With the Lions being the sole surviving SA team in the semi's, and demolishing the Landers to make the final, there is plenty of talk about the Bok team consisting of atleast 50-70% Lions, especially after it was essentially all the Lions player who made the biggest impact against Ireland.
1. Tendai 'Beast Mtawarira
2. Adriaan Strauss (c)
3. Julian Redelinghys
- Beast might have been quiet after the June break, but still showed he had it with his good ball carrying in all 3 tests, and scrummed particularly well in the third test. Strauss automatically retains as he is captain. Redelinghys pops in to the starting XV due to an injury to Frans Malherbe, who actually was far from his fantastic form at the World Cup last year against Ireland -
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
- The Stormers and Bok Lock pairing for the last 2 tests have leaped bounds, and still performed well after the June Break, it would be very naive for AC to split them -
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Warren Whiteley/Duane Vermuelen
8. Duane Vermuelen/Warren Whiteley (vc)
- With an injury to Siya Kolisi, Warren Whiteley should come into the starting lineup and should rightly also be vice-captain, after fantastic performances off the bench in the first 2 tests against Ireland and once again making great contributions in the 3rd test. One area I can't decide Tis whether Duane will play blindside (in SA 7 is considered blindside) or 8. I would personally play Whiteley at 8 as Faf is at 9, and both playing for the Lions over the past 3 years have a great relationship and know what each other want. Jaco Kriel deserves a start, and it would be very unwise for him not to start. François Louw can still add value off the bench if need be, but Jaco is simply too good to be left out. That try-saving tackle against Faddes could prove to be the match-winning tackle in the 80th minute on Savea to win the match -
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Elton Jantjies
- Nothing needs to be said, both are the 2 best halfbacks in South Africa, and currently perhaps on par if not slightly below on confidence and form against Perenara and Barrett. Faf won the series for South Africa in the 3rd test with 2 try-savers (one tackle and one intercept) -
12. Damian De Allende (Rohan Janse Van Rensburg)
13. Lionel Mapoe
- The reason I have bracketed Damian with Rohan is because while Rohan has been twice the player Damian has been, Damian will probably start in some of the earlier tests. Damian is very one-dimensional, the Chiefs knew exactly how to shut him out, because he has no versatility and can't pass, and for me lacks some pace. Rohan had a quieter game against the Landers than the Saders but still scored an intercept try, and for a man that weighs nearly over 110 kg, and has legs the size of tree trunks, he completely gassed Faddes and Sopoaga. Rohan has to start against the All Blacks and Oz as Damian's defence even last years when he was on form was and is simply atrocious. Lionel didn't have any opportunities due to Damian not giving him good ball against Ireland, and plays 10x better next to Rohan -
11. Bryan Habana
14. Ruan Combrinck
15. Jesse Kriel
- Bryan Habana is one of the only experienced players in the backline, with Kriel still only with 12 caps. Habana may not be the same old pace machine, but his performance at the World Cup still shows his prowess, class and ability to find and cross the tryline. Combrinck too has not lost any momentum since the June break, and has been the best wing in South Africa. There isn't any place for Willie Le Roux in the Bok side anymore. He needs to find his 2013-2014 touch again, and then he will be considered. His running is too lateral, and had one moment of brilliance in 3 tests against Ireland. Many pointless kicks, average defence and received a yellow card. Jesse Kriel has played 12 tests for the Bok at 13, and hasn't really fit into the Bulls 13 mould. Warrick Gelant focused on the SA sevens, he was moved to fullback to allow Dries Swanepoel to play 13, and Burger Odendaal to replace the injured Serfontein in the 12 jersey. He looked way more comfortable in the 15 jersey, made many clean breaks, and was instrumental in many of the Bulls tries. He showed glimpses of his 2015 form, where he beat countless defenders and even used his strength to bump off many -
Bench:
Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane/Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, François Louw, Rudy Paige, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen/Rohan Janse van Rensburg
- Malcolm Marx will get his chance at some point during the championship and I believe if Strauss weren't captain, he would be starting. Either Kitshoff or Nyakane to cover the loosehead, probably Kitshoff because Nyakane has been injured. With Malherbe injured, Redelinghys starts and Koch should return to the Bok setup off the bench, as his scrummaging and physicality has been valuable to the Stormers setup. He scored 2 tries against the Chiefs in the Quarter-final. Mostert too has performed for Lions and Boks during the Ireland test series, and will likely continue playing off the bench. As much as I don't think Rudy Paige is good enough to play for the Boks, he is probably gonna feature, since SA is currently slim with scrumhalves. Cobus Reinach who has featured for the Boks in the past 2 years, is injured, and Jano Vermaak as well hasn't been playing too well. I wouldn't mind Ross Cronjé as backup, as he has been as good for the Lions in the Currie Cup and off the bench for Faf. Even Nic Groom should be considered for the Boks. Lambie is also one of the leaders in the squad, and with Pollard injured, he is definitely a trustworthy candidate who could finish off the last 10-15 minutes in a very tight match, with Elton off the field. JP Pietersen could also add some good experience off the bench, but if Damian is starting, we need Rohan on the bench, he is simply the best 12 in SR at the moment.
1. Tendai 'Beast Mtawarira
2. Adriaan Strauss (c)
3. Julian Redelinghys
- Beast might have been quiet after the June break, but still showed he had it with his good ball carrying in all 3 tests, and scrummed particularly well in the third test. Strauss automatically retains as he is captain. Redelinghys pops in to the starting XV due to an injury to Frans Malherbe, who actually was far from his fantastic form at the World Cup last year against Ireland -
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
- The Stormers and Bok Lock pairing for the last 2 tests have leaped bounds, and still performed well after the June Break, it would be very naive for AC to split them -
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Warren Whiteley/Duane Vermuelen
8. Duane Vermuelen/Warren Whiteley (vc)
- With an injury to Siya Kolisi, Warren Whiteley should come into the starting lineup and should rightly also be vice-captain, after fantastic performances off the bench in the first 2 tests against Ireland and once again making great contributions in the 3rd test. One area I can't decide Tis whether Duane will play blindside (in SA 7 is considered blindside) or 8. I would personally play Whiteley at 8 as Faf is at 9, and both playing for the Lions over the past 3 years have a great relationship and know what each other want. Jaco Kriel deserves a start, and it would be very unwise for him not to start. François Louw can still add value off the bench if need be, but Jaco is simply too good to be left out. That try-saving tackle against Faddes could prove to be the match-winning tackle in the 80th minute on Savea to win the match -
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Elton Jantjies
- Nothing needs to be said, both are the 2 best halfbacks in South Africa, and currently perhaps on par if not slightly below on confidence and form against Perenara and Barrett. Faf won the series for South Africa in the 3rd test with 2 try-savers (one tackle and one intercept) -
12. Damian De Allende (Rohan Janse Van Rensburg)
13. Lionel Mapoe
- The reason I have bracketed Damian with Rohan is because while Rohan has been twice the player Damian has been, Damian will probably start in some of the earlier tests. Damian is very one-dimensional, the Chiefs knew exactly how to shut him out, because he has no versatility and can't pass, and for me lacks some pace. Rohan had a quieter game against the Landers than the Saders but still scored an intercept try, and for a man that weighs nearly over 110 kg, and has legs the size of tree trunks, he completely gassed Faddes and Sopoaga. Rohan has to start against the All Blacks and Oz as Damian's defence even last years when he was on form was and is simply atrocious. Lionel didn't have any opportunities due to Damian not giving him good ball against Ireland, and plays 10x better next to Rohan -
11. Bryan Habana
14. Ruan Combrinck
15. Jesse Kriel
- Bryan Habana is one of the only experienced players in the backline, with Kriel still only with 12 caps. Habana may not be the same old pace machine, but his performance at the World Cup still shows his prowess, class and ability to find and cross the tryline. Combrinck too has not lost any momentum since the June break, and has been the best wing in South Africa. There isn't any place for Willie Le Roux in the Bok side anymore. He needs to find his 2013-2014 touch again, and then he will be considered. His running is too lateral, and had one moment of brilliance in 3 tests against Ireland. Many pointless kicks, average defence and received a yellow card. Jesse Kriel has played 12 tests for the Bok at 13, and hasn't really fit into the Bulls 13 mould. Warrick Gelant focused on the SA sevens, he was moved to fullback to allow Dries Swanepoel to play 13, and Burger Odendaal to replace the injured Serfontein in the 12 jersey. He looked way more comfortable in the 15 jersey, made many clean breaks, and was instrumental in many of the Bulls tries. He showed glimpses of his 2015 form, where he beat countless defenders and even used his strength to bump off many -
Bench:
Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane/Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, François Louw, Rudy Paige, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen/Rohan Janse van Rensburg
- Malcolm Marx will get his chance at some point during the championship and I believe if Strauss weren't captain, he would be starting. Either Kitshoff or Nyakane to cover the loosehead, probably Kitshoff because Nyakane has been injured. With Malherbe injured, Redelinghys starts and Koch should return to the Bok setup off the bench, as his scrummaging and physicality has been valuable to the Stormers setup. He scored 2 tries against the Chiefs in the Quarter-final. Mostert too has performed for Lions and Boks during the Ireland test series, and will likely continue playing off the bench. As much as I don't think Rudy Paige is good enough to play for the Boks, he is probably gonna feature, since SA is currently slim with scrumhalves. Cobus Reinach who has featured for the Boks in the past 2 years, is injured, and Jano Vermaak as well hasn't been playing too well. I wouldn't mind Ross Cronjé as backup, as he has been as good for the Lions in the Currie Cup and off the bench for Faf. Even Nic Groom should be considered for the Boks. Lambie is also one of the leaders in the squad, and with Pollard injured, he is definitely a trustworthy candidate who could finish off the last 10-15 minutes in a very tight match, with Elton off the field. JP Pietersen could also add some good experience off the bench, but if Damian is starting, we need Rohan on the bench, he is simply the best 12 in SR at the moment.
