Springbok Squad for June Tests 2018

[TRF_heineken]

Okay, so let's discuss the bok team for the June tests. We play 4 matches, one against Wales and 3 against England.

So let's see what everyone else is thinking. Bearing in mind that it seems like Rassie will be able to pick overseas players even if they haven't played 30 tests for SA.

Starting XV:

1. Steven Kitshoff
2. Malcolm Marx (if he's fit, Otherwise I'd go for Adriaan Strauss)
3. Wilco Louw
4. Lood De Jager
5. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
6. Siya Kolisi (not that he's been that impressive the past few weeks)
7. Jean-Luc Du Preez
8. Duane Vermeulen

9. Faf De Klerk
10. Handre Pollard
11. Aphiwe Dyanthi
12. Frans Steyn
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Ruan Combrink
15. Warrick Gelant

16. Lizo Gqoboka
17. Adriaan Strauss / Bismarck Du Plessis
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. RG Snyman
20. Warren Whiteley
21. Cobus Reinach
22. Elton Jantjies
23. Pat Lambie

24. Beast Mtawarira
25. Frans Malherbe
26. Ruan Botha
27. Thembelani Bholi
28. Johan Goosen
29. Juan De Jongh
30. Lukhanyo Am
31. Damian De Allende

Now this squad is who I think will be picked based on performances in this year's Super Rugby tournament, as well as most of them already have Bok caps, and is a good mix of Specialists and versatility. Add to that, 1/3 of this squad is black players, and could be used to the advantage of the coach to apply the transformation policy.

Other players worth mentioning:

Oupa Mohoje
Ox Nche
Sbu Nkosi
Makazole Mapimpi
Travis Ishmaiel
Francois Venter
Kwagga Smith
Pierre Schoeman
Kobus Wiese
Dan Du Preez
Thomas Du Toit
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Andries Coetzee
Ross Cronje
Embrose Papier

 

[Welshdragon2000]

Robert Du Preez has played well for the Sharks on his day. Bosch is another one who can put in some good performances, what about him? Or is he still not at international level?

I've only seen a handful of super rugby games this year so you'll have to fill me in on a couple of the selections.

 

[Big_Grumper]

The composition of the Boks' squad has me as interested as the England one.

I wouldn't make many changes to your starting XV. I'd bring a few of the 24 - 31 players onto the bench: de Allende, Am & de Jongh.

 

[Mumbles119]

Is the game against Wales in the USA still happening? I thought there was some talk of it being canned.

 

[Thingimubob]

Is the game against Wales in the USA still happening? I thought there was some talk of it being canned.

Still on! Got confirmed by all parties a week or two ago, or at least that's what I saw on twitter.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Is the game against Wales in the USA still happening? I thought there was some talk of it being canned.

As far as we know it's still on. The biggest issue is the promoter of the game that is having financial problems, and not the SA or Welsh unions.

But the thing is that this game is one week ahead of the England incoming tour, and the talk here in SA is that Rassie will only send 8 guys to the US who will feature in the England Series, while the rest of the guys will be mostly fringe players.

@Welshdragon2000 & @Big_Grumper - You do make valuable points, and Robert Du Preez is certainly in for a shout, but it all depends on how Rassie will pick the overseas based players. If he's going to use mostly local guys, then guys like Du Preez, Am and De Allende will certainly feature a lot more. But if he's allowed to load his team with experienced boks playing good rugby up north, then I can't see the fringe players getting much game time.

 

[User1245]

Looks like Wales are going to field a weakened side:

http://m.sarugbymag.co.za/?postslug=/#weakened-wales-to-face-boks

The Boks will follow suit no doubt. This Test match is becoming the sham everyone has been predicting. USA fans are getting a raw deal. Which is a real shame because the All Blacks vs Ireland game was a true spectacle in comparison.

 

[mdaclarke]

Okay, so let's discuss the bok team for the June tests. We play 4 matches, one against Wales and 3 against England.

So let's see what everyone else is thinking. Bearing in mind that it seems like Rassie will be able to pick overseas players even if they haven't played 30 tests for SA.

Starting XV:

1. Steven Kitshoff
2. Malcolm Marx (if he's fit, Otherwise I'd go for Adriaan Strauss)
3. Wilco Louw
4. Lood De Jager
5. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
6. Siya Kolisi (not that he's been that impressive the past few weeks)
7. Jean-Luc Du Preez
8. Duane Vermeulen

9. Faf De Klerk
10. Handre Pollard
11. Aphiwe Dyanthi
12. Frans Steyn
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Ruan Combrink
15. Warrick Gelant

16. Lizo Gqoboka
17. Adriaan Strauss / Bismarck Du Plessis
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. RG Snyman
20. Warren Whiteley
21. Cobus Reinach
22. Elton Jantjies
23. Pat Lambie

24. Beast Mtawarira
25. Frans Malherbe
26. Ruan Botha
27. Thembelani Bholi
28. Johan Goosen
29. Juan De Jongh
30. Lukhanyo Am
31. Damian De Allende

Now this squad is who I think will be picked based on performances in this year's Super Rugby tournament, as well as most of them already have Bok caps, and is a good mix of Specialists and versatility. Add to that, 1/3 of this squad is black players, and could be used to the advantage of the coach to apply the transformation policy.

Other players worth mentioning:

Oupa Mohoje
Ox Nche
Sbu Nkosi
Makazole Mapimpi
Travis Ishmaiel
Francois Venter
Kwagga Smith
Pierre Schoeman
Kobus Wiese
Dan Du Preez
Thomas Du Toit
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Andries Coetzee
Ross Cronje
Embrose Papier

What about Andre Esterhuizen

 

[BPM]

I would imagine Damian Willemse is definitely in with a shout.

Also what about Francois Louw? He's been in decent form for Bath over the past few weeks.

Maybe Pat Lambie as a wild card.

 

[TRF_heineken]

What about Andre Esterhuizen

I completely forgot about him. I would pick him ahead of De Allende

I would imagine Damian Willemse is definitely in with a shout.

Also what about Francois Louw? He's been in decent form for Bath over the past few weeks.

Maybe Pat Lambie as a wild card.

Damian Willemse is part of the U/20 Squad to play in the world cup. And there is currently fights between the Stormers and the U/20 coaching team about his availability for their preparations. My guess is that Willemse will only be in contention after the U/20 tournament.

Flouw is also certainly is with a shout, The question is if he will make himself available. I'd pick him everyday ahead of Kolisi.

Lambie is the wild card I think that will feature. My hope is that he doesn't pick up any injuries beforehand.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Okay, So Malcolm Marx is out for 6 weeks. So this could mean that our Hookers for the England tests are Adriaan Strauss and Bismarck Du Plessis

 

[Thingimubob]

Looks like Wales are going to field a weakened side:

http://m.sarugbymag.co.za/?postslug=/#weakened-wales-to-face-boks

The Boks will follow suit no doubt. This Test match is becoming the sham everyone has been predicting. USA fans are getting a raw deal. Which is a real shame because the All Blacks vs Ireland game was a true spectacle in comparison.

The squad we've announced is fairly comparable to the one we had in the 6N, with only really AW Jones, Ken Owens, Halfpenny and Liam Williams missing out of the big names (not including the still fairly sizable injured contingent). I'm quite excited by the squad anyway, and am looking forward to seeing what they can do!

EDIT: Just realized Biggar isn't in the squad either, though tbh it's definitely time for Patch / Anscombe to have a run of games at 10.

 

[TRF_heineken]

This just in: https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/sa-rugby-scraps-rule-on-overseas-boks-20180511

So Rassie can pick any player he wants. This shows that Faf De Klerk will definitely be one of the contenders. But it does make me wonder if he might pick someone to make their debut while they are plying their trade abroad...

 

[SomeOke]

No Frans Steyn please, DDA but especially Esterhuizen have been on great form this weekend.
Don't think Combrink has done anything to justify his selection since he's been back either.

Selecting Lambie would also be a bit of a slap in the face of some of the local boys, Rob Junior, Damian Willemse and even Elton have all been good this year - no reason to pick Lambie ahead of them.

I would personally select the Sharks centre combo Esterhuizen/Am, positions that are hard to call for me are: 9, 11, 14, 8

 

[TRF_heineken]

No Frans Steyn please, DDA but especially Esterhuizen have been on great form this weekend.
Don't think Combrink has done anything to justify his selection since he's been back either.

Selecting Lambie would also be a bit of a slap in the face of some of the local boys, Rob Junior, Damian Willemse and even Elton have all been good this year - no reason to pick Lambie ahead of them.

I would personally select the Sharks centre combo Esterhuizen/Am, positions that are hard to call for me are: 9, 11, 14, 8

Well I will disagree with you.

Frans Steyn on form is everyday better than DDA and Esterhuizen, he's a World Cup Winner FFS! he's got more X-factor in him than the other 2 combined.

As for Lambie. He's still better than Rob Jnr. Honestly, I don't see why there is such a hype about Rob, he's rather average to me. I agree with Elton and Damian, but Damian is going to be playing at the JWC, so he's out of contention, so I think it will be Pollard, Elton and Lambie.

 

[SomeOke]

Never want to pick a fight with you Heineken, so just my opinion here but here's my feelings. On Steyn - I do think he has a bad attitude and wouldn't be a positive influence in the side, secondly as a ball carrying 12 I don't think he's much more than a battering ram, and thirdly during the world cup his book was the predominant reason for his selection, I feel like rugby has evolved a lot since then, and even if we HAVE to have a huge boot in our side I feel there are better options.

Esterhuizen last year was just a battering ram but he's improved dramatically this year, his ability to run into space rather than the man has made him much more likely to make line-breaks and his offloading game has really come on.
DDA when in form has the change of direction that can force something special, and has always had the ability to offload. Not my first choice but his form this year is undeniable.

Rob junior is pretty much good at everything when on song, honestly him and Pollard are very similar players. Big strong ball carrying 10's, with a strong all round skill-set. I haven't watched Lambie play in the north this year, but he's just average to me, doesn't offer anything special or bring anything to the table.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Never want to pick a fight with you Heineken, so just my opinion here but here's my feelings. On irstly I do think he has a bad attitude and wouldn't be a positive influence in the side, secondly as a ball carrying 12 I don't think he's much more than a battering ram, and thirdly during the world cup his book was the predominant reason for his selection, I feel like rugby has evolved a lot since then, and even if we HAVE to have a huge boot in our side I feel there are better options.

Esterhuizen last year was just a battering ram but he's improved dramatically this year, his ability to run into space rather than the man has made him much more likely to make line-breaks and his offloading game has really come on.
DDA when in form has the change of direction that can force something special, and has always had the ability to offload. Not my first choice but his form this year is undeniable.

Rob junior is pretty much good at everything when on song, honestly him and Pollard are very similar players. Big strong ball carrying 10's, with a strong all round skill-set. I haven't watched Lambie play in the north this year, but he's just average to me, doesn't offer anything special or bring anything to the table.

No need to pick a fight, it's just difference in opinion.

DDA has lost all credibility with me. I just can't find a way to support him as he always gets it right to disappoint me.

As for Esterhuizen, he's just a battering ram. He's like Wynand Olivier, only he can get over the advantage line.

Frans on the other hand, is a distributor, he can kick with both feet, he's defensively sound, and he can be a battering ram too. As for his attitude, I think a lot has changed in him the past few years. Yeas he had a bad attitude, but Rassie is a Boerseun from the Free State just like Frans, I think if there is one guy who could get the best out of him, it'd be Rassie.

 

[unrated]

Never want to pick a fight with you Heineken, so just my opinion here but here's my feelings. On irstly I do think he has a bad attitude and wouldn't be a positive influence in the side, secondly as a ball carrying 12 I don't think he's much more than a battering ram, and thirdly during the world cup his book was the predominant reason for his selection, I feel like rugby has evolved a lot since then, and even if we HAVE to have a huge boot in our side I feel there are better options.

Esterhuizen last year was just a battering ram but he's improved dramatically this year, his ability to run into space rather than the man has made him much more likely to make line-breaks and his offloading game has really come on.
DDA when in form has the change of direction that can force something special, and has always had the ability to offload. Not my first choice but his form this year is undeniable.

Rob junior is pretty much good at everything when on song, honestly him and Pollard are very similar players. Big strong ball carrying 10's, with a strong all round skill-set. I haven't watched Lambie play in the north this year, but he's just average to me, doesn't offer anything special or bring anything to the table.

If selected Frans Steyn would be the most naturally talented player in the Springbok team. He is one of those guys who can be better than his peers with much less effort or training (im not saying this is the case),
Frans Steyn is a world cup winner who firstly the young guys can look up to but secondly he clearly knows how to perform in pressure situations.

If selected he will bring with him that winning mentality that is very rare in the current Springbok setup. Just go look at the win percentage when he played (That was our golden years). Why would we unearth a once in a generation player take him to the world cup, win it and then discard the player into the wilderness? We know his qualities, big runner hard to stop, one of the biggest boots if not the biggest in world rugby making opposition squads weary, also a tactical kicking genius. The aura and leadership he will bring to the squad will be invaluable.

Even if he does not immediately start that's ok, just pick him in the squad and let Rassie judge what he sees on the training ground. If they don't like his attitude and send him packing then fine, but atleast bring him in.
I actually think he is the trump card we need to Push SA over the fine margins in these close encounters.


As for Lambie we know he is class and one of the most calming influential players in the setup. Also a natural leader. For me he is on par with Pollard if not better.
We have long had this mentality in SA of only liking the next best thing but in Lambie and Steyn we have to very talented players in their rugby prime. They are the experienced players that played with the previous batch of legends like Matfield, Smith, Fourie, du Preez, De Villiers. Now we need then in our squads to nurture the next round of youngsters and to pass on the things they learned from the legends that came before them.


Finally both Lambie and Steyn has moved to France and they are excelling in teams stacked with International stars. They have that South African setup knowledge and experience but now they also have that experience in not only foreign conditions but the experience that comes with playing with these top and formerly top players. Lambie was already good in SA now he is approaching his physical peak and learning from Dan Carter at the same time. Thats invaluable

 

[TheSaffycen]

As an English fan I'd not want to see Frans Steyn in the squad. Though I've loved him since I was a child watching him at the world cup. Haven't watched much super Rugby due to work but is there another 12 like him?
Good 22 shirt player as well, 12/13 and at a push 10/15.

 

[TRF_heineken]

So, I think we should prepare ourselves that there will be more injuries to come before the squad is announced.

Pat Lambie is the latest casualty after playing just 3 minutes in the European Championships final. Seems to me he gets injured everytime he plays against Irish opposition...

Also, I think it's worth it to add Akker van der Merwe to the mix. Vlakvark is on a weekly basis proving that he's not just a super sub...