South Africa play their first match of the season against Wales at Twickenham. But who will Rassie Erasmus select for that game? Here I select my 23 for the match in South-West London.
Broadly I agree but I think it’s time to be bold at #10 by playing Siya M. He’s earned it and Mani’s form has been hit and miss recently. If Siya M played well that could be the answer to developing another solid fly half over the next few years.
@@roblucci2366 Unfortunately you get the type that will complain just because they can, without providing any compelling reason. It's very frustrating. A rugby player's skill and ability is not measured by how he performs in ONE game.
So cool! Thanks for doing the video I requested. I like the team, I would maybe just put Jessie Kriel in at 13 to keep the continuity in the midfield, especially with Fassi at FB because his defence does not convince me and Jessie is a defensive beast. Would also prefer Kwagga and PSTD in the starting line-up and Dixon and Phepsi on the bench and both given the 2nd half to see what they can do. Hopefully no more injuries before the Ireland tests!!
Interesting exercise. I like your thought process and I have to admit that I am really interested in seeing how well Hooker, Buthelezi and Fouche make the transition. The question of Fassi's defence needs to be answered and Wales provides a very good test for the many players looking to debut for the Boks, a team that never really goes away but also one that is in a transitional phase. Masuku needs a run and if not against Wales then definitely against Portugal.
Very constructive look at things! You have explained and backed up your choices with great thought and logic. Good beans and look forward to the game.👍💪
Good reasoning. Wouldn't be upset if this is the team our coaches went with but I'd make a few changes. At hooker I'd go for Marx, he hasn't played much rugby and needs to be assessed for a solid 50 mins. Venter at 16, we know what Bongi offers. I'd swap Buthelezi and Roos around. They're interchangeable but Roos is the better 8 and Buthelezi is the better 6 (in my humble opinion). Masuku at 10 with Faf, so as to get a feeling for directing the Bok attack, whilst having experience to guide him. I'd also swap Fassi and Mngomezulu around. Sacha has a big boot, solid on defence, intelligent and has a great counter attack. Libbok is good, but we needs to get used to pressure and perform when called upon. In other words 1. Ox 2. Marx 3. Malherbe 4. Eben 5. Mostert 6. Buthelezi 7. BJ Dixon 8. Roos 9. Faf 10. Masuku 11. Mapimpi 12. De Allende 13. Hooker 14. vd Merwe 15. Sacha 16. Venter 17. Mchunu 18. Fouche 19. PSDT 20. Kwagga 21. Williams 22. Hendrickse 23. Weekend Special
Springboks need to send the greatest squad that they have ever sent to a world cup in 2027. It basically has to be a dream team that they have to send to Australia. We are going to have to build squad depth like never before. This may be the first time in SA Rugby where we would be able to have 4 world class players in each position in the Springboks squad and have maybe 2-3 different teams within the springbok squad/system that could compete and beat any tear 1nation. We have the coaching staff and the player pool.
thank you.the No8 question is one mans decision ,,Thor. .You're astute to pick those playing in the Japan league is spot on. Are they up to scratch?Rassie stated he looks at the 'involvement stats' as an indicator for team selection,,. i wonder if the new coaches have changed his mind there. Imagine the Boks having a @marcus smith/dmac clone who thinks 2000mph? ITs who rassie leaves on for the end of the game that brings a peek at the future.
I would’ve thought that Andre Esterhuizen is available as he is no longer a Quins player. And for the leicester players yes they’re not available i believe but i don’t get why, the season is over isn’t that just being difficult for no reason. I get the clubs don’t want their players being injured but they are going to join the squad straight after that game so what’s the point.
would be super excited to see what Ethan Hooker can do in a Bok setup. Also I'd 100% have Siya Masuku at 10 and drop Hendrikse from the bench for another forward...6-2 split. Plus if Esterhuizen is available because of signing for the Sharks, I'd have him in at 12 as he and Hooker will likely get some game time together in the near future...
My coach used to say "Never pick a black or brown man at fly half" 😂 And we were a maori boys boarding school 1st xv who won the National Top Four 1st xv comp.
The Springboks will not win another world cup for 20 years. Mark my words. They are an average team playing dinosaur rugby. They are just not sustainable You can't play against 14 players at every world cup or hope the superior team gets food poisoning in order to secure a win.
@@JaemanEdwards another salty fan. Sigh. Get over it mate. It's done. Maybe the dont win for another 20 years, so what? They still have the most world cup wins. Stay salty beta
I recon Marx would start for even country other than Ireland and maybe france, but would be in contention. Mbonambi would probably start for anyone other than Ireland, France and Argentina, but in contention in Argentina.
As a Sharks fan it’s great to see Hooker on there. He was such a great addition to the team. Masuku is just too good to not be in the match day squad. He will be wasted against portugal
I'd put Siya in for Jordan. Sasha is cover for 15. I'd move Ethan to 12 and put Kriel at 13, which he was exceptional at during the World Cup, and to get extra cover for 15. Ethan is too inexperienced to defend at 13. I'd also swap Dixon for Smith, just to get more pace into the pack. Otherwise I'm happy.
Decent team, Marx and Bongi both have to play for at least 20min to ready for Ireland. Pull a Rassie, play AHV for 40min, Marx for 20min and Bongi for 20min and drop Hendrikse from the bench. Starting 6. Kwagga, 7. BJD and 8. Roos. Pepsi on the bench plus PSDT. Definitely want to see Hooker and Fassi get a run. 2 for the future.
Where possible the absolute best must start to get some game time together before Ireland. Experimentation & blooding of others can happen v Portugal & other select games throughout season. Ox, Marx, Malherbe Eben, Mostert Kwagga, PSDT, Roos Faf, (Manie/Masuku) DDA, Kriel Mapimpi, (Edwil/Fassi) Sasha or (Fassi)
I am hoping for a lot of new faces. The old guys are there for training and backup if new guys can't cut it. Wales and Portugal are teething matches, so we are ready for nz and Ireland
I was thinking more your experimental direction but thinking about it more I think the final team will be much more settled and experienced for Wales, being the last/first time the guys will get match time together before Ireland. Marx will start just to get some game time, Pieter Stef usually doesn't come off the bench and will almost certainly start, probably along side Kwagga and Roos. Interesting call re Hooker, as it's the one place that yes, maybe they could afford some experimenting. Wouldn't be surprised if we see Kriel there along side DDA though. Mapimps and Kolbe on the wings with some forced experimenting at fullback, so probably Fassi. Wouldn't be surprised seeing Horn there though.
Your thought process makes a lot of sense. Only change I would make is Siya for Manie. If Siya/Faf doesn’t work we should know now rather than in a bigger test.
Nothing wrong with your Hooker reasoning but Marx will start. Needs the game time before Ireland. As for Fly Half, I REALLY hope youre wrong. Has to be Masuku. Did you see Manny against Glasgow? Shocking. It pains me to say this because I've been such a fan, but he just can't be relied on.
I think Rassie is going to toss some curved balls into the mix. He likes to put in-experienced players in the pressure cooker and see who comes through.
Not a bad team but I'm not sure Phepsi has the size at international level. I wouldnt even put Manie in the 23 - he has been given enough opportunity and just cannot lift his kicking to international level - and there are no other international level kickers in your team. Besides almost costing the Boks the World Cup, he has recently brought his kicking inconsistency to the Stormers. Cant play international rugby without a kicker. I think Siya made something like 28 of his last 29 kicks, many under pressure and from the sideline - he needs to be there. If Fassi sorts out his tackling, he could be the best no.15 in the world, hoping he can do that.
@tristanmaclennan2989 If he has he has not played much. Needs minutes & Bok minutes. Plus I've not seen anywhere that he has actually been playing in Japan this season.
Interesting approach but Dr Rassie's team will look completely different 🇿🇦 This will be a complete warmup game with mostly players that will face Ireland,.. that I can guarantee you.
As a South African I like the team. I would however start with Marx for the fact that he hasn’t played awhile so this is the chance to get ready for Ireland. I can’t see him handing a cap yet to AHV just because there are so many other hookers in the pecking order not least Johan Grobbelaar. I think this was just to give AHV exposure to the team environment. Can’t argue with the rest of the pack. I do disagree with the halfbacks. Manie Libbok is terrible in northern hemisphere fields so I think Erasmus will go with the sharks combination of Masuku and Grant Williams and bring on Faf de Klerks experience to finish the game. I like the look of the rest of the back line, I’d definately give Ethan Hooker a go
I would definitely find a spot for Masuku. Between Him and Bob (short for Sasha Nmgomezulu Fineberg), they are out future at 10. Try as I might, I cannot get over the constant wobbles that Libbik shows in crucial games.
1. Ox 2. Bongi 3. Frans 4. Elizabedi 5. Mossie 6. Roos 7. PSDT 8. Kwagga 9. Faf 10. Manie 11. Vd Merwe 12. Esterhuizen. 13. De Allende 14. Kriel 15. Weekend Special 16. Marx 17. Mchunu 18. Fouche 19. Moerat 20. Buthelezi 21. Williams 22. Hooker 23. Sacha. This will be the first test of the WORLD CUP WINNERS. A must win. Portugal test is where the new caps can get a run out.
New players or inexperienced players at test level must start in their strongest positions. Roos is an eight and I won't start him at six unless the plan is to make that his permanent position. If not he must play 8. Sacha is a flyhalf than can play center and fullback. I won't put Sacha on the bench unless he is going to cover flyhalf.
I'd go for 23 - Mngomezulu 22 - Williams 21 - Buthelezi 20 - Kwagga 19 - Dixon 18 - Koch 17 - Mchunu 16 - Mbonambi 15 - Fassi 14 - Kolbe 13 - Kriel 12 - de Allende 11 - Mapimpi 10 - Libbok 9 - de Klerk 8 - Roos 7 - du Toit 6 - Mostert 5 - Etzebeth 4 - Moerat 3 - Malherbe 2 - Marx 1 - Nché I think it would be a good idea for SA to try to win this game. Its not a good idea to throw your first match as world champions - unless of course Rassie is just trying to artificially manufacture a siege mentality. It would be better to try to win the three matches this June/July, and then rotate a little bit in the Rugby Championship. The matches against Australia would be a good opportunity to rest players ahead of a key mini-series against NZ that should decide the winner of the championship.
Thats OK. They have to start sometime and losing some games in the beginning is worth the sacrifice. Imagine the depth Boks will then have going into 2027. We lucky we able to start building early.
@@saiyandemonisher what an odd attitude! Are SA the best team in the world or not? In 2012 and 2016 NZ twice laid down a marker as the undisputed best team in the world - given SA have been vocal about seeing themselves as the greatest team of all time they need to do the same. SA won't have any depth at all if they cap a load of players who aren't ready yet, lose a load of otherwise winnable games, and then have to start their rebuild again next year.
@@saiyandemonisherrest of world definitely looking to see SA decimate international teams after all the boasting and knocking that’s gone on. Be interesting how 2024 pans out. Remember, every international team has same selection issues since players have retired
The only reason you want Manie Libbok in our team is because you are not Saffa and want us to loose. Libbok cant kick a ball under pressure. Nobody has faith in that guy and he will be undoing for as long as he plays for the bokke
Very constructive look at things! You have explained and backed up your choices with great thought and logic. Good beans and look forward to the game.👍💪
