoe in at 9 …
Maybe I interpret your way of speaking about 9 and 10 incorrectly
Good show though
Elric Louw has to be the 8th man going forward.
Let’s see Hanekom have a go at this position for a few tests as well and then let Rassie decide 👍🏽
I think you nailed it. I would bring in Kitshof for Steemkamp
Kitshof can do no wrong in my eyes too.
5:3 split is the least likely and only suits your narrative of wanting to include certain players IMO
To a certain extent it would depend on who we are playing against but assuming it’s the ABs, here’s mine picking the best as per your headline:
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambe
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Lood de Jager
6. Siya Kolisi
7. PSdT
8. Jasper Wiese
9. Faf du Plessis
10. Sacha FM
11. KL Arendse
12. Damian D’Allende
13. Jessie Kriel
14. Cheslin Kolbe
15. Aphelele Fassi
16. Malcolm Marx
17. Gerhard Steenekamp
18. Vincent Koch
19. RG Snyman
20. Kwagga Smith
21. Elrigh Louw
22. Grant Williams
23. Damian Willemse
Faf to close out the high pressure games. He was immense in the SF and final.
Malcom Marx is a better starter than you think.
Fassi is him
Really interesting to see it like that! Sort of crazy 9 out of 23 is totally unquestionable even today and have WC winning experience. Most of them 2 with only Ox having one.
Kolbe,Arendse,Sous ,Lood and RG makes every 23 when fit too..That takes it up to 14...
Jeepers!! You certainly do know the springbok team options incredibly well!!! 👏🏽👏🏽
So impressive 😮
So much to think about.. you went a bit fast for me.. but you have made some very interesting and thought provoking comments 🫡
Can’t go past Fassi/Willemse at 15, SFM/Pollard at 10 & Williams/de Klerk @ 9; VERY soon I suspect we’ll be talking Cameron Hanekom @ 8. Incredible how in just 5 games players like SFM, Grant Williams, Nortje, Fassie & Louw have made themselves part of the conversation. But also, how stalwarts, some rated as some of the best in the world not long ago, suddenly aren’t even sure of getting a starting or even a bench spot eg Willemse, Kitshoff, RG Snyman, FAF de Klerk, le Roux, Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager.
WC final is pressure bmt rugby, so we cannot start without reliable kickers. Pollard has done it already many times, he plays the full 80.
Williams rather than Faf on the bench. Moodie rather than Jesse - given that we have 3 years to go to world cup.
Agreed, that is one scary side! Very little to debate around on this!❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥
thx good content
Glad you enjoyed
I wouldn't put Kitshoff in that team...he's lost his form long before the 2023 world cup. He made numerous errors which could've lost us any of the games we won.
I have it largely similar apart from:
10 SFM
17 Kitshoff
18 Thomas du Toit
That's a lethal team
Spot on. If one was being picky, De Jager at 5 would possibly start if fit. If not, I really like what I see from Nortje. I would probably also have Williams on the bench rather than Faf.
Great selections. I am however thinking that Elrich Louw gives more cover from the bench than Snyman. Louw is an enforcer who can play lock, flank or 8th man and he has been making a big impact when coming off the bench in the last couple of tests.
Fassi has natural ability to play experience isnt a problem. Player like fassi is natural great on high ball. Willie is brilliant is he is on form, but he can cost you a game.
Am was the best centre in the world 2 years ago. Crazy how an injury can set you back!
I'd go Lood de Jager with Mostert on the bench (can also cover blindside flank and like PSTD he's got a huge engine, imagine giving him 30 minutes off the bench to clean out rucks!). SFM at 10 with Pollard on the bench. Willemse at 15 with Moodie on the bench (covering wing and 13 with Chesie to go to fullback). Alternatively Libbok at 10, Willemse at 15 with Pollard and SFM on the bench. Fassi is great but assuming no injuries Willemse is the incumbent, a proven WC winner and probably a better kicking game.
Great team..I wouldn't change anything..Can make an argument for starting Polly,and playing SFM off the bench in a 6-2 split.
Fassi is a great addition and it’s great he has proved his worth. But willemse is just next level. But it’s great to have a solid 15 option and willemse can also play more positions.
Sacha has not fallen off at all!! Hes just been injured the last few weeks.
If Loodt De Jager was fit and had a few games under his belt he would walk into the team. I do believe that Pollard would be the starting 10 with Williamse the Fullback. I would have Am at 13 as he is a more creative player. I would have a 6-2 split. My only changes to your team is 10,13 and 15. On the bench would be the bomb squad. I would have Kitchoff instead of Steenekamp, Mostert, Koch, RG Snyman,Smith and Marx. Backs De Klerk and Fenberg Mgomozulu.
Lood de Jager and Kitshoff on the bench and drop Libbok, no way Rassie would take a 5-3 into a final
Think Kolbe at 15 is one to look at, the guy could be so much more dangerous if given the ball even more!
Interesting idea. I like Fassi but Cheslin on 15 . It is worth checking out for sure.
He’s a magician in tight spaces. He’s been surprising world class defenders his entire career. There is no number 14 like him, such a weapon. I would leave him to cause chaos on the right wing.
you forgotSteven Kitshoff, Lebok I would leave him out, gotta have Hendre, need that kicker
I think you have to look past RG Snyman tbh, he hasnt played any rugby at all and when he has hes been okay… think there are other locks that deserve a shout
Excellent choices. Thank you Rich ✌🇿🇦
Can't fault this selection and logic. Well done!
WC team if the final was today:
Ox Bongi Malherbe Eben Lood Siya PSDT Louw
Faf Pollard KLA DDA Kriel Willie
Subs: Steenekamp Marx Koch RG Mostert Kwagga
Grant Sacha or DW
Am over Kriel...but that's just me.
1 nche 2. Mbonambi 3. Malhabere 4. Etzebeth 5. Synman 6. Kolisi 7. Du toit 8. Louw
9. Reinach 10. Pollard 11. Kolbe 12 De Allande 13. Kreil 14. Arendse 15. Willesme
16 marx 17 steenkamp 18 Koch 19 mostert 20 Smith 21 Williams 22 Am 23 Fassi
Yes sir u truly know your springboks
Steenekamp out Kitshof in. Otherwise agree
Weldone, your analysis is really good
With 16....no doubts....is the best.
How about
1 nche
2 mbonambi
3 malherbe
4 etzebeth
5 mostert
6 kolisi
7 psdt
8 wiese
9 hendrikse
10 libbok
11 kla
12 de allende
13 kriel
14 kolbe
15 willemse
Against
1 kitzhoff
2 marx
3 koch
4 rg snyman
5 de jager
6 van staden
7 louw
8 kwagga
9 williams
10 pollard
11 mapimpi
12 esterhuuzen
13 am
14 moody
15 fassie
Bench for both
1. Stenekamp
2 jan hendrik
3 thomas du toit
4 kleyn
5 nortje
6 ben jason dixon
7 sasha
8. Faf
Who wins that game...
1 Nche
2 Mbonambi
3 Malherbe
4 Etzebeth
5 Nortje
6 Kolisi (c)
7 du Toit
8 Wiese
9 Hendrikse
10 Pollard
11 Kolbe
12 de Allende
13 Kriel
14 Arendse
15 Willemse
16 Marx
17 Steenekamp
18 Koch
19 Kleyn
20 Louw
21 Smith
22 Williams
23 Feinberg-Mngomezulu
That’s my team as well !
Perfect team as of today
Do Boks VS Eng in November
……and who is on tee kicking duties for the first 60+ minutes??? Not Libbok surely! Who?
Hendrikse
Great team. 👏
6-2 split 🥲
It's Apelele, not Afelele
And Wiese not Weise
Same thing! Only 1 player with a name like that or similar!
Sorry but Kriel is the best outside centre in the world right now. Am is not the same after the injury
his not a traditional outside centre plays more like a flank
I think there are clear signs that he's on the up though. I reckon he'll shine in the Autumn if given game time.
Lood de Jagger
Good team!
The man of the match. Ben O Keeffe. Inclinó la cancha para SA, lamentable.
what did the ref get wrong?
Kitshoff
Moerat is pap
Great discussion. It's Wiese not Weise❤in your sidebar.
dammit, I normally get that one right, honest
@@rugbyanalystI know!!
Pollard on 10 and Am in his place on the Bench - and I agree
or am for fassi and willemse 15
I would only change these Willie at 15, De Klerk at 9 DeJagar at 4, Pollard at 10, and Sasha at 23
Well done.. future : SMZ,and if not him Plrd..Libbok càn become goalkicker if he got integrity to relearn his under par goal kicking.He can easily go on course with Morne Steyn..but seems he one those entitled guys..
Nr 8... Wiese is monster..but take note present Blue Bulls nr 8..Cameron Hanekom.
Am gets nowhere near that 13 jersey. There's a reason he's been a backup 12. They're tryna find a different role for him. He's closer to falling out the team than getting a starting berth. Bar injury that is. Kriel has been the world's best 13 for the past few years now and is pivotal in running our defensive structures. Taking him out would be nonsensical for the coaches. The way Tony plays, Kriel has been the constant in that position for a reason.
I think Kriel has held that jersey cos there's been no one close since Am got injured. In 2022, Am was the 2nd best player on the planet (to Dupont) - people (not me) had question marks around Kriel when Am got injured, but it was during the 2023 WC where Kriel cemented his place. I think the reason Am's been playing 12 is to give him game time to get up to match fitness, whilst giving De Allende a rest. Plus, Am's distribution skills does perhaps suit Tony-ball as well. Kriel's form (and his agility) make him indispensable, but Am's strength is his rugby brain - how he reads the game, kind of like Willie LR on attack - but I wouldn't say "Am gets nowhere near the jersey".
Wow how quickly you forget. Before Am injury he was considered one of the best centres worldwide and kriel was non existent. In Ams absense Kriel has come good and is sensational right now. Returning from injury does not mean you are bad just takes time. Skill is more Ams style. Damian, Kriel, and Am cannot be excluded as he says in a worldcup. Centres would need a break.
@@StevenBenjaminAuthor well I would say that, because you're referring to a time where Am still had his legs underneath him and his conditioning was holding up. Age is catching up to him quickly and his lack of mobility doesn't suit our defensive structures. That's just the honest truth. Your point around his ability to distribute is true, however, as seen in the game before last, he was caught in no man's land through Argentina's midfield press and had to cross the gainline to relieve pressure and he couldn't, so they targeted his channel. It's not that he can't still play 12 or 13 in some games, through rotation and possibly certain strategies. But in general, his time is up at the top level. I believe in the next few years, there'll be a younger crop they'll try out in the mix. What's more likely is Kriel looks over his shoulder to those youngsters, not Am.
Kolisi over rated and misses tackles….time to retire him.
Don’t underestimate what a leader brings to the table. The Boks play their best when they’re emotionally up for the game. Siya makes captaincy look easy.
Not having SFG is a crime! I would also go for Kitshoff when fully fit instead of Steenkamp. With SFG that means I can got for a 6-2 split which means no Pollard and Evan Roos comes in
He said tomorrow, if everyone's fit..Right now Sacha is getting game time because he is seen as someone that can be 'that guy' in 2027.But any coach will go with his most experienced team in a final..So Manie/Pollard would start if we played a final tomorrow. Hopefully this is Sacha's last serious injury.Masuku and Jordan H want a look in 2..😊
SFM has unbelievable talent but he has a lot of growing up to do before he runs the team in the biggest games. He comes across as a glory hog.
Sorry for the shity translation of IA: Speaking of refereeing, I don’t want to make a simplistic analysis; we can’t reduce it to good or bad refereeing, it’s more complex than that. There’s a version that wants to prove its thesis that “bad refereeing” is only perceived that way by the losers, and to demonstrate this, it takes actions that validate this while discarding or minimizing others. To do that analysis properly, we would have to see all the infractions, but that also wouldn’t give us a true measure of the refereeing. There are people that want to show that the biased perception of the loser sees biased refereeing where there isn’t any. In last Saturday’s match, the moment an nonexistent or at least questionable foul is called is important. Undoubtedly, the nonexistent penalty against Grondona when Argentina had just scored a try and was coming in positively (for that, they should call when the ball is thrown crooked to the scrum by the 9 with the book in hand) was a turning point. And then we enter the territory of “what if we had played that lineup on their field when we were on the rise?” I agree that Boke doesn’t need any favors from the referee; they defend themselves because they are beasts, and they would have won by half a point because one-on-one, they are excellent, and as a team today, they are better. Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place.What I mean is that the Pumas are the poor little brother who has just joined the family business of Tier 1. They didn’t get in like Italy did because their parents paid for a Master’s at MIT and financed them as a chronic student for 20 years; the Pumas went to public school, started their startup, and today it’s a success due to their own merit. The other brothers from the 6 Nations and Tri Nations could no longer pretend to be foolish, and they were brought into the company. But beware, the accountants, lawyers, and engineers of the family business all respond and know who pays their salaries and maintains their status, and they are not these poor savages with an invented black legend for playing dirty (they call it physicality and grit, which is all that Anglo-Saxon journalism highlights about the Pumas). That’s why the refereeing last Saturday is not an exception; it’s the rule for almost all referees against Argentina. We’re not saying that Ben O Trickffie has been given a briefcase to whistle against them; it’s that he, like his fellow international referees, consciously and unconsciously knows who owns the Circus. The scrutiny applied to Argentina in refereeing is not the same as for the rich older brothers. The Boke can enter rucks with a machete, from above, from the side, from below; if the player gets a second of touching the ball, it’s Pumas’ retention. For them to call that on the Pumas, five eternal seconds have to pass with the player receiving caresses from the opposing front row, etc. (it's just a small example). And this makes you play with fear, not at the limit of the infraction as rugby should be played. This subtlety-being psychological-changes the narrative.It’s curious that in this corporate analogy we don’t have any lawyers or accountants in the company (which international referee does Argentina have?) There are good referees in Argentina, but anyone who wants to reach that level will have to wear kneepads and be more papist than the pope or than Jako. Just look at how all the Tier 1 staffs have former referees in their ranks, so that we see that referees aren’t cloistered monks, but mercenaries in a way. Everyone has a price and knows who pays it. From there onward, the subtleties that tilt the playing field are evident. Once again, the rich older brothers don’t want us to grow, and they cut themselves off when they see us gaining momentum (cuts from the Rugby Championship by the Boke and AB). But I also understand that the Pumas got there not by adhering to a victimhood that is more typical of the Chileans, but by poking the eyes of these abusive brothers. Go, Pumas!!!