Rassie keeps doing Rassie things. In with a pair of 2 time World Cup winning legends. Out of the starting XV with some of the brightest young talents in rugby. More evidence of the crazy depth with South Africa.
I caught a breakdown on another channel that claimed he's actually the fastest man in the squad. This means he's faster than both Kolbe and Fassi, which is very, very, very fast. He's obviously a nightmare to play against and the natural successor to Faf.
True, I am glad Sacha is on the bench to bring the tries in the second half. Pollard is not a try scoring opportunity 10 like Jantjies, Libbok and Sacha.... But Pollard and LeRoux will prevent New Zealand tries. This is a winning combo.
Solid team. I think you're right, this is a rotation selection and nobody was "dropped". To extend that further, I think Rassie has one eye on Argentina as well. He is going to have to rest PSDT and Damian De Allende at some point, too. My guess is that they are going to take a breather, at least for the first test against Los Pumas. Regarding Pollard, quite frankly, the people that call him robotic and boring don't have much of an idea of what they are talking about. Here comes a guy after a year long injury layoff, with no training with the boys, has to learn all the calls and plays, no club games under his belt whatsoever and he gets thrown right into the World Cup. To anyone that has played any sport at a competitive level, that is absolutely unreal. It is god tier level talent. I daresay that there is no other fly-half in the world that could have slotted in under those circumstances. People these days play EA or 2K titles instead of the sport itself and then feel qualified to opine over the rigours of international competition; they seem to think that you just have this player with these stats and they slot into a team as easily as just clicking "add squad". As you know, Tim, it is not nearly that easy. What Pollard demonstrated during the world cup is not just extraordinary talent, but commitment of the highest degree.
Indeed, and that's not even mentioning Pollard's greatest attribute. He has nerves of steel. Ice runs through his veins, not blood, and no other flyhalf in World Rugby could come on in the games he did and keep his composure in the way he did. The last player who could was Dan Carter, the greatest rugby player of all time.
@@davesmith826 Yeah Carter or maybe Wilkinson are the other flyhalves in recent memory that could maybe slot in the way Pollard did. And be careful using that word "greatest" as we've had some rather spirited arguments recently. (But yes Carter is my favourite player ever, I even did my hair the way he did in his younger days and I adopted his kicking stance over the Wilkinson pose but shhhh let's not bring the Dupont stans out of the woodwork 🤫)
Tim you should stay a week longer in CPT and drive up the Westcoast to visit Langebaan / Ysterfontein / Patenoser - the wild flowers are in full bloom .....beautiful to see !!!
There’s nothing like the wildflowers in the Namaqualand during this time of the year. During summer it’s as sparse as it gets, but during winter it’s like earthly paradise.
Makes me laugh about you Saffas. If your country is so superior at rugby, you would have won the WC final by 20. But you scraped in with the help of the ref and even when Ireland beat you, there are excuses. We all love the Springboks and their depth and passion etc but my god, they will soon tell you how great they are and how they struggle in every day life. Get over it and give other countries some credit when they beat you
@@davidfife-nm7uy Yes, but after playing the toughest path in Rugby World Cup history and suffering from a plague of injuries. New Zealand only had to win one proper game to get to the final, while we played all of the top five teams.
@@davidfife-nm7uy bro can't even let us enjoy the one thing that brings South Africa peace 🤣 nah but seriously, you just sound like a butthurt Englishman riddled with jealousy
@davidfife-nm7uy Why does it even bother you what a fan thinks of his team? Its his opinion. Seems like you are the type of person who can't give credit to where credit is due. I saw a lot of Saffas congratulating Ireland when they won the second test. When Boks win, it's the ref, or they cheated. There's always controversy. You yourself just refused to recognize their victories in your message. Maybe if you stopped doing that, the bok fans wouldn't have defend their teams wins after they won and will refrain from rubbing it in your face. Then again, maybe they do it on purpose to piss people like you off. It will be in your best interest to just hop on the band wagon and become a fan too, then you wont be upset all the time. 😂
Love it. Grant Williams a great selection based on last week. Stability first up with Pollard and Willie (avoid the early AB onslaught) and finish with a push
Yeah, it makes sense. They don't want the AB's to get another lead like last week. Another game like that could see the Boks come in second place. Excellent to see GW getting a start this weekend.
@@hpmmiggieand with the quality of forwards on the bench, it’s a good idea to compliment that with more running options. Really a well balanced approach
My comment Tim is something viewers have been asking for on Keo & Zels. That’s you. While you’re there reach out to them. They have a large loyal following. They say they tried to get you on but couldn’t. Reach out and as they say in South Africa, “make a plan”.
Wow Tim you have gained 4000 new subs. Last i checked you had 103.000 You have sure earned the respect of every viewer. Sure they are all PROUD SOUTH AFRICANS S P R I N G B O K S FOR THE WIN 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🏆🏆🏆🏉🏉🏉☑️☑️👌👌👍👍
As good as that team looks on paper, I'm not for one single second underestimating the All Blacks! There is nothing more dangerous than a wounded AB team, who will no doubt be hell-bent on preventing the Boks from achieving an unprecedented 4 wins in a row against them 🤘
@@travkruger292 Even when Damian comes back, Pollard needs Willie. Damian is an excellent full back but he is not the playmaker Willie is so that leaves us in a quandry - PollyRoux or Damian and someone else?
This Bok team WRC win changed the Cape dynamic last year. There will not be as many ABs shirts as previously. That has changed! Expect to see a sea of Bok jerseys! Do not be surprised if you see Moodie and Am at centre later in the game. Grant williams will go to wing when Jaden Hendrickse comes on. Pollard may even be moved to centre also as this team lineup looks to be testing centre pairings. Yes we are playing against ABs but Rassie is still trying out combos. Cheers for the vlogs Tim!
Siya is injured (but not as badly as previously thought), but is playing anyway. Broken nose & hairline fracture to the eye socket bone, not a fractured cheekbone. Great that he'll be back on the field. Just hope that no ABs target him with cynical play. Cane still needs to be taught how to tackle.
Wow...my confidence in overload now. First time this year for outright Bok win...this team is on fire🎉🎉...love Moodie, Pollard, Jaden, Williams included here...think Sasha will come in at 15 second half to secure win with drop kicks...my all time favourite Am I feel maybe shouldve started...but overall happy with this squad...lets go boys🎉🎉🎉🎉
That would be the 1000 IQ move. After Willie made sure there's no shenanigans in the first half, solid defense etc, bring Sacha on at 15 with 40-25min to play to reek havoc. I like it.
@@louisvanniekerk2612 respect your opinion...can say the same applies to Jessie prior to Ams injury...as a Bok supporter...they are both on fire...but like you...I luke AM and happy he is given the opportunity to get some game time
Love your videos! Come have a breakfast at the strangers club before the game on Saturday in Green Point and we can chat some more ruggas! Love to see your passion for the beauty of our country as I feel exactly the same!
Moodie has a common trait with the greats in sport, it looks like everything happens in slow motion when he is on the ball... he just appears to have more time, something you can't coach.
The fact that you said that about Canan and Sascha shows me that you really know your rugby Tim. I am super impressed. I also agree that they are on the same level of talent and future stars
Totally agree about rotation. Seems recently that Willie Le Roux doesn’t have back-to-back big games in him. He helped the Bulls beat Leinster but then had to miss the final and they lost to Glasgow, then he helped SA win the first test against Ireland but missed the second and they lost. Holding him back for the second test against NZ was smart, and like you said, I think they’ll win by more this week.
So glad Canan Moodie gets a shot again - very talented young player. Hope he gets put into fullback. He’s perfect for the position once Willie hangs up his boots.
We (SA) have to be spoilt for depth, if these kinds of selection shenanigans are possible - against the bloody All Blacks! Almost everyone picks their strongest teams for these kinds of clashes. Not Rassie : "Time for some rotation and spreading the experience opportunities". This is no doubt RWC 2027 prep...Fasi and SF-M were excellent - so no dropping evident in my mind.
Sjoe I was close in your last video with the selections, I'm a bit surprised with willy at 15 but it's a safe call tons of experience, I thought Am would start but still good for impact, glad psdt is back at flank, so happy to see Williams starting, this test is going to be something to behold
Willie at 15 and Pollard at 10 tells us we're reverting to type - kick for territory, turn the screw, and reap the rewards in the shape of penalties, turnovers, line outs and scrums. We had great success with this in the final 20 in the previous game. Le Roux at the back tells me we'll be adapting that strategy for the first half, with our loosies running up the wide channels in the way we played against Wales and Ireland in the earlier tests. I think we'll see a different strategy in the second half - all-court game, overlapping runs, more ball in hand.
Neither Fassie nor Maphimpi in the side? Goes to show just how much depth there is in South African rugby. Maphimpi scored four tries over the weekend for the Sharks.
Mapimpi has been left out because his wife is giving birth. No idea about Fassi, but he's definitely had less of a positive impact than other newbies like Williams, Louw, and Jason-Dixon
@@davesmith826 the reason for Fassi's exclusion is based on rotation just like when they played Australia. Willie played the first game and Fassi featured in the 2nd game. Fassi had a good game against the ABs next week and is getting better with each performance. Dixon on the other hand was poor (which he admitted) and was pulled off before halftime. Willie will always be picked when Pollard plays at 10 to help him on attack.
Manie signed a contract extension this year with the Stormers, so he'll be around for the foreseeable future. I think he's still in a good position. Him and Sacha playing together for the Stormers will be plus for him. With Jordan Hendrikse showing his not ready for this level and Siya Masuku's age counting against him, Manie is still in a good position
South Africa have not beaten the AB's in Capetown since 2005. That is 19 years, the AB's won a great game there in 2008, 19-0. I remember Richie was exhausted at the end of that match, he gave his all, we need to see the same performance from our forwards.
Different stadium, different coach, top quality players & depth for the Boks. Always great competition between the ABs & Boks, and as always, this match is bound to be another humdinger!
7 changes in the squad, doesnt feel like 7 changes. 3 guys who were on the bench last week get a start (Grant, Eben, Pollard), and 4 new guys in the team: Moodie, Hendrikse, Willie, Am
I like the 5-3 split option for this match, getting Sacha and an in-form Lukhanyo Am on the bench. I’m not so convinced about Hendrikse, who sometimes seems to lack energy in big matches. (His brother has been more impressive recently, but his positions - 10 and occasionally 12 - are so well stocked.) I would have kept Reinach in the 23 as the replacement scrumhalf, but this will be a good opportunity for Hendrikse to just go out and prove me wrong. But I hope Williams can give the Boks 60-65 quality minutes. I also had hoped Kitshoff would be part of the bomb squad. Cape Town fans love him, and of course he is back with the Stormers. But all in all, this looks like a very strong team, and a good idea to rotate, unlike the second Ireland test.
Agree with you about Jaden Hendrikse... too slow at the scrum & in general. Would have preferred Reinach as back-up (although he didn't have a great game last week)... but also hope Williams can play for most of the match.
I like this mix. Jasper Wiese is one player I haven't warmed to, although he did well in the previous game. I also like that we bring in and change the old and new players, building up a depth while keeping the experienced players on their toes.
I'd say a few months ago the only part of our team where I haven't seen fantastic young talent was at centre but with Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius we have a couple of 20 year olds who are just waiting to pop off. This is the most stacked South Africa has ever been on talent. We have almost 3 teams we can call upon. Insane.
With how consistent De Allende, Kriel, Am and Esterhuizen has been, its hard for any other specialist centres to break through.. Especially when you have players like Willemse, Sacha, Manie, Pollard, Moodie that can slot in there as well.
I agree! Canan Moodie was magic in the World Cup and got that feeling that he's the next big thing. HUGE play-maker and will be very interesting seeing him with Sasha...
Stopped everything as usual to watch the selection comments Tim, thank you!! Great view fyi. Does Moody even have a ceiling, what a talent! Grant starting is amazing, his general play around the ruck is tremendous in keeping the opposition tight, will give his runners room to play and he's definitely got a great exit from kickoff....never mind... pace...to...burn! Would have loved to give the GOAT De Allende a break and give Andre the giant some time to stretch his legs, would love to see the traffic jam he causes in the midfield running at Jordi and D Mac, he's like a Hilux carrying cinder blocks downhill, absolute carnage.....and finally Am and Moody together, need to see this, it's like unveiling 2 brand new fighter jets!!! Sound barrier is going to be broken....excited to say the least!
I actually called a 5-3 split this week with hendrikse on the bench I predicted the front pack except siya who I thought was injured. I got Grant, moodie, kolbe and Jesse starting but I also had sacha, fassie and Am starting. For the bench I had kitshoff instead of Steenekamp with pollard, hendrikse and De Allende on the bench Edit: on the combined team it would be a complete bok backline. Not a chance you choose Will (who's overrated and out of position) over a almost test match centurion. Moodie is a better player than Telea and you can't even say your chosing him for experience because he only has 4 more caps than moodie does. De Allende speaks for himself as the clear best 12 in the world right now
Willie le roux for 80minutes I hope he got stamina to match it welcome back canan and lukhanyo my man pollard in the driving seat did Siya heal that injury or he just wanna revenge kolisi VS Cane 2.0 Supersport need to add camera just for Sam Cane otherwise he is about to kill someone with that shoulder
Exciting!! Willie le Roux on a good day is the best passer on the game. That next to Kolbe and Moodie. Potentially Am later. Thrilling. It looks like playing conditions won’t be as fast, but still excited. And PSTD in his favourite position. And Williams. There was one game in the RWC where Williams ran the length of the field, but SA did not score. If he did it would have been one of the most memorable scrum half initiating tries ever. Cannot wait. Sacha in the second half, and Kwagga. Lovely. SA by 15.
Rassie is a great coach with a great Springbok team! 🇿🇦 Tim you are a informed rugby analyst. Your views are always so knowledgeable. I enjoy your videos. PS. I can see that you are having a great time in SA! Enjoy our great country. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Sacha is great and the future. Pollard is the highest paid rugby player on the planet . People forgot it suddenly ? It is a great thing Pollard will now lift his game even more knowing his mentality to be the best
This game is going to be huge. I agree that the future looks bright for our Boks with Sacha and Canan becoming powerful superstars. Can't wait for this one.
As a South African and a Capetonian…… I’d say we have a habit of losing second tests agent similar strength teams and Cape Town out record is less impressive. I’d love to see all Bok games at Cape Town. But if it’s for winning. Play all our games in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein 😂
We definitely have built that trend of dropping off in the second match against the stronger teams. I think this has had some influence in this selection. Before the tour, i had Bokke to win in JHB and lose in CT. Now i am not sure that will be the case. The AB's have fallen into Rassie's trap. They tried to play our game of kicking last week, and now they will try running loose goose ruggas. But that hasn't always worked against our defense. Now that we have put in a more defensively experienced back line it sets this game up spectacularly.
@@FelicityMichaels ya I agree. Eastern province has crazy fans and give support. But no currie cup team and no players coming through. So maybe it’s on the quiet side. But ya. Of course we all must get games. I was merely joking that keep them up north as we win more in the thin air.
@@malcolmvanhilten125 I also said joburg win and Cape loss. I still think we just lose. But pray i am wrong. We need to show a win and back it up again. Would have done that v Ireland but for last moment lucky drop goal. Can’t defend that.
This somehow almost looks like a better team than last week. So happy to see PSDT at flank again. Experienced backline with a flutter of new blood. Go Bokke! Smash em!
Enjoy the scenery and the rugby, great to follow your travels and your thoughts on the upcoming battle. Also reminding me why I never wore my hair at that length when living in Cape Town, the wind there is legendary
Damian and Lukhanyo, damn that's fiyaaa!!!🔥🔥 Jesse is getting subbed then? I would like to see Jesse and Lukhanyo team up, Jesse could play Wing(14) and Am Outside Centre(13) and Damian still at 12. That would be crazy, in my opinion
12 over the ABs, that's bold. It's going to be a game of two halves. NZ on attack in the first half and Boks going in the second. Let's hope we can contain them early on. Can't wait!!!
At this point I think the majority of viewers and comments are from SA😁. Loving the insights and verdicts, I think we as SA are spoiled for choice in slections. My predictions would be a 12 point win for the Springboks, we have all the advantage and will power at home😎
I like Willie Le Roux against the Kiwis. He is a boogy man of sorts for the All Blacks if you look at how successful he has been at setting up tries against them. This team will be a different beast in terms of defense compared to last week as well.
Great combined team Tim. I'm sure Jordie would relish the opportunity to play on the right side of PSDT for once - instead of being chewed up by monster tackles all afternoon!
Welcome back Tim. Try and make a turn in the West Coast National Park if you have a day off. It is springtime and the wild flowers are out! Another WC gem...
Their is no doubt that the bokke has the best "bench" in rugby! Having a malcolm marx and company come on at crucial time in match proved pivotal last week! Go my beloved bokke go!!!!!!
South Africa 🇿🇦 by 12 sounds pretty good to me, Tim! Thanks for your insightful podcast. I’m going to recommend to some of our SA rugby podcasters that they take a leaf out of YOUR book and get with the programme 🎉❤ Respect to you
Great video Tim Think the Cape Crusader mindset has changed significantly over the past ~ 7 years since the last match in Cape Town. Hoping it began with the transition to Cape Town stadium and we see at worst a 70-30 split on Saturday (whereas Newlands was closer to 50-50). Think this is a big week for Handre/Willie to prove to the young blood that they are still first choice. Although Fassi was brilliant, I do think Willie marshals the defensive lines well from the back (although he hates tackling himself). Just can't think that both of Clarke's tries would not have been scored if master-delegator Willie was roaming the back. Still prefer the new-look, reliable Fassi though. Safe to say much like most rugby fans, I am bleak to not see SFN start😅 So happy for Grant to get another start. Can't help but think he is the Kwagga/Marx of the backline bomb squadders. Nippy around the rucks that gets seriously exploited with slow forwards near the end of a game. I'd think his first 60 is as good as the other 9's, but his impact in the last 20 is way better. Will be great to see Canan again. With Am&Kriel both fit going into the next RWC, I wonder where Rassie will position him going forward. Slippery, faster backs from NZL worry me more than the bulky full-steam-ahead guys like Clarke. Ches/KLA always handle a physical battle well, but I still have nightmares of how easily Telea slipped tackles of our forwards in that RWC final. I think the match quality will be higher but with fewer points. Boks will be better, but NZL love a comeback win against all odds. I say Boks by 8.
Great team!!! And clever from Rassie around 10 and 15. Experimental for the first test, massively experienced to try to combat their second test syndrome. And very chuffed about Grant Williams. He was far more dangerous than Reinach around the rucks and he was getting his passes off much quicker.
Much more comfortable about this starting XV. I am happy SFM and Fassi are better for the experience and win. But a pressure cooker. Jeez those were big calls. Rock stars of the future.
