I heard Warren and Coenie would be ready but if not we need Wilco instead of Dreyer. We're spoilt for choice in the forwards barring injury and the coaching staff have ironed out their role spectacularly. I noticed that during the Newlands test that most of our forwards were starting their runs with two hands on the ball as opposed to tucking and charging, a seemingly small thing but it keeps the defense honest, draws in defenders, keeps the defenders focus on the ball, allows you to quickly pass and doesn't make it completely obvious you're about to charge at the line. Most of Loods career he has been tucking the ball under his arm and crashing into the line, was just interesting to me to see him play this way. My point being that the Coaches are developing some x factor and continuity on attack, and our forwards are becoming a lot more dynamic because of it. Now all we need to change is the fact that a lot of the time the forwards are receiving the ball static, or resorting to pods to get go forward and we rarely run onto the ball or receive it at pace.
I think you could argue we need a change for each of our backline players. The EOYT brings perfect opportunity to blood some new options, I'd like to see new wings a new 13, a backup scrummy and a new 15.
I will finally concede that EJ is not our boy at 10, but tbf we have limited him a lot compared to how he was allowed to play at the Lions. Either he needs to be given the reigns or we need a flyhalf that can do specifically what AC wants. Pollard makes sense, until he's injured again and then we're in the same hole. Begging the bok staff to bring along Bosch and Willemse as backup, definitely Curwin as he has been bossing the game around at 10 especially in the wet at Kings Park which could come in handy up north.
Coetzee has been safe, you can see the intent to do something great and he has loads of energy but he doesn't deliver how a top class 15 should. Any fool can receive kicks and run into contact, we need our 15 to spark something, put a guy into space, go for the gaps, or chip if that's the only option left. Coetzee's boot is great, but Curwin's is better, it doesn't really matter as he's barely kicking anyway. If his lack of counter and serial contact is a directive then it's hopeless making changes at 15. If not, bring a guy like Gelant in to spark some magic into the backline.
As for the wings, I think Leyds is a solid option now, especially with his ability to cover 15 in a bind or the kicking game he brings, he links up well, out classes Rhule In defense, can wiggle his way through defenders, and has been really impressive for WP.
I like Skosan, perhaps not as much as with the Lions, but he's been solid overall this season.
We should experiment, Sbu won't disappoint, Mapimpi would also be a smart bet for a trial or two during this EOYT. Senatla is too obvious for me, being the all out speedster he is, hasn't quite been able to deal with not being able to run around people in 15s. That being said, he's had some great touches and many tries for WP and I would rather we had him in the squad then Rhule.
Serf has been solid, I wouldn't throw two new centres on but I would leave Jessie out of the squad entirely (despite his very brave defense in Newlands). Let's get RjvR, Am, and a guy like Venter who's been having a great season with the Cheetahs into the fold, all are as dynamic as they come. I've been saying all year DDA should be playing CC and SR until he is back to best and imo we're just hurting his game even more keeping him on the bench.
All in all if AC wants continuity and is scared of experimenting during the EOYT then we should at least try spread out changes at 10, 13 and 15, with Schreuder coming on at 9 off the bench.
