I have Matfield behind our other 3 locks and would've prefered we spent the last 4 years looking at younger options that might've served us longer.
I think we are going to see all of them or at least 4 out of the 5 you mentioned. I think Pienaar is going to open with Paige coming on second half.
I think you're probably right. I hope not all 5 though, goodness! I could maybe live with 3. I'd prefer Kriel and De Allende to get as much time together as possible. Hopefully
we don't see a totally rejigged team. My own preferences :
1 Nyakane give Beast a rest, he deserves an extended one.
2 If they are fit and 100% start Strauss and Bismarck off the bench. I rate Brits but with Strauss and Bismarck having swapped around both should be able to keep up here. I mean, we have 10 days towards the QF and you don't want these guys getting cold.
3 Malherbe- deserved to start beforehand in any case. Give Jannie a break as he is carrying ****le and isn't looking as sharp as he did in the first two matches of the RC.
4 De Jager - Etzebeth on the bench. De Jager is looking good, why take him off? He had the Japan game 1/2 off and again, we have 10 days towards the QF and you don't want the key players going in cold.
5 PSdT - give the man a shot in the position he is favoring
6 Kolisi because Louw doesn't look 100% and has been carrying a lot of responsibility. He is another that could possibly do with 2 weeks off.
7 Alberts because teh man needs game time
8 Vermeulen - see Alberts, he needs to get match fit
9 Paige - because he isn't Pienaar and FdP is our key man and we don't want to risk him
10 Steyn - why not? If we're not going to play FdP I see little benefit in fielding Pollard as the other half of our 1st choice halves.
11 Habana - he wants the tries! Give it to him.
12 De Allende - he is a beast and doesn't need rest especially since he wasn't picked for vs Japan
13 Kriel - has been on and off already so can do with the game time and chance to rekindle his form and partnership with DDA.
14 Mvovo -seeing as JPP is injured? If JPP is fine then play the man- he is in finding form after long time out so let him continue to do so and maybe even push for top try scorer.
15 Le Roux - because he needs it. Also sat out vs Japan so why again?
16 Bismarck/Strauss/Brits little between them
17 little matter.
18 "
19 Etzebeth or Matfield but give the starters time
20 Burger
21 FdP but let
22 Pat Lambie to cover 10 and 15
23 Serfontein to have a stretch of the legs
