[2025 TRC] South Africa v Australia - 16/8/2025

[Vieux Talonneur]

Haven’t watched it yet, but the flip flopping in this thread has been hilarious.

Feels a bit like one of those freak results TBH. Might have clarified a few things for the Boks, but can’t really read anything into it until we see how both go next time out.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

IDK it followed a bit like the Italian team
I reckon this Bok squad are too arrogant and think they can switch off after half time. The summer games they did too many gimmicks.

They prob needed this lost, expect next week to be more structured

 

[McTallshort]

What was that stupid midfield lineout all about?

 

[Ddanno]

What was that stupid midfield lineout all about?

More Rassie ********

 

[Kiwiwomble]

This thread has been a wild read

 

[mungo]

What was that stupid midfield lineout all about?

Is it the same as a normal lineout whereby if the opposition don’t engage, no maul has formed and the boks can’t advance? Sounds easy to defend, like it’s more set up for the off the top play like they did.

 

[spursincornwall]

All of this doesn't matter, South Africa want to play New Zealand 50 times in the next ten years The world Cup would be simple as well, a final between the two teams

 

[McTallshort]

Is it the same as a normal lineout whereby if the opposition don't engage, no maul has formed and the boks can't advance? Sounds easy to defend, like it's more set up for the off the top play like they did.

Just seems pointless tinkering when you are chasing the game

 

[mungo]

Just seems pointless tinkering when you are chasing the game

Definitely. I’m just trying to understand the logic behind it

 

[Welsh Exile]

WTF did I just watch this morning. Unbelievable. That will be etched into SA rugby history. The faces of South Africans in the stand was a sight to behold. Fair play Australia.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

ok, finally watched the replay

As a rule i find most commentators annoying, theyre all bias and think they know the rules when often they dont

but

......it was pretty awesome hearing Australians ecstatic about rugby, almost tears of disbelief, its good for rugby

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Having had a day to digest I don't think Rassie needs to change a hell of a lot. I believe the biggest issue was mindset. On top of that the basics need to function Breakdown and line out in particular.

In terms of playing stock The main issue for me is at center and this is taking a long term look. We see a lot of young and fringe players getting look ins but beyond Canan Moodie we havn't seen Rassie look at the long term replacements for DDA/Est and Kriel/Am. Elsewhere we are covered IMO. At 9 we just don't have a world class 9 without some form of asterisk next to their names. We have a number of very promising youngsters but I don't see them getting into the Bok frame in time for 2027.

The only big cull for me is Libbok- just does not have the mental game down for serious test rugby. Apart from him I think we've seen enough of Venter and Nthlabakanye for now. Yes, we are without Kitshoff, Malhebe and Nyakane going forward but we have depth enough IMO:

LH
Nche / Steenekamp / Wessels / (TdT)
TH
Louw / Koch / TdT / Fouche

Apart from who need to be cut I believe we need to drop Mostert (more so to get in Nortje than cut Mostert as such), go 6/2 and get in Snyman and especially Nortje. Assuming we play to our strengths which I believe we should. So a few personel changes and a massive chip on the shoulders (along with knowing when to tighten the game up) should see us through Cape Town I reckon.

 

[mdaclarke]

Having had a day to digest I don't think Rassie needs to change a hell of a lot. I believe the biggest issue was mindset. On top of that the basics need to function Breakdown and line out in particular.

In terms of playing stock The main issue for me is at center and this is taking a long term look. We see a lot of young and fringe players getting look ins but beyond Canan Moodie we havn't seen Rassie look at the long term replacements for DDA/Est and Kriel/Am. Elsewhere we are covered IMO. At 9 we just don't have a world class 9 without some form of asterisk next to their names. We have a number of very promising youngsters but I don't see them getting into the Bok frame in time for 2027.

The only big cull for me is Libbok- just does not have the mental game down for serious test rugby. Apart from him I think we've seen enough of Venter and Nthlabakanye for now. Yes, we are without Kitshoff, Malhebe and Nyakane going forward but we have depth enough IMO:

LH
Nche / Steenekamp / Wessels / (TdT)
TH
Louw / Koch / TdT / Fouche

Apart from who need to be cut I believe we need to drop Mostert (more so to get in Nortje than cut Mostert as such), go 6/2 and get in Snyman and especially Nortje. Assuming we play to our strengths which I believe we should. So a few personel changes and a massive chip on the shoulders (along with knowing when to tighten the game up) should see us through Cape Town I reckon.

You won't win a world cup with Libbok. He is great when you are on top, but not the player to grind out tight wins such as in World Cup knockouts.

Venter and Nthlabakanye are just not good enough. Nthlabakanye in particular is a relic from the amateur era, too slow at international level opposition players will just run around him.

Mostert is getting too old he looked so slow when he came on.

I think you were really missing Pollard and Le Roux, they know how to manage a game.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

ok, finally watched the replay

As a rule i find most commentators annoying, theyre all bias and think they know the rules when often they dont

but

......it was pretty awesome hearing Australians ecstatic about rugby, almost tears of disbelief, its good for rugby

this stuff is unheard of when it comes to rugby in Aussie....so good

 

[Ddanno]

Sad bok fan faces make me happy. Well done Rassie.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I guess it puts what the lions did into perspective. Has Schmidt turned Australia around?

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I guess it puts what the lions did into perspective. Has Schmidt turned Australia around?

i would say aussies problems extend past what schmidt and the wallabies achieve....but if they can stay competitive (i doubt RSA will get ambushed again) then it will go some way to stopping the downward slide

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I guess it puts what the lions did into perspective. Has Schmidt turned Australia around?

Imo it shows that Schmidt might have cost it with his selection imo

He needed to have trusted players who might not have had all the form but had big game experience

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Imo it shows that Schmidt might have cost it with his selection imo

He needed to have trusted players who might not have had all the form but had big game experience

That's always a decision that looks good or bad in hindsight. Coaches often get slated for selecting favourites with big game experience over those in form for their clubs.

 

[Hmmmmmm]

Imo it shows that Schmidt might have cost it with his selection imo

He needed to have trusted players who might not have had all the form but had big game experience

Or he might have taken a long term view with some of his big name players coming back from injuries. What’s the point of playing someone coming back from injury when you might end up losing them for longer if they worsen the injury? We’ll have played 15 tests by the end of the year. Player welfare has to come into it sometimes.