[November Tests 2016 EOYT] England vs. South Africa (12/11/2016)

[TRF_heineken]

Damn. Pity that Rohan wasn't selected.

That team seems to me like we're going in for physicality over pace... Happy for Venter making his debut.

 

[Sotavalta]

Okay I am making my prediction. England by 15 - 20.

 

[BakkiesBokke]

Okay I am making my prediction. England by 15 - 20.

Yeah I think England by 20. If England don't win this, I will be very surprised. It would be the second biggest upset this Autumn!

 

[ncurd]

Stop the sandbagging so you can make anything look like a victory, where are the good old days of predicting that you'll never lose to Japan.

 

[Sotavalta]

I don't know why AC keeps on picking DDA! If he wanted a physically strong team (as we can clearly see he tried to pick) why not pick Rohan Janse van Rensburg over DDA? He is about 8kg heavier and just a better rugby player

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

[FONT=&quot]The Springbok team to face England at Twickenham:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]15. Willie le Roux (Canon Eagles (Japan)), 39 caps, 45 points
14. Ruan Combrinck (Xerox Golden Lions), 4 caps, 13 points
13. Francois Venter (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), uncapped
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Western Province), 20 caps, 10 points
11. JP Pietersen (Leicester Tigers (England)), 69 caps, 120 points
10. Patrick Lambie (vice-captain) (Cell C Sharks), 53 caps, 137 points
9. Rudy Paige (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 5 caps, 0 points
8. Warren Whiteley (Docomo Red Hurricanes (Japan)), 12 caps, 15 points
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Western Province), 17 caps, 15 points
6. Willem Alberts (Stade Francais (France)), 41 caps, 35 points
5. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 25 caps, 20 points
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province), 53 caps, 10 points
3. Vincent Koch (Saracens (England)), 7 caps, 0 points
2. Adriaan Strauss (captain) (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 63 caps, 30 points
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 84 caps, 10 points
Replacements
16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Western Province), 3 caps, 0 points
17. Steven Kitshoff (Bordeaux (France)), 7 caps, 0 points
18. Lourens Adriaanse (Cell C Sharks), 4 caps, 0 points
19. Franco Mostert (Ricoh Black Rams (Japan)), 4 caps, 0 points
20. Nizaam Carr (DHL Western Province), 2 caps, 0 points
21. Faf de Klerk (Xerox Golden Lions), 8 caps, 0 points
22. Johan Goosen (Racing 92 (France)), 10 caps, 20 points
23. Lionel Mapoe (Kubota Spears (Japan)), 9 caps, 0 points


http://www.sarugby.net/news/springboks-shuffle-team-clash-england/[/FONT]

 

[SomeOke]

Seems like a decent team (and even if we win we are going to get into trouble for how white it is), but we're still going to lose.
My bored friend made this graph:

With the colouring representing who is better. Hard to disagree and there is a lot of red on the SA side of things.
Not to mention they have a better team culture, coach and strategy in general.
And it's at home. In the winter.

Yeah we're going to lose.

Edit: And I see it's Garces reffing, so we now have no chance. He's reffed 10 of our games and we've won 3.

 

[George Ford]

With the exception of Francois Venter at 13 and a newlook back-row, AC is going with his tried and tested (but failed) combination. What did Rohan do to him?? (The guy who scored the try that saved the Boks from another humiliating loss). SMH !

 

[Every Time Ref]

Springbok Team:

15. Willie le Roux (Canon Eagles (Japan)), 39 caps, 45 points
14. Ruan Combrinck (Xerox Golden Lions), 4 caps, 13 points
13. Francois Venter (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), uncapped
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Western Province), 20 caps, 10 points
11. JP Pietersen (Leicester Tigers (England)), 69 caps, 120 points
10. Patrick Lambie (vice-captain) (Cell C Sharks), 53 caps, 137 points
9. Rudy Paige (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 5 caps, 0 points
8. Warren Whiteley (Docomo Red Hurricanes (Japan)), 12 caps, 15 points
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Western Province), 17 caps, 15 points
6. Willem Alberts (Stade Francais (France)), 41 caps, 35 points
5. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 25 caps, 20 points
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province), 53 caps, 10 points
3. Vincent Koch (Saracens (England)), 7 caps, 0 points
2. Adriaan Strauss (captain) (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 63 caps, 30 points
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 84 caps, 10 points

Replacements

16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Western Province), 3 caps, 0 points
17. Steven Kitshoff (Bordeaux (France)), 7 caps, 0 points
18. Lourens Adriaanse (Cell C Sharks), 4 caps, 0 points
19. Franco Mostert (Ricoh Black Rams (Japan)), 4 caps, 0 points
20. Nizaam Carr (DHL Western Province), 2 caps, 0 points
21. Faf de Klerk (Xerox Golden Lions), 8 caps, 0 points
22. Johan Goosen (Racing 92 (France)), 10 caps, 20 points
23. Lionel Mapoe (Kubota Spears (Japan)), 9 caps, 0 points

What's Francois Venter all about?

 

[Sker]

Seems like a decent team (and even if we win we are going to get into trouble for how white it is), but we're still going to lose.
My bored friend made this graph:

With the colouring representing who is better. Hard to disagree and there is a lot of red on the SA side of things.
Not to mention they have a better team culture, coach and strategy in general.
And it's at home. In the winter.

Yeah we're going to lose.

Edit: And I see it's Garces reffing, so we now have no chance. He's reffed 10 of our games and we've won 3.

Pretty much more or less accurate, but I wouldn't agree with Lambie being better / same level as Ford. Not with his current form anyway. Ford's pretty damn good.

 

[ncurd]

Can you explain how your bench 9 is better than our bench 9 when its the opposite on starting 9's and both are 9's are of 'equalish' quality?

 

[Mumbles119]

What's Francois Venter all about?

I was lucky enough to be at the SA vs Baa Baa game. For SA, the mid filed combination of Venter and Rohan was one of the few things that stood out very positively for SA. I remember thinking at the time that this will be harder on England if this new centre partnership appears for our game as well.

(Slightly off topic but...) For the Baa Baas, Nanai was an obvious stand out talent. But I thought Akker van der Merwe the Lions hooker was superb, always everywhere, always making an impact in turnover or aggressive carrying. Is he/has he ever considered for SA honours?

 

[spartan32]

I've not watched a lot of Quins this season - how is Brown playing?
I know we should trust in Eddie, never lost blah blah blah but I'm a bit disappointed too. But injuries have forced his hand in certain spots. Obviously hoping for a win, but I don't want us to take a backwards step in team selections as a result.


Hope Hughes gets I'll or injured and can't play and that Jamie George gets some proper game time and not the usual 2-5mins at the death.

Browns looked ok from what I've seen. Usual stuff really. He's never going to get back to where he was a few years back but he's still solid. EJ really needs to figure out who his replacement is going to be and soon. It's clearly not Goode. Maybe Watson will be cultivated? Or someone brand new although no names jump to mind. I wonder if Daly could do it. Good tackler, great boot, very good runner?

Anywho, I guess brown will do for now.

 

[spartan32]

Just seen the lineup for England. Interesting to see Teo on the bench. Will he actually get on I wonder? I also wonder who would drop into full back should Brown go down? Not either wing, I'd have to guess Daly? Some moaning on here about the pack but it doesn't look too bad. Pretty heavyweight, vunipolas on top form, launch and Lawes always pretty handy, and good line out options. Fine the back row isn't as dynamic as people would like but it seems solid enough. It's not like we've got Pooper to deal with in this game. All in all I'm happy enough. Good to see some new lads getting a shot.

 

[unrated]

I was lucky enough to be at the SA vs Baa Baa game. For SA, the mid filed combination of Venter and Rohan was one of the few things that stood out very positively for SA. I remember thinking at the time that this will be harder on England if this new centre partnership appears for our game as well.

(Slightly off topic but...) For the Baa Baas, Nanai was an obvious stand out talent. But I thought Akker van der Merwe the Lions hooker was superb, always everywhere, always making an impact in turnover or aggressive carrying. Is he/has he ever considered for SA honours?

He burst onto the scene this year. He is the backup hooker at the lions behind Malcolm Marx who is currently the third choice hooker for our coach AC.

Our confidence has been tested by the results these last two years that's probably why most of us are predicting a loss. The internal belief of knowing the team can overcome slowly evaporates. And believing we will win where it seems questionable sets you up for disappointment.

I feel good about the squad selected. AC clearly just picked the biggest forward pack he possibly could. Lets hope they can keep up with the fitness of the English team. It will probably be countered by the fact that England are only now starting the International season.
Disappointed that DDA was picked over Rohan. DDA must seriously be liked by AC. I hoped Faf got a chance with a good fly halve for once but then the team would seriously get criticized by the minister of sport so yea we will go with that.

Will go out on a branch and predict a 5 point win for the Springboks. Hope its not wishful thinking!

 

[tsof]

Browns looked ok from what I've seen. Usual stuff really. He's never going to get back to where he was a few years back but he's still solid. EJ really needs to figure out who his replacement is going to be and soon. It's clearly not Goode. Maybe Watson will be cultivated? Or someone brand new although no names jump to mind. I wonder if Daly could do it. Good tackler, great boot, very good runner?

Anywho, I guess brown will do for now.

Give Haley a year or two more and it'll be him.

 

[Aristodemus]

Nowell for me, unless someone comes out of nowhere.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Can you explain how your bench 9 is better than our bench 9 when its the opposite on starting 9's and both are 9's are of 'equalish' quality?

De Klerk is a much better player than Paige from what I've seen.

 

[Which Tyler]

Just seen the lineup for England. Interesting to see Teo on the bench. Will he actually get on I wonder? I also wonder who would drop into full back should Brown go down? Not either wing, I'd have to guess Daly? Some moaning on here about the pack but it doesn't look too bad. Pretty heavyweight, vunipolas on top form, launch and Lawes always pretty handy, and good line out options. Fine the back row isn't as dynamic as people would like but it seems solid enough. It's not like we've got Pooper to deal with in this game. All in all I'm happy enough. Good to see some new lads getting a shot.

Why not May? Though Daly's an option as well.

Anyway, looking forwards, Watson and Haley are the 2 next in line, Nowell is possible since he gets 20 matches under his belt at 15...

 

[Every Time Ref]

Why not May? Though Daly's an option as well.

Anyway, looking forwards, Watson and Haley are the 2 next in line, Nowell is possible since he gets 20 matches under his belt at 15...

Does May ever play fullback? He doesn't strike me as having the spatial awareness for the position, could just be being unfair there though