[2014 Mid-Year Tests] South Africa

[TRF_stormer2010]

hmmmm yeah, I meant like, a regular non-super team made up of elite players from four Tier 1 nations............but, yeah.

stormer, interesting post to read. Yeah uhm...in France it's the same...uh, like, the fans only settle for a big win or an average win against the All-Blacks, nothing less...:unsure:
And by "3rd test against the Welsh", I understand you mean the Scottish type. So yeah, the Scottish Wales team could put up an okay fight with Vern Cotter in office that time around....
You're such an arrogant South African, you don't even know who you're playing exactly and you don't really give a shhit and you're expecting a win anyways ! :lol:

And I was thinking about something....there are so many Saffas in the Top 14 right now, how about our South Africans challenge yours ?!! It would be: teh French South Africans VS South African South Africans. And it would count as a test match. In fact, the French South African should be considered a nation and participate in the RWC.

P.S.: checked. Not to brag, because we got fkd in 2010 there, but the last time South Africa lost in a summer home test was France 2006. And they were NOT having a fabulous year then altogether, despite winning the RWC a year later lol...

Oh, you got me regarding not knowing or caring about the exact schedule and expecting a good win LOL. I plead guilty.

RE; that notion of French South Africans playing as a nation. With the new quota system in SA don't be surprised to see SA playing as the Rugby Proteas in yellow jerseys in 5 years and a seperate Springbok team playing (though probably not IRB sanctioned tests) while not being based in SA. Just something I saw in my mind's eye. I see Justin Melck is now a German international. With German rugby seemingly on the rise I wonder if they see SA as a happy hunting ground. We are in quite a unique situation where many are seriously considering leaving the country and people still remember or have knowledge of their ancestry with although mostly Dutch and French has a fair number of German, surprsingly Scottish (though old not so much numerous) and to a lesser degree Irish roots (and this is not accounting for the Anglo-Welsh who were brought in by the GB empire after the Boer war to 'balance' the white population).

the world xv could, maybe just beat them, first game out the traps and it's quite a mega team.

As for SA falling because it's the first game against the 'world XV' I wouldn't bet on it and see both Wales and erm, Scotland *blushes prettily* as having a better shot; yes, the players will probably be rusty as a team in game 1 but so will the world XV, probably even more so since it won't have any set combinations or settled game plan and I would wager the guys will turn up for the game more because it's the 1st fixture and they are eager to get going rather than that they've always wanted to flip over the 'world VX' on a rugby pitch like they would the Kiwi's or English.

 

[Big Ewis]

Oh, you got me regarding not knowing or caring about the exact schedule and expecting a good win LOL. I plead guilty.

RE; that notion of French South Africans playing as a nation. With the new quota system in SA don't be surprised to see SA playing as the Rugby Proteas in yellow jerseys in 5 years and a seperate Springbok team playing (though probably not IRB sanctioned tests) while not being based in SA. Just something I saw in my mind's eye. I see Justin Melck is now a German international. With German rugby seemingly on the rise I wonder if they see SA as a happy hunting ground. We are in quite a unique situation where many are seriously considering leaving the country and people still remember or have knowledge of their ancestry with although mostly Dutch and French has a fair number of German, surprsingly Scottish (though old not so much numerous) and to a lesser degree Irish roots (and this is not accounting for the Anglo-Welsh who were brought in by the GB empire after the Boer war to 'balance' the white population).

blah blah blah blah history lesson, well you ain't getting Kockott in the French South Africans team. He's French French, now !!
No but srsly, interesting concept. And seriously, South Africa produces SO MANY good players, really deserves praise.

 

[TheSaffycen]

It will be interesting to see how Wales do without Halfpenny and Warburton. Halfpenny is such a huge weapon for Wales and though Biggar is a good kicker I think it could be a horrible series for Wales, they didn't look impressive in the 6 nations. England and Ireland showed that if you start strong and get points on the board they can't chase games, they force everything and against the Boks they can't go to the big physical game. If Roberts gets stopped Wales can't work, this is why they should look at a ball playing 12 instead of just a big ball crasher. 4-0 and the second test a 20+ win for South Africa

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

World XV squad (courtesy of planetrugby.com):

Backs: James O'Connor (London Irish, Australia - 44 Test caps), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, Australia - 63), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand - 14), Sititiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand - 45), Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont, France - 71), Rene Ranger (Montpelier, New Zealand - 6), Matt Giteau (Toulon, Australia - 92), François Trinh-Duc (Montpelier, France - 48), Rory Kockott (Castres, South Africa - uncapped) and Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand - 51).

Forwards: Steffon Armitage (Toulon, England - 5 Test caps), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont, France - 6), Roger Wilson (Ulster, Ireland - 1), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, Georgia - 51), Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens, South Africa - 4), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, Samoa - 26), Juandré Kruger (Racing Metro, South Africa - 17), Schalk Brits (Saracens, South Africa - 5), Andrew Hore (New Zealand - 83), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse, South Africa - uncapped), Sona Taumololo (Perpignan, Tonga - 5), BJ Botha (Munster, South Africa - 25) and Carl Hayman (Toulon, New Zealand - 45).


​Okay. That is some squad. I think I might have to reconsider my position. The pack we should match but that potential backline could wreak havoc if they find each other at all. Hopefully they won't have the ball to work with but that'll have to mean no aimless kicking from us (and what are the chances that won't happen!).

 

[TheSaffycen]

15. O'Connor 14.Gear 13.Ranger 12.Giteau 11.Sivivatu 10.Trinh-Duc 9.Kockott 8.Gorgodze 7.Armitage 6.Lapandry 5.Tekori 4.Hargreaves 3.Hayman 2.Brits 1.Botha
Pretty average, don't know why anyone would think they could be any trouble

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

15. O'Connor 14.Gear 13.Ranger 12.Giteau 11.Sivivatu 10.Trinh-Duc 9.Kockott 8.Gorgodze 7.Armitage 6.Lapandry 5.Tekori 4.Hargreaves 3.Hayman 2.Brits 1.Botha

1 to 6 I don't fear. The rest *whistles*....

Hell, that backline as you have it there is not only scary one for one but looks pretty well balanced too boot with a good combination of power and play-makers.

 

[Big Ewis]

fkkk, didn't see that yet. Thanks for posting, my trusty stripper2010. Say, in a short handful of months, you can write: Rory Kockott (Castres, France - 3 caps).......and btw, Lapandry has come a long way and looked really good against a raging Irish squad at the breakdown last March in Paris. Tekori has some destruction in him, TRUST ME. And Hayman is probably the most underrated TH prop in the world atm, just not as mobile as before because of old age. But the dude - can - scrumm-fkng-age.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Rory Coq?

Anyway why is HM so damn tardy in releasing at least an extended training squad for us impatient fans to have something to at least nibble on. The 1st fixture is less than a month away. The very least he could do is state whether he intends to use 'the strongest possible XV' or 'give a few fresh faces a chance' kind of thing if he isn't ready to mention names.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Rory Coq?

Anyway why is HM so damn tardy in releasing at least an extended training squad for us impatient fans to have something to at least nibble on. The 1st fixture is less than a month away. The very least he could do is state whether he intends to use 'the strongest possible XV' or 'give a few fresh faces a chance' kind of thing if he isn't ready to mention names.

If anything is to go by he'll announce it on a Wednesday, like today or next week...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

If anything is to go by he'll announce it on a Wednesday, like today or next week...

You're a bloody tease you are.

 

[TRF_heineken]

You're a bloody tease you are.

Haha!

Believe me, I am dying in anticipation of the squad announcement. And I think it will happen today, due to other teams also announcing their squads this past few days.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Haha!

Believe me, I am dying in anticipation of the squad announcement. And I think it will happen today, due to other teams also announcing their squads this past few days.

I suppose I'll hold back posting a list of probables/possibles (for myself if for no-one else) then. And. Try. To. Be. Pa. tient..

Off topic but how is married life treating you, buddy? Picking up those marriage kilo's yet? I've been married 5 years and have only now gotten back under a lean 100kgs again after going up over 110 faster than I ever thought I could- us South Africans really eat too much rich (hmm, good) food which doesn't fit a contemporary desk job life style and it doesn't help if you eat off your wife's plate as well; she doesn't eat bacon, butter, and a ton of other good stuff so it falls to me.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Off topic but how is married life treating you, buddy? Picking up those marriage kilo's yet? I've been married 5 years and have only now gotten back under a lean 100kgs again after going up over 110 faster than I ever thought I could- us South Africans really eat too much rich (hmm, good) food which doesn't fit a contemporary desk job life style and it doesn't help if you eat off your wife's plate as well; she doesn't eat bacon, butter, and a ton of other good stuff so it falls to me.

WTF! Are you spying on me?? Lol! To be honest, I have overindulged a lot! It was also my Birthday last friday, which made things worse as my wife is a prolific cook. She baked about 5 cakes which was consumed from Friday morning to Sunday evening. On Saturday I had a bunch of friends over and we had a braai (and cake).

I haven't been to the gym since I got married. I haven't had the willpower to go back, and with this winter being extra cold, I just don't have it in me to go. What makes it worse for me is that I'm a stress-eater. and I start with exams on Monday, so I have some work ahead of me. I can feel my clothes are becoming a bit tight. Maybe I'll go to the gym tonight, even if it's just to say hi to everyone there...


Anyways, back to the rugby.

I see sport24 has been very busy this morning with reports of who HM are interested in. Within half an hour there has been a new report on Schalk Burger and on the Japanese-based players.

 

[Big Ewis]

awww...a very moving moment of manly love between countrymen stormer and heineken...I don't want to spoil it, it's just so special....

"Rory Coq", very good !

 

[The Jones Boy]

The Boks are looking awesome, growing every season since the departure of De Villiers.
They are the team to watch this year and for the RWC, just awesome depth in their forward pack and some genuine quality in the back line.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Their team is looking incredibly dangerous, the only thing I think they need is a play maker type player. Maybe a Frans Steyn or Ebersohn in the middle who can link with the 10 and Le Roux.

 

[Big Ewis]

The Boks are looking awesome, growing every season since the departure of De Villiers.
They are the team to watch this year and for the RWC, just awesome depth in their forward pack and some genuine quality in the back line.

yes, I think they have a very good chance of moving past the pools.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Their team is looking incredibly dangerous, the only thing I think they need is a play maker type player. Maybe a Frans Steyn or Ebersohn in the middle who can link with the 10 and Le Roux.

JDV is a really good playmaker when playing at 12. But the style we play, we want a more crash-ball type 12 and 13. It has changed a bit recently. But we rely more on 9 and 10 as being more the playmakers and now recently with Le Roux at the back. Frans Steyn could be another option yes, but not Ebersohn, he doesn't fit our style and he's a bit small for a centre.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I don't know if I'd call either of JdV or F Steyn playmakers. Even M Steyn at 10 I wouldn't call a playmaker as I see all of them more as distributors than play creators as such. Le Roux and F du Preez, now they create play but I agree we could do with 1 more at either 10 or 12 but they need to be able to fulfill their other duties at the highest level as well.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I don't know if I'd call either of JdV or F Steyn playmakers. Even M Steyn at 10 I wouldn't call a playmaker as I see all of them more as distributors than play creators as such. Le Roux and F du Preez, now they create play but I agree we could do with 1 more at either 10 or 12 but they need to be able to fulfill their other duties at the highest level as well.

I see the role as distributor in almost the same view as playmaker actually. As they have to make a decision on the play, and the manner in which they distribute the ball. But yeah, I get what you are saying. Fly halves like JLP, Pollard and Boshoff have been more playmakers in the Super Rugby than i have been used to for SA fly halves.