Rugby...

[BSG]

 

Since it is a pro sport I have nothing against overseas based players, as long as they are the best for the job. That said, JP was useless and Jaques was not a lot better. Lambie proved he can't handle those big shoes. Scrappy game though, ref confused and lost it. Bad pitch proved too much to handle for the scrums.

Carbon, I agree with you regarding using the best you've got available, but I'm sure that SA must have some good players somewhere. And I just have a problem because you have guys playing their hearts out through the year and then be sidelined because a "well used" player catches the limelight playing overseas. I will then definitely also rather go and play for money overseas and give SA rugby a "up yours". Like you said, both Jp and Jacques only wasted our money tonight. Well this is my personal feeling.

[dev null]

Jacques did not look very much in touch with the team and was a bit off the pace. Not his usuall self. Maybe playing in Japan made him soft? JPP was slow, but at least he did some good tackles. Now the big mystery to me was why did HM sub Eben for Peter, and not Flip? Surely Eben is much fitter than Flip. I could see Flip was struggling to keep up in the last 10 minutes.

 

Ref was downright terrible with scrums. Even the commentators made a snide remark about how the ref is trying to blame the hookers after the props were subbed.

[Christie]

Good win, given poor underfoot conditions and confusing ref.

First line defensive structure was bad, no better than the last game against NZ. JF was supposed to improve that, but he was below par imo. How about giving Jan Serfontein a start?

JPP and Lambie was nothing special. Steyn looked better at 10, although he misses tackles.

 

Forewards were great, they look like the best in the business. HM has some time to get the back line defense sorted, the we will have a challenge for the world cup.

[Stretch]

Good win, given poor underfoot conditions and confusing ref.

First line defensive structure was bad, no better than the last game against NZ. JF was supposed to improve that, but he was below par imo. How about giving Jan Serfontein a start?

JPP and Lambie was nothing special. Steyn looked better at 10, although he misses tackles.

 

Forewards were great, they look like the best in the business. HM has some time to get the back line defense sorted, the we will have a challenge for the world cup.

I am now convinced that lambie is a better fullback..he just looks way more comfortable there

[flymango]

I would pick the following team for next week:

 

15 Lambie

14 Le Roux

13 De Villiers

12 Serfontein

11 Habana

10 Goosen

9 Du Preez

8 Vermeulen

7 Alberts

6 Louw (although I'd love to see Brussouw. Ok, get over it already)

5 Du Toit

4 Etzebeth

3 ???

2 Strauss (because I've got JdV at 13 - bit far from the engine room)

1 Steenkamp

[Ceres]

I would pick the following team for next week:

 

15 Lambie

14 Le Roux

13 De Villiers

12 Serfontein

11 Habana

10 Goosen

9 Du Preez

8 Vermeulen

7 Alberts

6 Louw (although I'd love to see Brussouw. Ok, get over it already)

5 Du Toit

4 Etzebeth

3 ???

2 Strauss (because I've got JdV at 13 - bit far from the engine room)

1 Steenkamp

 

I agree mostly with that team but you can't leave Bismark out he steals way too many balls and he is stronger than Strauss. On those soggy fields you want that. Also cant see them dropping JP, not enough players of colour in the team then.

[ccc2]

i want to see a tongan,fijian,samoan or an argentinian referee take charge of a test during the 'outgoing tour'. i dare the irb to try it.

[GLuvsMtb]

Carbon, I agree with you regarding using the best you've got available, but I'm sure that SA must have some good players somewhere. And I just have a problem because you have guys playing their hearts out through the year and then be sidelined because a "well used" player catches the limelight playing overseas. I will then definitely also rather go and play for money overseas and give SA rugby a "up yours". Like you said, both Jp and Jacques only wasted our money tonight. Well this is my personal feeling.

There are some good reasons to let the old pro's play overseas. Here are a few:

1. They cost 3 to 5 times more than what local young players cost. I'd rather have budget to contract a strong pool of younger players than a handful of old pro's

2. Leaving room for younger players mean that they have more opportunities during Super Rugby. By the time they get the nod for the Springbok squad they would have at least 30 Super Rugby games under the belt. Its not exactly the same as international rugby, but its a big step up from Vodacom cup and Currie Cup.

3. A change is as good as a holiday. Sometimes a change in scenery, new coaching methods and structures, new team mates and a new challenge can blow a second wind into a player's career. Players like Habana and Du Preez seem so much more invigorated. They both left voids at their respective provinces that was filled with very good replacements.

4. Living overseas affords these players the opportunity to earn much better money than at home. If my working career had a 10 year shelf life I would do all I can to cash in towards the end. No one is going to look after these guys after they hang up their boots. They'll have to find work in the industry or they have to fall back on their off-the-field qualifications to eat in 10 years time. Yes, they live the high life right now, but there are quite a few that donned the Springbok jersey a few years ago that is selling insurance now. No one is giving them kudos now for not going to France / UK to build up a little nest egg.

 

Do you also think that our cricketers are not to play IPL cricket? The fact of the matter is that many of our players come home after a stint overseas much more rounded players. We should afford these guys the opportunity to chase their dreams. As long as they contribute to the team and as long as they are better suited for the job, I'd pick them any day.

[BSG]

GluvsMtb, I agree with you to a point. We all want the Boks to win, but is winning everything in live? My English teacher at shool always said, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you've played the game". If I had to step aside as a season long player for some "has been" then surely I would look at playing my rugby elsewhere. But then again, I am not the one making decisions and my cries for what I believe in will only fall on deaf ears. This is only my "humble opinion"

Edited November 10, 2013 by BennieGerber

[Greybeard]

It seems to me from the comments that most of the armchair critics forgot a few simple points...............Wales are the current six nations champs, They had 11 Lions players in their side, we played them at home and, last, not least, the All Blacks battled to get their game together against the six nations wooden spoon team.

 

Come on guys, drop the provincialism and give the players the kudos they deserve.

 

They beat the best the Northern hemisphere Team!

[Greybeard]

I would pick the following team for next week:

 

15 Lambie

14 Le Roux

13 De Villiers

12 Serfontein

11 Habana

10 Goosen

9 Du Preez

8 Vermeulen

7 Alberts

6 Louw (although I'd love to see Brussouw. Ok, get over it already)

5 Du Toit

4 Etzebeth

3 ???

2 Strauss (because I've got JdV at 13 - bit far from the engine room)

1 Steenkamp

If you are unsure about tighthead, what makes you choose a totally unplayed and untried Goosen at pivot. I also wonder just what Bismarck has to do more to convince the amateur critics that he is the best hooker in the world. Once again take into context the strength of the side that we BEAT on Saturday.

[Stretch]

If you are unsure about tighthead, what makes you choose a totally unplayed and untried Goosen at pivot. I also wonder just what Bismarck has to do more to convince the amateur critics that he is the best hooker in the world. Once again take into context the strength of the side that we BEAT on Saturday.

 

Bismarck had a cracking game i thought.... except for one thing....his throw into the line...I am not sure if it was bad jumping or bad throwing, but something was amiss in the lineouts

[Greybeard]

Bismarck had a cracking game i thought.... except for one thing....his throw into the line...I am not sure if it was bad jumping or bad throwing, but something was amiss in the lineouts

Meyer needs to now pair up the two talents that we have in Etsebeth and Du Toit. We were though up against a very canny lineout man in Jones. He can be disruptive at the best of times.

[Stretch]

Meyer needs to now pair up the two talents that we have in Etsebeth and Du Toit. We were though up against a very canny lineout man in Jones. He can be disruptive at the best of times.

 

Although Alberts was also looking good on Saturday

[flymango]

If you are unsure about tighthead, what makes you choose a totally unplayed and untried Goosen at pivot. I also wonder just what Bismarck has to do more to convince the amateur critics that he is the best hooker in the world. Once again take into context the strength of the side that we BEAT on Saturday.

 

I chose Goosen at 10 on the assumption that Steyn is out. I now hear he will be ready. Lambie is my first choice 15, so we need to look to the future at 10. If Steyn is fit, I'd play him with Goosen off the bench.

 

Bismarck is the world's best. And Strauss is probably in the top 4. I chose Strauss ahead of Bismarck because I think we have a real talent at 12 in Serfontein which we need to nurture. JJ doesn't do it for me at 13. So I'd pick Serfontein at 12 and move JdV to 13. But at 13 he literally is far from the action, so I pick Strauss for his leadership qualities in the engine room.

[Shebeen]

At halftime i thought we were in for one of the all time classic games, 2nd half was dismal from pretty much everyone.

I expected WAAAY better from lambie, I know he played all week from 15 in practice but he should be able to step up to flyhalf.

 

I want to see Coenie Oosthuizen's match report, should be a laugh.