Baby Boks play England in the final on Friday 20 June 2014 at 09h35
SOUTH AFRICA u20 SQUAD
| F | SF | G3 | G2 | G1 | POS | NAME | AGEG | H | W | UNION | H/SCHOOL | P/SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 18 | LP | Thomas du Toit | u19 | 189 | 130 | Sharks | HJS Paarl BH | Dirkie Uys |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | H | Corniel Els | u20 | 183 | 103 | Bulls | Grey College | Pietersburg |
| 3 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 17 | TP | Dayan vd Westhuizen | u20 | 181 | 118 | Bulls | Centurion | Hugo Rust |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 19 | L | JD Schickerling | u19 | 202 | 109 | WP | Paarl Gim | De Villiers Graaff |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | L | Nicolaas Jv Rensburg | u20 | 199 | 109 | Bulls | Affies | Hennopspark |
| 6 | 6 | 7 | inj | 6 | F | Jacques Vermeulen | u19 | 197 | 104 | WP | Paarl Gim | Paarl Gim |
| 7 | 7 | 20 | 7 | 7 | F | Cyle Brink | u20 | 193 | 112 | Lions | KES | Kenton |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | #8 | Aidon Davis | u20 | 190 | 100 | EP Kings | Dan Pienaar | Handhaaf |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | SH | JP Smith | u20 | 185 | 87 | Bulls | Queen’s | Hangklip |
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | FH | Handre Pollard © | u20 | 189 | 97 | Bulls | Paarl Gim | Somerset West |
| 11 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 11 | W | Sergeal Petersen | u20 | 171 | 82 | EP Kings | Grey High | Grey |
| 12 | 12 | 12 | inj | 12 | C | Andre Esterhuizen | u20 | 192 | 102 | Sharks | Klerksdorp | Goudkop |
| 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | FB | Jesse Kriel | u20 | 186 | 95 | Bulls | M. College | Merchiston |
| 14 | 23 | 13 | 12 | – | C | Daniel Kriel | u20 | 193 | 102 | Bulls | M. College | Merchiston |
| 15 | 15 | 23 | 15 | 15 | FB | Warrick Gelant | u19 | 181 | 86 | Bulls | Outeniqua | Hornlee |
| 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | – | H | Joseph Dweba | u19 | 174 | 105 | F/State | Louis Botha | Gerrit Maritz |
| 17 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 1 | LP | Pierre Schoeman | u20 | 184 | 117 | Bulls | Affies | Elardus Park |
| 18 | 18 | 3 | 18 | 3 | TP | Wilco Louw | u20 | 185 | 130 | Bulls | Drostdy | Wolseley |
| 19 | 19 | – | 19 | 4 | L | Abongile Nonkontwana | u19 | 196 | 108 | Bulls | St Alban’s | Selborne |
| 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | – | L | Victor Sesekete | u20 | 195 | 112 | Lions | Queens HS | Roseneath |
| 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | SH | Mthokozisi Mkhabela | u20 | 167 | 75 | F/State | Glenwood | Grantham Park |
| 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | FH | Jean-Luc du Plessis | u20 | 179 | 87 | Sharks | HJS Paarl BH | Kenridge |
| 23 | 11 | 23 | – | W | Duhan vd Merwe | u19 | 194 | 100 | SA 7′s | Outeniqua | George South | |
| – | 14 | – | 14 | 14 | W | Lloyd Greef | u20 | 193 | 103 | Leopards | Transvalia | De Duer |
| – | 6 | – | – | F | Thabo Mabuza | u20 | 182 | 88 | Lions | Centurion | White River | |
| – | 17 | – | – | TP | Nqoba Mxoli | u20 | 183 | 110 | Bulls | Westville | Lyndhurst | |
| inj | inj | inj | 6 | 20 | F | Jean-Luc du Preez | u19 | 193 | 112 | Sharks | Kearsney | DPHS |
| inj | inj | inj | inj | 23 | C | Rohan Jv Rensburg | u20 | 184 | 105 | Bulls | Waterkloof | Constantia Park |
| inj | inj | inj | inj | 2 | H | Malcolm Marx | u20 | 188 | 119 | Lions | KES | Nooitgedacht |
FIXTURES
| DATE | TIME | POOL A | PLACE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/06/14 | 03h35 | Argentina (0) | 17 | 36 | Australia (5) | Pukekohe |
| 02/06/14 | 07h35 | England (5) | 63 | 3 | Italy (0) | Pukekohe |
| 06/06/14 | 05h35 | Argentina (1) | 26 | 29 | Italy (4) | Auckland |
| 06/06/14 | 07h35 | England (10) | 38 | 24 | Australia (5) | Auckland |
| 10/06/14 | 05h35 | Australia (10) | 29 | 3 | Italy (4) | Pukekohe |
| 10/06/14 | 07h35 | England (14) | 17 | 16 | Argentina (2) | Auckland |
| POOL B | ||||||
| 02/06/14 | 05h35 | Wales (5) | 48 | 19 | Fiji (0) | Pukekohe |
| 02/06/14 | 07h35 | France (4) | 19 | 13 | Ireland (1) | Auckland |
| 06/06/14 | 05h35 | France (9) | 37 | 5 | Fiji (0) | Pukekohe |
| 06/06/14 | 07h35 | Wales (5) | 21 | 35 | Ireland (6) | Pukekohe |
| 10/06/14 | 03h35 | Ireland (11) | 38 | 0 | Fiji (0) | Auckland |
| 10/06/14 | 05h35 | Wales (9) | 13 | 3 | France (9) | Auckland |
| POOL C | ||||||
| 02/06/14 | 05h35 | South Africa (5) | 61 | 5 | Scotland (0) | Auckland |
| 02/06/14 | 09h35 | New Zealand (5) | 48 | 12 | Samoa (0) | Auckland |
| 06/06/14 | 03h35 | Scotland (0) | 18 | 27 | Samoa (4) | Pukekohe |
| 06/06/14 | 09h35 | New Zealand (5) | 24 | 33 | South Africa (10) | Auckland |
| 10/06/14 | 07h35 | Samoa (4) | 8 | 21 | South Africa (14) | Pukekohe |
| 10/06/14 | 09h35 | New Zealand (10) | 54 | 7 | Scotland (0) | Pukekohe |
| 9TH PLACE SEMI | ||||||
| 15/06/14 | 02h35 | Argentina – 10th | 38 | 12 | Fiji – 11th | Pukekohe |
| 15/06/14 | 05h05 | Italy- 9th | 18 | 21 | Scotland – 12th | Pukekohe |
| 5TH PLACE SEMI | ||||||
| 15/06/14 | 04h35 | Austalia – 5th | 53 | 16 | Samoa – 8th | Auckland |
| 15/06/14 | 07h35 | Wales – 6th | 18 | 19 | France – 7th | Pukekohe |
| SEMI FINALS | ||||||
| 15/06/14 | 07h05 | England – 2nd | 42 | 15 | Ireland – 3rd | Auckland |
| 15/06/14 | 09h15 | South Africa – 1st | 32 | 25 | New Zealand – 4th | Auckland |
| 11TH PLACE PLAYOFF | ||||||
| 20/06/14 | 02h35 | Fiji | Italy | Auckland | ||
| 9TH PLACE PLAYOFF | ||||||
| 20/06/14 | 05h05 | Argentina | Scotland | Auckland | ||
| 7TH PLACE PLAYOFF | ||||||
| 20/06/14 | 07h35 | Samoa | Wales | Auckland | ||
| 5TH PLACE PLAYOFF | ||||||
| 20/06/14 | 04h35 | Australia | France | Auckland | ||
| 3RD PLACE PLAYOFF | ||||||
| 20/06/14 | 07h05 | New Zealand | Ireland | Auckland | ||
| FINAL | ||||||
| 20/06/14 | 09h35 | South Africa | England | Auckland |
@Queenian: Why am I not surprised!
Gents would like to ask a question Goosen goes to practice on Monday and HM tells him the doctor says he cannot play so he sits on the sideline during practice the doctor then comes up to him and ask why he is not practicing he,s say’s HM said you said I cannot which he then replied what on earth you speaking about. The end result Goosen boards a plane out of PE in a rush. Now we wonder what on earth is going on in the Bok rugby camp does not sound good.( And this is 100% true.)
Anyway was at the game on Saturday the Boks played well in stages but was not convinced. Pollard had a decent game but nobody put any pressure on him in anyway so we will see what happens against Aus and NZ something tells me we will be caught wanting.
Lood De Jager played like a champion was very impressed, Serfontein is like a robot pre-programed to be boring.
@Djou: If you can honestly read anything into that performance, you are a magician. It was a waste of time. Bring on Auz and NZ and let’s talk. You may be right, but one would only know against meaningful opposition where it doesn’t go all out way and our forwards don’t dominate all the exchanges.,
@Grasshopper: I know it was only Scotland’s B-side, but do you still think Pollard is out of his depth?
@Rooibaard:
I’d call it ideal timing. Best players are selected, and then given time to train & play together.
Why they play second-string sides in the warm-ups I don’t quite understand though.
Handre Pollard has been selected to the Springbok squad for Saturday’s test against Scotland.
I agree regarding the competitions, but I do have a problem with the timing – wrong time of the year.
@Woltrui:
Can see a lot of promise in JP Smith. We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.
Can’t say I saw enough from Janse van Rensburg to make me think the Bulls will invest heavily in him, but then I’m not a coach, nor did I go out of my way to monitor his presence on the field. You may well be right. I do think the Bulls are more likely to try make something of Marvin Orie in the short term though.
@Rooibaard:
Are you referring to the U20 games against Argentina and Varsity sides? Or to the U19 competition?
I think our U19 competition is excellent. The only thing I would change is to have the same sides in the U19 A competition as what is playing in the Currie Cup Premier Division, and then have them playing the exact same fixtures as the senior side every week.
Make it a rugby day at the stadium every weekend. U19’s, followed by U21’s, followed by Currie Cup. If WP travels to Bloem, so do their U19 & U21. At the moment it only happens once or twice a season.
Long term I’d like to see the Currie Cup revert back to 6 teams, without relegation, and have the 8 smaller unions become amateurs. Way too many people with their hand in the bread basket.
Just went and had a look at that try before half-time. Bit weird from Sergeal. His defense outside that is usually excellent for a small guy! He definitely should’ve attempted, or at least narrowed the angle for the conversion given that the try was a sure thing.
Some very competent players. Regarding Sergeal – rugby consists of attack and DEFENCE. He was largely a liability on defence. Why didn’t he at least try a tackle in the try just before the break ?
Why do we play our under 20 competition so late in the year ? Why don’t we play more matches before the tournament ?
@vatikaki: Interesting blog Vatikaki. Agree on most of the players with you. Do differ on the following. JP Smit’s boxkick’s were very poor through out the tournament and especialy in the final(got 1 right? in the final. 3 were stormed down or reflected by oposition players). He is standing in line behind some good scrumhalfs in Pretoria before he will get the opportunity to play CC.
Janse Van Rensburg, the 5 lock were my best 5 at the tournament. Apart from doing his basics very well, he has a good presence on the field. Working with Victor, I predict he is the Bulls furure at 5.
If Malcolm Marx sort out his line-out through in he can become a Bismark type of player-future bok.
Corniel Els. Very good no 2. Hope he can bulk up some more to be a typical big robust SA type of hooker.
Schickerling. This kid is VERY good. HUGE future ahead barring injuries.
Ditto Kyle Brink.
Jaques Vermeulen. Surprise package at JWC. Very good player.
General remarks. Dawie Theron is doing great work with the JB since he took the reins. Before he came in, the JB were nowere. Last 3 years we were 1, 3 and 2. The problem I have, and I think most of the bloggers would agree, is that with our school and youth structures combined with our talent we SHOULD win this tournament annually. THis tournament was there for the taking. We lost it. England din’t win it. On the day our conservative approach, as well as Mr Teron’s inability to change the pattern during the game, cost us the JWC. Mr Theron always was and always will be very conservative in his approach. Anybody who followed Griquas would know how he approach a match. I suspect that while MR Theron is playing the guitar our backline play will always be under utilise. The like’s of Gallant, Pietersen, the Kriels and the Kolbe’s would never come to the fore. Maybe we need a change at management level with the JB. MR Theron definately took us forward. We need to take the next step were we can combine the strong forward play with our talented backs.
@vatikaki: Hy het gister gesukkel in die skrum…kommentators het ook melding daarvan gemaak. Vroeg in 2de helfte vervang.
@maroon8:
Nie gesê Dayan is te klein nie. Liewer dat as hy werk aan om ‘n beter atleet te word sal hy nog beter wees! Ek was heel verbaas hoe goed hy gegaan het in hierdie toernooi!
@vatikaki: Goeie verslaggie. Dyan te klein? ek dink hy het heel goed gedoen….en ‘n speler vir die toekoms mits hy daai vetjies kan omruil vir “real mass” Dink egter Pierre Schoeman is te klein vir groter rugby maar hy het goed gedoen….Wilco het goed gedoen….Is daar tans beter? Nee…..hulle was die beste! Stutte moet heel eerste kan skrum en daarvoor die regte afmetings(grootte en gewig) he. Dink die ou wat nou op die vlak nie ten minste 1,88m en 118kg met min bodyfat oor beskik,sal sukkel….
@vatikaki: just one point, JL Doop was not 100%. I think both brothers might end up as locks, very powerful….
@vatikaki: Read in the paper this morning that Pollard might get a Bok call up for the Scotland test!!!!
@vatikaki: great summary on each, I agree with all your points :-)
My thoughts on the boys during the tournament:
Thomas du Toit – Big & strong, but his work-rate didn’t necessarily scream future Springbok, although surely the replacement for the Beast once he steps aside, and a great option off the bench for the Sharks in the mean time (better then Chadwick). Only U19 so I can only hope he begins to dominate outside of scrums as well.
Pierre Schoeman – A good prop who can become a Super Rugby regular. The Bulls need good props (Marcel vd Merwe the only quality they have at the moment), so he might find himself playing Currie Cup within the next couple of years, if he works on his conditioning even more that is.
Nqoba Mxoli – Didn’t see any game time.
Dayan van der Westhuizen – Surprised me. He played very well, although I expect him, like the other props, to continue working on his conditioning if he wants to play senior rugby, where he won’t be playing alongside players who are significantly bigger then their counterparts.
Wilco Louw – Was left underwhelmed. Didn’t see anything from him but a massive frame who can hold up a scrum.
Malcolm Marx – What a shame he got injured. Has the physical traits to go a long way, but I’m thinking his career will probably be as a Super Rugby regular, and a good one at that.
Corniel Els – Played very well when he took over from Malcolm Marx. Will have a hard time trying to play senior rugby in Pretoria, but a move back to the Cheetahs might well see him sitting behind only Adriaan Strauss.
Joseph Dweba – Disappointed when he came on in the final, and didn’t see much if any game-time before that.
JD Schickerling – While I can see why people rate him so highly, I’ll be hoping he starts training with Eben Etzebeth and looks to play much more physically as well. Has all the skills but needs to start hurting people if he wants to play test rugby.
Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg – So so. Another who may have a tough time making it in Pretoria, but moving to a smaller union may see him getting some Currie Cup matches. Didn’t stand-out, but didn’t disappoint either.
Thabo Mabuza – Played one game, was no good. Too small.
Victor Sekekete – Did well in his one start. Too small for a lock, not quite a loose-forward either may be his downfall. Will have a tough time trying to make it as a professional for those reasons.
Jacques Vermeulen – Played very well whenever he was on the field. Don’t understand why he was taken off so early in the final (should’ve rather moved him to 8 with Aidon Davis going off), but I’m sure he’ll be back next year.
Jean-Luc du Preez – Again I’m left a tad underwhelmed, although I can see the potential in terms of physicality. Vermeulen the better of the two I thought.
Cyle Brink – Best forward we had I thought. We impressed when we played physical and high-intensity rugby, and it was largely because of the work he put in.
Abongile Nonkontwana – Didn’t really see enough of him. Will have to see how he goes next year.
Aidon Davis – Left underwhelmed. Doesn’t get involved enough. Sure he plays mistake-free rugby, but he’s not going to win you any games. Could become a Super Rugby regular for the Kings if he works hard.
JP Smith – Excellent box-kicker, and his size is a definite advantage, but needs to take a bit of inspiration from Fourie du Preez and realize that you still need to play the game with speed when you’re attacking the line. Outside of being a bit slow around rucks I thought he showed enough promise to suggest he can be the Bulls starting 9 soon.
Zee Mkhabela – Has a great pass, but his tactical awareness is non-existent unfortunately. I enjoyed that he put the ball in front of players very well, allowing them to attack the line with pace.
Handre Pollard – Excellent tournament.
Andre Esterhuizen – Shouldn’t have been taken off in the final. I hope it was because of injury, because I think it cost us the game. Definitely needs work at linking with runners when taking the ball to the line, but is excellent ball-in-hand and brings the kind of physicality that we love to see. I don’t think he’s anywhere near being a Springbok as some suggest but I’d definitely be looking at regular Super Rugby minutes next year.
Jesse Kriel – Excellent ball in hand, but too many knock-ons, and I don’t think he’s really any better then Dries Swanepoel for example. Might have to try shifting back to fullback if he wants to play Super Rugby in Pretoria any time soon.
Daniel Kriel – Played well against New Zealand, but definitely not a winger, and again handling errors was a problem. Really don’t know what to make of him, as it was more inconsistency rather then a lack of potential that had me wondering. Like his brother Jesse, he may have a hard time cracking senior rugby in a crowded Bulls backline.
Lloyd Greeff – Played brilliantly against Scotland, and from there it was downhill. Still I think he can play Currie Cup rugby for a big franchise, and try to push on from there. Needs to get away from the Leopards though as the bigger franchises will be less likely to invest in him the older he gets.
Sergeal Petersen – Played excellent rugby the entire tournament. Simple as that. I can’t really fault him.
Duhan van der Merwe – Didn’t see much game time, but set up a great try in the final and looked dangerous on another occasion. A shame we didn’t see more of him, because if he’s going to be doing those things all game, we may have found our future Springbok 11.
Warrick Gelant – Was very impressed. I think he needs to model his game on Willie le Roux a bit more. Get more involved, and show a bigger desire to take high balls, but that will come the longer he plays fullback. Definitely doesn’t appear to have the physicality to continue as a midfielder at senior level, but could be an excellent fullback with the right guidance. Looking forward to seeing him again next year.
Jean-Luc du Plessis – Looked good when on the field. Dawie should have brought him on and moved Handre to 12 in the final, rather then moving Dan Kriel to 12 (if Andre was injured that is).
Don’t think I missed anybody.
Verduidelik asb net weer hoe is dit dat ons 2 keer teen new zeeland moes speel…dink ons seuns was blerrie geesteljk uitgeput gewees….take a bow….jong bokkies my respek gewen
hoe het ons die een verloor?
was, veral in die 1ste helfte, oor die Engelse, maar kon nie punte aanteken nie
nr 9 het nie ‘n goeie dag gehad nie en span onder baie druk gesit
waarom sou Pollard 1ste skepskoppoging met linkervoet probeer as hy regs is en nie onder druk was nie?
uiteindelik het ons heeltemal te veel balbesit vermors met skoppe – die wedstrydplan was ons ondergang
maar so leer mens – teleurgestel, maar sal nooit ons jong helde te veel kritiseer nie
hard luck boys
@knowthegame: @knowthegame: Amen again..
@Rooibaard: Daar is baie met die strukture verkeerd-ma dit gaan nie gou verander nie-alles begin met kontaktering op skool ma dit vir n anderdag-hierdie is n goeie span maar ons speel vandag die verkeerde patroon-maar guess what-DT sal weer volgende jaar afrig.enige regdenkende afrigter sal nie toelaat dat bal besit net weg geskop word nie.Ons baklei vir die bal-net om dit weg te skop-skop nie uit ens.Die afrigter moet pa staan en glo my he “got it wrong”
We need to rethink our structures very carefully if we want to give our Jong Bokke a fair chance at the Junior World Cup. Trials and three matches against a below average Aregentina is not good enough. The European teams have participated in a full Six Nations as well as their internal competitions. If I’m not mistaken our provincial under 20 cometition has not yet started.
I suggest that we play our under 20 competition earlier and arrange far more matches for a national team in conjunction with the Super 15.
GO BOKKE
On a very positive note, these guys will be back next year – Du Toit, Schikerling, Vermeulen, Du Preez ( all in the pack ) and then Gelant in the backs. That is 5 key players with an extra year experience.
Abongile and Dweba will also be back next year – that makes 7 out of our squad! Going to be a very experienced u20 side next year!
Baie van die Jong Bokkies sal sekerlik nie senior internasionale rugby speel nie – heelwat van hulle wel provinsiale rugby. As SA jaarliks 3-4 toekomstige toetssspelers oplewer doen ons goed.
@boxkick: The problem with one dimensional rugby is that it is predicable and therefore more easily defendable, unless you are playing Scotland or Portugal. The problem with announcing the arrival of the messiah is a little like kicking off before the whistle. Phenomenal at schoolboy level doesn’t translate into a spectacular long standing captain of the national side career to save us from the doldrums of a monotonous “I’ll run through you or kick the hard fought possession away” mentality. Good at U20 level with a dominating pack with go-forward ball, a talented scrum half who provides good distribution, and yes a good player can be a standout player. But turn it around and have forwards not dominating the set pieces, not protecting the ball at the rucks and mauls, a scrum half under pressure whose pass is suddenly more erratic, and you have a fly half who looks ordinary, WELCOME to the world of international SENIOR rugby!! Suddenly the prospect of a long term springbok career and definite captain is not a sure bet. Unless we continue with our national strategy, skop en charge.
hardluck boys…well done Pollard on your award…not that you needed it…you will be a bok soon with or without that trophy for man of the series…deservedly or not, you will make it…as long as we keep playing this bush1t kicking game we call rugby…
@muzi – I see now why you rate Pollard so highly…he should only get the ball when there is an exit play to be played…the rest of the time please skip him
I really hope Grant Esterhuizen never plays for the Boks again. I do hope Andre Esterhuizen gets an opportunity in the near future.
@bhkgpa: I never said he wasn’t any good! I said he was no savior or the standard of Carter, huge difference…he’ll play for the Boks along with Thomas Du Toit, JD Schickerling, Grant Esterhuizen & Jesse Kriel. But that does not make him world class….yet!
@Speartackle: Hopefully by then, you would have overcome your “identity crisis”@knowthegame: You will not be the first to swallow his words, but only time will tell
Congrats Handre Pollard for being named IRB Junior player of the year. This is a great achievement by someone who is not even a good player, according to some on the blog.
@Speartackle: Topic Monitor measures the relevance of a comment to a thread or topic. Note Topic Monitor says my reply is off the topic.
@knowthegame: Topic Monitor says that’s off the topic. Topic Monitor also says your name cannot be correct, please change.
@Ploegskaar: What is this Topic Monitor?
@BOG: jy praat bog
@Speartackle: Topic Monitor says that’s off the topic. Thank you for writing in English though.
@BOG: And where will you be in a few years time?
Hopefully you would have found yourself by then
@knowthegame: I stand by what I said- in a few years from now, most of the players, will be “lost”, gone, only occasionly to be seen at a rugby match- as spectators.
Toooooooo much kicking!!! When we actually hold onto the ball, we look devastating. Our forwards were matched for power by the English and we seemed to have no plan B.
Why Pollard goes for a drop kick from wide out as opposed to right in front of the posts, is a bit strange, thought we could have worked our way towards centre field and then gone for the drop.
Aidon Davis to me, is not a great player. He never takes the ball up and he certainly does not link – in fact, he seems to stand far out and collect kicks, once already out – what is the point? We needed an 8 who could play an active role in the game.
Vermeulen was brilliant while he was on – I did not rate him very highly at the start of the campaign, but he has been brilliant in this world cup and I look forward to watching him progress.
JP – wow, very slow scrumhalf!
@Roger: Amen…
kick kick kickety kick
the minute we kept ball in hand and went through the phases we were miles better
these kids get all the creativity coached out of them and it only gets worse the higher up the totem pole they go
Wow, England just wanted it more.
The Kriel twins make a ridiculous amount of handling errors.
Aidon Davis pretty average.
JP Smith has the skill-set and the size, but needs to sharpen up.
And why Handre Pollard took a very low percentage attempt at a drop-goal with only a few minutes remaining I don’t know.
But we lost because England came in with more intensity. Also showed that we brought too many passengers along who ended up having to fill in. Joseph Dweba for example was a shocker when he came on. Surely Daniel du Plessis will be the starting hooker next year??
@boerboel: you nailed it -but how can the coach dont spot it-what a joke-we keep on kicking good ball away-is RuanP coaching the 9?
@BOG: disagree-lots of talent in this team
How can we be behind after dominating the 1st half?
England 11 – SA 10 half time score !
Pollard very lucky to still be on…..
JD Schickerling is causing havoc in the England’s lineout: 3 balls stolen already with Thomas du Toit his only lifter !
Shocking start by JP Smith: 2 kicks charged down in the first 5 minutes and a knock on as well. The kick from the base is becoming so predictable !
@Andre T: Dis duidelik dat Suarez se terapiesessies met jou darem vrugte gedra het. Twee skitterende doele, sonder dat hy sy hand gebruik het of ‘n teenstaander gebyt het. Jammer, wou nie pla, jy en die span is seker nog besig om te vier. Jou manne sal ‘n plan moet maak wat betref besit!
@Grasshopper: @vatikaki: Stadig met Thomas……dat hy talentvol as jong speler is,is waar.Maar daar is ‘n paar bere voor hom wat meer potensiaal het.Hy het nog te veel jongvet as deel van daai 130kg.As Kebble beter as Kitshoff was,sou hy voor hom gespeel het.Kitshoff het nie sy gelyke in Suid Afrika as dit by workrate kom nie…as ‘n stut. Net jammer hy was nie so 3-4 cm langer nie!Coenie is gladnie ‘n goeie skrummer nie en Nick Mallet wys dit gereeld uit…..Het laasweek gebeur en sal weer komende week gebeur…iets is nie lekker met sy tegniek nie!
Gaan taaie wees vir die pak van Jongbokkies vandag…netnou…hoop hulle kan dit deurtrek en gaan duime vashou
@Grasshopper:
He’s looked alright, but I’m more excited about what Marcel van der Merwe and Oliver Kebble can do.
If I were to exclude the old timers (Jannie, Beast & Gurthro, let’s say they were all injured) I’d be going for a Springbok front-row that looks something like this:
1 Marcel van der Merwe (Expected him to be in Bok squad. He is brilliant)
3 Frans Malherbe
17 Oliver Kebble (monster of a prop. Better ball player then Kitshoff)
18 Coenie Oosthuizen
Anyway, the Baby Boks side for the Final has been announced:
– Lloyd Greeff injured, Dan Kriel in his place on the wing.
– Duhan van der Merwe takes Dan Kriel’s place on the bench.
– Abongile Nonkontwana drops out of the 23 altogether, with Victor Sekekete covering lock & Jean Luc du Preez coming in as loose-forward cover.
On a different note, I predict Thomas du Toit will be the next best thing since Os du Randt, now there is a great player…
@Festus February: Caused by you and your sunglasses cronies. Hutchie and Toppy must be shaking their heads, where have the morals gone….
@Grasshopper: its a runaway train
@Festus February: You too, but please stop the recruitment after grade 10, it really is not OK…..I’ll work on a petition from Old boys to try and stop it…
@Grasshopper: keep up the good work
@Festus February: hahaha ;-). So you are a coach or teacher at Glenwood…..you could have chosen a better name, maybe Trevor Kershaw or Rudi Dames…
@Grasshopper: i can see you are a bit slow even if you didnt mention it
@Festus February: Sorry who are you? I did actually play a game for Sharks Under19 in 1998 after trials. I played for Collegians Under 20a’s but was not good enough or quick enough to play at that level. I then moved to UKZN for 2 seasons and then WOB for another season. I did actually coach in London, but what would you know. I coached at Berkamsted School in Hertfordshire, heard of it? http://www.berkhamstedschool.org/Rugby-7s-County-Champions-1
http://www.berkhamstedschool.org/Rugby-Boys
@Grasshopper: i then know what you look like my broer and i actually enjoy reading the rubbish you write here every day but when you talk nonsens you must be reprimanded like that bull that you played provincial rugby and did coaching in London maybe you coached the pommies how to be more interactive on the tube every morning
@Festus February: absolute rubbish, you don’t know me from a bar of soap. I have been on this and other blogs for years, anybody who knows me knows I do know my rugby. I just have differing opinions on some players. Pollard is good but I do not think he is the next Dan Carter…
the fact is an outstanding player will always be loved by those who know their rugby and hated by those who know nothing. jealousy can make a person blind my broers i mean look at old Shrien and oscar man
@Grasshopper: at least I agree on this comment!
@Grasshopper: okay Grassy, we’ll just ignore you as requesred…..at least until you get your next lucidum intervallum
I have to admit, I was wrong about Pollard – he has proven to be a great rugby player and from what I have seen, will go all the way.
The whole team rely heavily on him and he has not let anyone down, in fact, he has shone!
Friday is going to be an epic encounter, epic
Handre Pollard has been nominated as candidate for “Player of the tournament”. Congrats to the young man!!
@boerboel: How is Fred’s kicking for poles compared to Pollard?
I have never been a big Pollard fan,but have become one in the last 2/3 months.
He has all the attributes to be a great Bok flyhalve ,although his goalkicking could be more consistant.
Fred is very average compared to Pollard.
he is
@BoishaaiPa: my opinion stands, hope I’m proven wrong. My opinion is worthless anyway as I know nothing about flyhalves so why not just ignore me…….
@Grasshopper: “Jeez, these Paarl okes are like sheep, Pollard has been hyped up. Actually watch what he does, not much to be honest”
Your words not mine…We only commented that he is playing very well at the moment and could be a Bok prospect….and you climbed in that he is “as exciting as watching paint dry” etc..and the above comment…..Nobody called him the next messiah or hyping him up…We just observe and comment on what we see.
Now you do a 360 and says he needs to proven more …He’s played CCu/21, JWC(3), Varsity Cup, Currie Cup, S15….
So he doesnt do much and been hyped up…Yet he played at all levels of SA rugby so far. Must be the biggest conman alive in SA Rugby!
@Speartackle: with Mjekevu on the wing – Kockett to Fred to Mjekevu
and Le Roux catching in the line out
@Speartackle: I like that suggestion. He will never make it here whilst we have Heyneke at the helm, for him it’s all about size…Fockett to Bastard….sorry Bastereuax….however you spell it…
@Roger: Agreed, see my previous post. I would have liked to have seen how Marx would have done too, real shame for him. However, I still think he is a flank not a hooker….
@Grasshopper: If I was Fred I’d go to France immediately and start applying for citizenship. His game is more suitable in the French tradition. Just think at the next World Cup Fred and Kockett the half back pairing. They’ll become legends there.
Fred and Cockett…………commentators can just name them….Fockett
@Festus February: Ek wonder hoe sal jy lyk met so comb over? Ek sien jou tjom, Paulse, probeer ook so ‘with it’ wees. Daai is darem naas Neil Andrews die mees irriterende karakter op TV. Ek hoop ook net Bakkies word nooit n TV aanbieder nie, hy like sy eie stem darem kwaai hoor, nou kamstig hierdie franse afrikaanse aksent.
@Roger: I did say he is talented, just that he needs more time to be groomed and gain experience before being rushed into the Bok set-up. Give him one more Super15 season. Give Fred a season too and he will show what he can do too….very different options. By the way I like your Cyle Brink boy, good player!
and while we are all been proud old boys – how good is Brink – hy is a yster!
@Festus February: Ja dit het vir my ook so gelyk maar mens mag mos niks hier se van die nuwe generasie haarstyle nie. Dit lyk darem bitter tos die ou nuwe comb over of watookal hulle dit noem. Andy Goode het dit so paar jaar terug hier kom bekend stel en die ou suid afrikanertjies het nou eers die gier gevang. Ek weet nie hoekom is ons met alles agter die tyd nie. Hulle behoort eintlik salonne te verbied om hare so te sny tensy jy sit en piepie.
@Grasshopper: and your opinion on Pollard has nothing to do with him having kept Right said Fred out of the 2012 team – and still whilst in school nogal.
Why don’t you just admit that they are both talented youngsters but Pollard is exactly the type of player HM is looking for – big, brash and in your face.
Is it just me or is he a dead ringer for Bobby Skinstadt too?
@Speartackle: het daai nommer 8 nou die dag met n rekkie in sy hare gespeel?
@Festus February:
Ek glo nie Theron sal aan die span torring nie maar aan die anderkant weet mens nooit. Met hom is enige iets moontlik.
Ek dink ook Brink op 8 met du Preez en Vermeulen op flank. Daai Vermeulen is hardwerkende spelertjie laat my baie dink aan Ian McDonald
@Speartackle: ek hoop daai bly by gerugte. ek wonder of daar n kans is dat Jean Luc du Preez reg sal wees vir Vrydag. Kan Cyle Brink agsteman speel?
Ek hoor gerugte dat Mabuza dalk Vrydag gaan begin, soek blykbaar meer spoed na die afbreekpunte en sy verdediging baie beter.
@Deon Pitzer:
Het al oorweeg om te frikkie maar dis baie sensitief
@Andre T: Dan moet jy ook maar pan.
@Deon Pitzer: Ek ook
Ou Deontjie, ek kry nie geslaap nie, die mense hierbo my pan nou al vir n uur lank.
@BOG: Geweet jy gaan kommentaar lewer op die obligado!
@BOG: Obrigada obligado muinto meirde punto blanco ego de puta macht sofort deine beine oppen ich wil diesch fieken porqua dia troya madonna
Do you know how many people are here? From all over the world and they all try and speak porra. My cleanmother should have come with. I’m struggling here man ou Bog, I’m even growing a moustache so that I can look like some of the aunties here.
@rugbyfan: Firstly, Im not going to comment on Pollard. Only a few months ago, people were questioning his abilities at the Bulls. Suddenly, he is regarded the best thing since sliced bread. And Im certainly not questioning his talent either. Im also questioning the way the Bulls are using Serfontein at 12- as a battering ram. I hope that he leaves for a better coach soon. At the Bulls they dont contract players to THINK.@BoishaaiPa: I thought that there were only GCB players, but its good that a few others get a chance too. Im just happy that the right Willie arrived at the match on Saturday, because I have see the wrong one arrive on a few occasions, and that was a disaster.@Andre T: Just dont plunder and murder the Porra language, otherwise your session with them, will be short lived. To begin with, its “Muinto obrigado” ( obrigada if female) and not “mucho obligado”
@star: I used the term sheep and did not use wannabe, that was old Pedantic. My point is to be more balanced in opinions, people write like Pollard is some sort of god. He is a kid doing pretty well, don’t put him on a pedestal. He still has lots to learn and I’m sure will be a great flyhalf one day. In SA we are so quick to proclaim kids as legends, greats and the next big thing this then puts pressure on the boys. They do need some constructive criticism at times to bring them back down to earth. They start to believe the hype too and get delusions of grandeur (ie Oscar P, I’m so great I’m untouchable scenario). We need to be very careful with junior prodigies. He has done extremely well to date, but unproven at Super15 for long enough and needs more Currie Cup experience. My point of Zeilinga is he has done the hard yards in Currie Cup, should have been called up in 2012 for the Junior World Cup ahead of Pollard and is far more mature & experienced than Pollard. He might not have the physical attributes of Pollard, but is a different sort of player. He is more Johnny Wilkinson than Lem. Zeilinga for me (not because he is a GOB) but because he is experienced would be ahead in the Bok queue for the end of the year. He was also playing for the strongest provincial side in SA……anyway, point made. Just be careful putting too much pressure on these kids…
@ Grassy- you talk of the freedom of having an opinion but then attack anyone that does not agree with you but supports the majority opinion( calling them sheep and wannabe’s) Believe it or not but sometimes the majority can get it right
You yourself have limited the definition of a flyhalf to exclude anyone that has size, physicality and can defend his channel and take on the advantage line. I did watch Pollard and he excelled in all these facets. He also was able to exit when required and position himself properly to score his tries. His distribution to the extent that the game plan allowed was more than satisfactory. I am reminded of my favourite bok flyhalf ( the might Lem). He was more blunt instrument than rapier but under his stewardship the boks had one of their golden eras. As Pedantic as alluded to Pollard is already the top points scorer at the JWC and is yet to taste defeat against our continual nemesis. I would at least give him the benefit of any doubt at this early stage.
@Andre T: Ooit weer vir Shakira, J Lo of Pitbull raakgekuier?
On my way up to the room now I came across a drunk Porra in the lift sitting in the corner saying to me…..
‘ I travelled all the way to Brazil 4 nothing ‘
@Pedantic: bunch of wannabe’s? It’s called having an opinion and standing by it. This isn’t big brother or 1984, where everyone just believes the hype. Just watch the kid carefully…..then tell me how great he is….disappointed with your response really…
01h51 …………..Suite 911………..Ipanema Trump Towers
SSSSSSSaambaaaaaa Jacarumbaaaaaaaa
So we have started off on a bad note losing heavily against Costa Rica but with Suarez back for the England game we’ll be okay. Uruguay officials not very happy with my methods so I’ll have to up my game.
I’ve had a busy 2 days here first of all I flew to North Carolina quickly on Sunday to go and watch the final day of the US Open and jeepers what a miserable course that is. Reminded me a lot of Schoeman Park in summer. Yesterday I went for an audition to appear in the new Peter Stuyvesant commercial. I had to kite surf over Ipanema beach with a anaconda tied around my waist and it was quite an experience. The producers asked me to be there again later this afternoon so we’ll see but I think it’s a given.
I also have a session with the Honduras and Porra teams today to help them with their on-field aggression so yes my days are busy. I had about 13 Margaritas tonight and I’m feeling a bit mellow so I think I’m off to bed as I’m also still a bit sensitive down below from those first 2 night’s antiques. Those staples really hurt and I wouldn’t recommend it to those fellow oversized individuals.
Have a wonderful day
Mucho obligado
Hasta la Vista
and I forgot about Bassie he is the best chasing up and unders. Papier will be bok scrum half soon. besides Du Preez we have absolute useless number nines. Even KOckett is useless the man can’t even talk sounded like he was making orgasm sounds
We also need elton and ryno Benjamin as well as Kolbe, Aplon in there . players with flair. In fact it won’t be long till the whole backline is coloureds. remember my words. we are taking over
That’s why Willie Le Roux is such a breath of fresh air at least when he gets the ball you know something is going to happen otherwise we would be like a lame duck going through the motions.
Also we need Brusouw back in the mix.
@BOG: I wonder what school those two went to?..Did you notice there was another player on the park…from PRG..the fullback..Willie le Roux is his name….He was Man of the Match ..because he created space and oppertunities for his fellow teamates.
@BOG: Other issue is our centre’s never run angles, which could be the result of the fly half but there is no thinking going on there.
@BOG: Agree I don’t think Goosen is finished yet either he has a lot of talent which should come through if he stays injury free.( But now he face the challenge of Pollard who has the advantage of playing for the Bulls and is already a star according to all.)
As for Serfontein not sure besides get the ball and run straight in to the man in front of you makes him man of the match there just seems to be no vision there and he did that at least 5 times when they had numbers out wide, could be that’s how he is being instructed to play, Paul Jordan has a lot more vision than that he at least runs for the gap between the two players.
@rugbyfan: Im not sure if you watched the match, but Jan Serfontein was not far off from being “man of the match” and while I did not say that he would be “twice as good” as Gerber, the best is yet to come. And the fact that Goosen has had a terrible run with injuries, it does not take away, his abilities as a player, and time will prove that.Injuries can happen. It could also happen that he recovers now and never has another
The danger in SA is players are hyped up as Junior’s a prime example is Jan Serfontein and now he lives on the past hype and SA will keep picking him for years still thinking he is the next Danie Gerber which he aint and by that time we would have missed 5 other great centre’s while we wait for him to turn into a star.
Somebody on this site said two years ago that Jan Serfontein would be twice as good as Gerber or Sonny Bill, and now oops I don’t think so just the normal Blue Bulls centre crap we get dished up charge the man and don’t pass stuff really boring. And what makes it worse is 3 years ago he had the ability to be great but that has being spoilt.
That’s why I say don’t over rate Pollard to quickly we will jinx the poor lad.
It would be stupid to say Pollard is not the real deal so far he has done everything required of him, in actual fact I think the half back pairing of him and JP Smith are the bok 9/10 of the future, was very impressed with both of them.
I would warn against saying he as good as Carter and co just yet I have seen to many wonder boys fall off there pedestal very quickly look at Goosen 18 months ago everybody on this site said he was the next great thing and now nobody even speaks of him its now Pollard.
Well done to the Baby Boks for winning this one I hope they can carry this through to the senior ranks although I doubt it always seems to be the case were this is not carried through to the senior ranks.
As for the Boks what I can say is well done Willie Le Roux and the rest well rather pathetic , what on earth is Jan Serfontein trying to do he has gone from being a excellent Junior to somebody who gets a Bok place but does not deserve it. Ye we won the game but Wales were no where, so I think our woes continue. And the Old guard still did there thing but this will not continue once we meet decent oppersition we will see what happens.
SA need to sort out a decent centre pair very quickly to counter NZ trio of Conrad Smith/Manu Nonu/Sonny Bill and ye surprise Serfontein is not the answer he has really just turned into another Wynand Olivier.
Well we can pray for a miracle.
Maybe all the experts should chip in here and give their opinions on the attributes and skill-set that is required of a modern 10. If you use phrases like “running 10” or “kicking 10” you are disqualified, if you “want to swing the ball wide”, you need to go visit Cicel Moss and reminisce about the days when the loosies did not have to stay bound and defenses worked differently. A tip for those that are unsure, go read anything by Master Mac, my Natal hero, Rod McQueen and Bob Dwyer, then work your way through the next 20+ years of Mallets, Whites, Harts and Deans’, and then carefully construct that opinion. Pollard is the real deal.
@Pedantic: Amen.
You bunch make me laugh
The subject of this post is the IRB Junior World Champs and as a local blog I guess we should all be supporting the national U20 Side here.
So, a schoolboy gets a late call up to the 2012 World Champs, plays his heart out and is instrumental in SA winning the 2012 tournament.
The same youngster gets called up in 2013 and SA finish 3rd (Ahead of New Zealand).
Believe it or not, the same guy is called up to captain the 2014 side and through the season not only leads his team to the final, beating NZ twice along the way and in the process becoming the top scorer in IRB Junior World Champ history with still a final to come.
We then come on here and see a bunch of wannabes trying to convince us that Handre Pollard is no good – what the hell are you smoking ?? I don’t care if you coached the All Blacks to their World Cup win, the stats don’t lie and your opinion is moot.
The guy clearly has talent in abundance, all the skills required, speed, size and most of all BMT. I think it maybe a bit unfair to be comparing him to Bok flyhalves at this stage but if there are any other 10’s that can boast the records above, please send them to the Sharks
@Umtata: that is fine, at least he is better than Pollard who will. That is why so many Saffa’s head overseas and excel. Rory Kockett is the latest example….
Zeilinga will never wear a bok jersey
@muzi – how did he look in the currie cup final last year…or at JWC – the joke is on you muzi…if lambie played for the bulls he would have been world class in all aspects…so typical of a bulls supporter – but I suppose its understandable that you would say Pollard is so great cause once the impeccable Steyn left you guys were in a bit of shit as far as flyhalves are concerned…now you have a possibility and whoops – he is the king of all kings…..the donkey is the current 15 in your s15 side, oh no wait – he is bok material as well….as soon as willie packs it in, or maybe willie will also end up at the bulls…but then again, willie has too much flair for the bulls….
@Muzi: How did he look when you played against him at CW 2 years in a row?
@Muzi: How has he looked when you have played against him at Currie Cup, S15 and test level?
@Speartackle:
I’ve always maintained Patricia “Shampoodle” Bambie is overrated…there’s nothing special about him…I played against him at the Michaelhouse Under 15 rugby festival he looked decent at full back…the guy is a donkey.
@Speartackle: No, Spear, please pay attention, Mr Carter was out injured as was their 2nd choice. They had to draft in a fisherman to kick the winning penalty.
But NZ win by scoring tries out wide in crunch games, not by kicking a single penalty, or so we are made to believe.
@McCulleys Workshop: You mean like we used it against Wales in the 1st half on Saturday?
@tzavosky: Yes but that is a final or massive encounter with no quarter asked or given and therefore understandable, however we would use that strategy against Portugal.
@GreenBlooded: Did you find out who the replacements were?
@tzavosky: And with Mister Dan Carter at 10
@BoishaaiPa: “Many a coach talks about playing an “expansive game” and “15 man rugby” and “spreading the ball wide”, but those same coaches quickly resort to a tight defensive game when their team are in a tough game.”
And it’s not better illustrated than the score in the 2011 RWC final, 8-7 to NZ. Not much adventurous play in that game, but a war of attrition when NZ was desperate to win the thing for a change.
@Festus February: Wa Ha Ha, people still go to Westridge Park, what to watch Percy the Wrestler? People still go to the Wheel, Nigerians? People still go to the 4 Seasons, yes, but possibly not people who would go to the Royal Grill (and yes they have had to close their famous curry bar for lack of use) and the famous Connors bar has left the Elangeni and their sushi restaurant turns 5 seats a day! and lots of people went to KP for the rugby! Not – 37,000. The fact that we pulled off a great win is fantastic. But as sports codes, clubs, hotels and all entertain facilities will tell you, competition for spectators and patronage is fierce and not a given, ask the Cape Crusaders.
My source tels me that KZN bt Pumas 27-7 in a CW warm up match in Vryheid.
@Festus February: Look Lambie is not that bad. He will be a star in club rugby and have the occassional good CC game and even though he looks a lot like the daughter of that Vet from Umhlanga, I think Moreton’s the surname, he is not of international standard.
Let’s live with it
@Grasshopper: Do you blame him for all those shortcomings? I mean he is always injured. He doesn’t play often enough to ‘try’ those skills
Jeez that was a bunch of drivel! I don’t think Lambie is our savior either, in fact I’m not a huge fan of his. He lacks pace, not a great kicker and doesn’t do that much in my eyes.
Then it’s not long before Gav CT will also come and express his Love for Lambie
The Silence of the Lambies……by Hannibal Tackle
@Speartackle:
Looks more like the Lambie Legion to me
@Far Meadows: Is that a KXN newspaper?
@BoishaaiPa:
We’re in it……..to win it
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that the comments here are morphing into those on News24 ?
@McCulleys Workshop: Oh and by the way……….I still have 3 race horses…………….Prince of Pride Jr, Rupe the Great and Scuba Diver……………look out for them………..you’ll make money…………..contact lenses will be affordable then.
@Speartackle: Exactly..you play the game that win it for you.
@BoishaaiPa: It’s all about winning obviously. Why else would there be a score board. Why else would anyone enter a competition or play for a trophy.
Winning is the only thing in life.
Who cares if we win the World Cup every time with 6 penalties? Who cares if Porcelain Pat puts someone in space every time but we lose?
If anyone tells me he doesn’t care whether we win or lose then I have a big problem. That means I’ll have to share that brain cell with Grassy and many more. I believe KXN’ers love garlic and I can’t have garlic breaths that close to me.
I’d rather have a steak, fish or even a curry breath in my face but for Pete’s sake…….no garlic
@Festus February: Thank you Festus February………………..you must change your name to Meatloaf………….You took the words right out of my mouth………..wonder if MCCulley still listens to that or is he into Eminem or Lil Wayne these days?
@Speartackle: I dont want to be a coach in the modern game. Coaches are paid to win games, not play attractive rugby and there-in lies the problem. Conservative rugby wins games in the modern era, good solid defence and least amount of mistakes is the backbone of many a gameplan. Many a coach talks about playing an “expansive game” and “15 man rugby” and “spreading the ball wide”, but those same coaches quickly resort to a tight defensive game when their team are in a tough game. That is the nature of the beast unfortunatly as there is just to much structure in the modern game. I sometimes sit and listen to the modern day players and coaches talking and I must say that it is a totally different ballgame..”Exit Strategies”, “Triangle Defence”, “Attacking Zones”….It much more complicated nowadays. Danie Gerber would have been lost I fear!
@McCulleys Workshop: And burger and chips have never been fine dining……………probably in Point Road or at The Lonsdale
@McCulleys Workshop: Nope. People still go to Westridge Park or Mitchell Park. Some people even still go The Wheel, Some people still stay at The 4 Seasons or go to the buffet at The Royal. Even The Elangeni is still popular. No my friend,
The game is still the same. Imagine if soccer scores become 9-7 or 13-1.
Take off your Porcelain Pat glasses and put in your Gerald Bosch, Naas Botha, Joel Stransky, Jannie de Beer, Pollard contact lenses if you’re so into technology.
@Speartackle: That was before TV, Internet, and loads of other entertainment, look, even horse racing was packed in those days, and people shopped at Greenacres and Stutterfords in the Main Street on a Saturday morning and went to movies at the bio scope, hamburgers and chips were fine dining . Those days are gone.
@McCulleys Workshop: Oh yes, if you’re into these 64-13 scorelines you’re in the right area. Go and watch more Glenwood games.
@McCulleys Workshop: My friend staduims were packed when scorelines were 9-6 or 15-13. Purists enjoy a hard fought battle not a T20 version of this game.
@McCulleys Workshop: and I would hazard a guess that’s is why most of us are on this blog, a great game which is great to watch at schoolboy level because as a spectacle it is in it’s purest form.
@BoishaaiPa: I’m not disagreeing with you, it is the one brain cell Speargaggle shares with a number of our national or northern coaches that is the problem. And that cell is one dimensional bash and kick, which coaches any of the mercurial brilliance out of talented players. About the best we see of any of these players post school is at this tournament and then they are F****d, when they graduate to a higher calling. Hey maybe I’m wrong and there is hope for spectators again, but we have seen years of predictable boring rugby, it’s won us some silverware, but certainly not support for the sport.
@BoishaaiPa: A coach can be a very dangerous specie………..specially if he has an afrikaans surname
@Grasshopper: When will you guys ever stop thinking everything in a black jersey is just better or superior that our own?..If they had one player who were so much more skilfull than out whole backline how come they lost twice?..We made him look good by our 9 kicking him into position the whole time!…The problem is not with our young players or their skills…it’s with out coaches coaching that skills right out of them and sticking to pre-set gameplans with no plan B. In 2012 against Engeland the Bokkies ignored the set gameplan in the second half and had to score 4 tries to make it to the semi’s..they did that by playing sublime attacking rugby and scored the 4 tries and win they needed…No thanks to the coach’s gameplan!
Esterhuizen on the right wing……..the next Ray Mordt………just twice as strong
@Muzi: I really can’t believe that there are still people who think Porcelain Pat is better than Currie Cup level.
It completely baffles the brain cell I share with Grassy
@McCulleys Workshop: Agree with you. The NZ fullback yesterday had more skill than our whole back-line put together, made us look like a bunch of meatheads!
I think some guppies supporters are pissed off Pollard is on the rise
…that’s why some of them are bashing poor Polly….they all thought Patricia Bambie….would be the first choice 10….Meyer knew Pollard since grade 10 for goodness sake it’s not rocket science he wants the lad to wear that bok jersey for a very loooooong time.
Willie du Plessis is average…..I guess Oom Tjoppa didn’t watch him against the Griquas in the Vodacom Cup final..he’s the reason the lions lost…he kept on missing easy sitters…
@Speartackle:
It’s called humble pie..I was also wrong about esterhuizen….
@Grasshopper: Sadly I think neither the bulls nor the sharks support a running style flyhalf. That is better suited to a province/FS style of rugby. Not sure which version wins more games but I know for sure that I would rather have a Larkam/Carter style flyhalf than the one dimensional stuff we have become accustomed to, certainly at National level.
@Grasshopper: He is anything but one dimensional….He actually prefers a running game..those who have seen him regularly at school level can attain to this. But if the need arises he can dictate with the boot as well. That is not one dimensional in my book. Theron had a stupid gameplan that nearly backfired on us…You play the game your coach tells you to. The Bulls actually spreads the ball wide more often than any other SA super 15 team…
@Ploegskaar: Unfortunately Serfontein already spoiled by the Bulls. Maybe JL at 10 en PLEASE Pollard at 12. But what the hell even the nursies does not listen to me anymore.
@BoishaaiPa: I am happy to be proven wrong, but whilst we have Heyneke Meyer then yes Pollard will make it. If we had an Aussie coach, no chance. My opinions are not just my own they are based on opinions of guys I know with 50 years plus experience. He is one dimensional, much like Morne Steyn but hey that works for SA kick and chase game plan. I prefer fly halves like Zeilanga who attack and run with the ball creating gaps. Good luck to the kid, he certainly is playing in the right province for his skills. I hope I’m proven wrong, like the coaches who never picked Marcel Coetzee or Kyle Cooper for KZN schools…supposed experts…
@Woltrui: Let me rephrase, I did not rate him as highly as JL Dup that year, I thought JL was the best fly in WP that year, but it is and was just a matter of opinion. I still rate JL and hope he gets an opportunity to mature as a 10 at the Sharks, although I think (once again an opinion) his future may be at 15. He is probably also behind Zeilinga and Swiel at the moment, who are both very talented. Hope we get to see Pollard at 10 with Serfontein at 12 and Esterhuizen at 13 one day soon, the latter will be devastating in the 13/14 channel.
I am not that kind of person who easily admit when I’m wrong but with Pollard and Serfontein I was completely wrong.
World class long before their time
@Grasshopper: There are people who have been playing and coaching this game far longer and at a far higher standard who dont agree with your view, but hey, what do they know!..This has nothing to do with sheep or goats, just plain simple observation. You are entitled to your opinion and others to theirs, but time will tell who was right and who was wrong.
@Festus February: never said shot put, you should read properly. Discus….but to you it’s all the same, like flyhalves…
@Woltrui: Nope do not agree. Please remember the name Willie du Plessis. See he is either on loan to the Free STate in 2015 or at the Lions S15. As big foot as Pollard.
But playing Pollard at 10 will rob us from a world class 12. Where at 10 I only see him as an excellent player.
and shot put experts
Seems we have more sheep and goats on here than I thought….
@Tjoppa: Tjop Pollard would have a bigger effect at 10 than at 12 and that is why he should be 10. Just look at the distance he get with his line kicks. I suspect there is no other flyhalf at the moment whom get the same distance. His distributing of the ball from 10 is also a big factor. The first game against the AB’s, at this tournament, he played a major role in ALL the tries from the Baby Bokkies. Man of the tournament
@boxkick: I think it is a bit over the top to say he was “spoon fed” by Province and then he turned his back on them. Because of his talent Province invited him to a practice session. Must he chose to go against what him and his parents thought were best for his rugby carreer because of that invitation to a practice session? I suppose his talent comes more from good genes, hard work and dedication-and that gives him the right to decide on his own future-than the fact that he went to a Province practice session.
I saw him once or twice and then at the JWC in 2013. Show me another schoolboy player that could play the role he did in winning that WC. A drop goal in the rain from our own 10m line in a final. Apart from his massive line kicks and setting his backline away like a pro. That showed he had BMT.
@Ploegskaar: You didn’t rate him as a schoolboy player???? Jeewiz then you’s Mountain goats has got more problems than I thought
I do agree with Tjoppa that we musn’t over play and burn him out. That said I would bring him into the Bok fold as quick as possible. Let him settle in and get comfortable with the structures.
Other members of that team whom is going to play big rugby (imo) is Janse Van Rensburg at 5, whom I know is highly rated at the Bulls, Pierre Schoeman (at no 1 and not 3 for goodness sake-hope the Bulls stopped that experiment), Kyle Brink (a machine of a player), Schikerling, Esterhuizen and the 2 Kriel Brothers.
Funny how every blogger seems to know what every other blogger knows. I could be a backline coach…..but hey ho, I’ll let them all assume…..
@ tjoppa – Couldn’t agree with you more on previous post, where I do differ from you though is when it comes to ïn it to win it” Mr Pollard and his son kept WP hanging wrt Jnr’s contract forever, they simply turned their back on the union that spoonfed that boy since under 12….and chose the big money option at the bulls…so it seems all these superkids are somewhat similar in their intentions…and as for Polly playing JWC in Matric…he was so lucky the JWC was held in Cape Town cause had it been anywhere else he would be playing age group provincial rugby…where he belongs if we want him to last and dominate 10 as a bok…and here I agree with you even more…develop him and groom him…don’t push him like he has been the past two years…the boy is gonna break down like all the other youngsters around him
@Grasshopper: Now I must make a complete u turn you now pokol about flyhalves Elton who? Only proper flyhalves in RSA at this stage is Lambie. With a good number 2 in Morne Steyn and Boshoff. That is if you need someone able and stable – lets call them then Mable. The rest of them not even close to a Springbok. Goosen overhyped but talented and unfortunately like Frans Steyn in it to win it, for themselves.
Maybe it is the Bloem weather but both a heap of talent but unfortunately injury prone and full of themselves. Not the characteristics of a legend.
@Muzi: @Grasshopper: Unfortunately I must agree with the Hopper today. I long said that Pollards best position is at 12 not 10. At Tuks last year he played 12 with little Willie at 10. What a awesome combination. They completely mesmerized the opposition.
Mr Pollard (snr) I know you are a active participant on this blog. Please your son is one of the most talented boys that came through these past few years. Do not let THEM rush his growth. A Bok he will become. And hopefully a lot sooner than later. But please let him develop first. We do not need another young talent pushed to fast and within a season or two be a nobody.
@BoishaaiPa: nope, I just don’t see the brilliance everyone is going on about, that is all. Solid and dependable is what I see, I don’t see anything Dan Carter like at all. Funny how people react to one person who does not see it….but what do I know only coached at schools and clubs in England for 10 years…
@Grasshopper: Yet you rate Human above him?..What did Human do?..Where is he playing?..At the moment Pollard is the best flyhalve in his age group. Hell, he was picked while still at school, but you probably know better than most of the coaches in SA. It has nothing do with size, fortunatly for him, Pollard is not small. Aplon and Kolbe are not flyhalves, although Klobe played 10 at u/16 level but was shifted to the back to give him more space and make way for Swiel. I think you have a dislike in Pollard for some reason and cant see past your own subjective view.
@Ploegskaar: I think at this level we should expect to beat the All Blacks, our school system unique and gives us the advantage up to 20, then the other countries catch up.
@Grasshopper: Who the next best after Morné Steyn is should not be our concern. Let’s just be grateful that we have a number of candidates to choose from. The pecking order will sort out itself. All the names mentioned have good and not so good atributes. The way the coach want to play will determine who he chooses.
@Westers: I knew you would say that, like clockwork…
@Grasshopper: I think if it wasn’t for his injury Lambie would still be 1st choice.
@bhkgpa: watch Fred Zeilanga, now there is a general. Not phased by anything and has an amazing boot. I think he won Currie Cup player of the year 2013 with the most points, if I wasn’t for his injury early season he would be the Sharks 1st choice by now….
Goosen has been unlucky with injury, he does have talent. Pollard has a very long wait to be a Bok, with Lambie, Boshoff, Zeilanga, Catrakilis and Elton still young and with far more experience. Let’s see what he does next Super season before calling him the messiah!
@Grasshopper: I first saw Pollard play at KERF in 2012. I had not seen a better flyhalf before at that festival and I have not seen one since. He has it all. I don’t think he did himself any favours by going to the Bulls as he is more of an all round flyhalf than the they require with their game plan. I don’t know how you rate Goosen. He may have talent but he cannot string many games together without injury. This makes him too unreliable.
@all re Pollard debate – my 5c for what its worth…the kid has talent and lots of it, I for one have watched him from under 12 level, having said that, he has been blown up far beyond his abilities…at school a certain tim swiel was far better than Pollard could ever dream of being…go check youtube but young swiel had one problem…size and the fact that he signed with Western Province Rugby…as for Polly, he had size and signed with the Bulls…Pollard will probably play for the Boks one day, but until then don’t forget about Lambie and Co…least of all Morne Steyn and please don’t compare Pollards kicking to that of Steyn…Polly is still so inconsistent its scary…
For a country that has always struggled to put the AB’s away in NZ, the nitpicking after we beat them twice in their own backyard is a bit rich. RE Pollard, I am the first to admit that I have not rated him in the past, but this year and at this JWC he plays like a man amongst boys. He has all the attributes, of which the most important in the modern game is the physicality to attack the gain line from any phase. Once he slots in in MS’s place in the Senior Side, the Boks will take the step up and match the AB’s.
Other players that will join him in years to come are Vermeulen, Schickerling, Esterhuizen, J Kriel, Marx and probably all those uber props in this crop. 9 is my only area of concern, but this is really a talented group. All the best for England, I will surely not have sleepless nights.
@Grasshopper: Goosen very far from real deal. A good 10 dictate games and win games that the team would have lost. Goosen has never done that but Pollard has done that many times. Goosen wants to be the soldier in the front and that is not a 10s job. A good 10 is a general that can do the basics better than anyone even on his off day. Sorry i can see you were not a match winning 10 if 10 is where you’ve played! Sorry dude, back to the drawing board for you
@Muzi: I thought you would be better than that, usually a quite level headed blogger, it’s called an opinion you don’t have to like it. He is Bulls player so I know why you like him so much, but please boet be civil…..
@Festus February: 2nd team, late developer. Again, typical SA mentality if a guy bounces someone they great. I prefer if a player goes through gaps and puts others away. Pollard is good but not spectacular, you okes seem to think he is the messiah! He is a kid get a grip. No wonder schoolboy rugby players think their shit doesn’t stink, bloggers putting them on pedastools. I have been following schoolboy rugby for sometime now, Goosen is the real deal but injury prone. Pollard still needs to do more to warrant a Bok call up.
@Grasshopper: but what team did you play for at school not that it means you know something or nothing and also you liked shot put more back then maybe you know if john van reenen was good or bad did you see how pollard bumped that overrated winger and the number 8
Baby Boks win twice against NZ…yet people are bitching
@Grasshopper:
…..Handre Pollard is the real deal…. 
good riddance you talk sooo much rubbish…
you a real ****
@Festus February: yes boet. My career was cut short by a very serious injury, called a Le fort 2, 3 & 4 fracture, very similar to Uli Schmidts injury. Go and google it. Anyway, it’s a free world and I don’t like Pollard. He certainly is no Dan Carter or Johnny Wilkinson…..
@Grasshopper: i can see your career ended at under 19 level sir and you mentioned one day long ago that you played in your b team in 1995/6 and a few days ago you were more into shot put or some other prop item so about flyhalves you not know enough to make silly statements also i am worried about who you coaching do they still exist
@beet: where is Bothma?
@Festus February: yes boet, having played provincial under 19 level and coached for 10 years I obviously know nothing. Pollard is overrated but many of our fly halves are….
What I find weird is that SA has always been a country rich in loose forward talent. In years gone by the no.8 possie was generally occupied by the best loosie in any SBR team. Now for a second year running Dawie is struggling to find depth at no.8. Aidon Davis has started every game. He’s good at the tight-loose stuff but not that mobile and during this game his highball catching left a lot to be desired.
Lots of people rave about the New Zealand no.11 but their fullback is a class act as well – Damian McKenzie – it might be a name we hear a lot more of in the years to come.
@McCulleys Workshop: Without offering an opinion on whether they deserve to be there or not, #9 and #10 mainly. Look, we did get a try from one of the box picks, lucky tap down, but I felt we looked better with ball in hand.
Thought Sergeal was exposed in defense, but we kept giving them the ball to run back at us, so they always had space to run into.
@vatikaki: yes sir but i mean in one tournament and in auckland
@Festus February:
That’s 4 times in a row we’ve beaten them now.
@Grasshopper: your knowledge regarding flyhalves is very limited zielinga en boshoff maybe average currie cup players but pollard in different class in fact world class its like comparing a grasshopper with a venus fly trap
cant believe ref asked tmo for recommendation when he had actually already decided there was nothing wrong with estruizen tackle after that german suplex the all black 10 was out of the game good composure by baby boks pollard a general will be sa captain for 100 tests peterson and gelant made some terrible mistakes but also saved 2 tries estruizen will be sa next right wing strong fast and big left boot jomah lonah with white skin england will be tough but if we improve first time tackling no reason why this team cant be the best under 20 team sa ever had i dont think baby blacks have ever lost twice in a row to any team well done bokkies but dont go for loop throw in ever again in own 22 secure it in front and speed up play like western province
@Grasshopper:
Boshoff at this stage DEFINITELY. The guy has been playing senior rugby for a number of years. He’s got experience on his side. He’s used to playing with players who are well conditioned. He’s a senior!
Zeilinga? You must be mad.
Pollard does a lot of good on the field. Would you prefer he take on the entire team by himself? The guy runs well when he has to. He kicks well when he’s asked to. He spreads the ball well. He is physical in the tackle. I really don’t understand what more you expect from him. But I suspect you’ve been talking about him being overrated for so long that you’re now refusing to admit you were wrong.
Jeez, these Paarl okes are like sheep, Pollard has been hyped up. Actually watch what he does, not much to be honest. Anyway, we all have our own opinions. For me a fit Boshoff or Zeilanga are far better…
@Grasshopper: nothing just as quick as always. A MUST PLAY vs England
@vatikaki: agree and captain most of it as well. He is a natural and knows how to play under pressure. Brilliant player.
@Woltrui:
Captain I can’t agree with.
The choice of JdV came down to a lack of other options, but I can’t help but think it’s always better to have your captain in the forwards.
If I had to pick a young guy to be the future Springbok captain, I’d go with Arno Botha.
@Grasshopper: i rather win the game with a boring Pollard than losing with the other flyhalves you named. Pollards knows how to win big matches and are brilliant under pressure. One of the 3 best 10 s in SA
@McCulleys Workshop: @Grasshopper:
So what you guys are saying is you have absolutely no idea and that it doesn’t matter how well Pollard plays, you won’t support him for some reason that doesn’t involve his performance on the field.
The guy is sensational. If he plays the way he has so far in the final, and we win, then there is absolutely no reason he shouldn’t be the World U20 Player of the Year.
He can play a 100 tests for the Springboks.
The way we played(kicking) was Mr Theron’s baby. Dont hold that againt Handre. Mr Pollard is the next Springbok flyhalf and on the longer term, captain. The way he brought the team together when the AB’s scored a try with 10m left were amazing. Tough game awaits againt the Poms. They’ve got an exceptional team.
@Grasshopper: I agree with your Pollard view, never quite got the movie, even when at school. I like Goosen, would like to see him fit for a full a season though. Great acceleration and pace as well as a big boot.
@beet: De Beer got the call when Marx was injured, but still not training post his injury. Would have liked to see him play in that side.
@Grasshopper: Haven’t seen Aplon miss many tacles in the past… Kolbe not around long enough yet.
@beet: Marx should move back to flank again anyway…
@BoishaaiPa: you Stormers okes love Aplon & Kolbe when they score but hate them if they miss a tackle of get bounced….funny lot down here in the Cape. You want flawless players….Human made defences look stupid all of 2013. He must have scored 20 plus tries in the season and set up more……fixation with size again.
@Grasshopper: I actually think hooker Corniel Els has played well and in terms of lineout work he may have gotten the nod ahead of a fit Marx anyway.
Sorry typo, Boshoff…
@BoishaaiPa: the air in Paarl is doing funny things to you okes, Pollard is as exciting as watching paint dry! I would take Bishoff, Zeilanga, Lambie & Catrakilis ahead of Pollard….any day. On the other hand Schinkerling is immense, certain Bok in the next 10 years!
I honestly don’t see what others do in Pollard, sorry Gim bloggers I just don’t. Imagine our pack with Marx in it. They need to play Duhan on the wing ASAP. Although he has bulked up massively since school has he lost any pace?
@McCulleys Workshop: Mainly the scrummy JP Smith but all part of the gameplan.
@Grasshopper: Whatever you are smoking Grassy..I want some as well..Human?…Pollard is in a class of his own…He will be playing for the senior Boks EOYT. You wont be seeing much of Human in the feature at 15 level. No defence, no kicking ability..Kind of important for a 10 at this level.
@Gungets Tuft:I missed the game, who was kicking the ball away, our latest by popular vote world bearing flyhalf?
Sjoe!
Goed gedoen Bokkies!
Nou vir die Engelse.
@beet: Yes Beet IMO Greeff should definitely be replaced
We got out of jail there, England will match us up front. I don’t agree on Human, look at Aplon and Kolbe both 75kg max. Human was about 67kg at school level, could beef up a little. He is one player who could outstep Quade Cooper!
@bhkgpa: Lloyd Greeff was very poor. Apart from being a poor tackler he just does not read the game well and his co-ords are questionable
@Grasshopper: Dewald Human still u19 but I will be surprised to see him at this level. He is tiny and not known for having any sort of defence (particularly tackle but also kick). I don’t think he would stand up to the physicality of JWC rugby.
Our tactics and execution was poor at times but fortune favoured us with tries for Pollard and Petersen coming out of nothing. Even the setup of the winning try caused by a fumble and Esterhuizen toe ahead to force a pressure scrum 5m
Sjoe that was a tense game to watch. Well done the Baby Boks
Why oh why are we kicking the ball away. Surely 1/2 time brought some sane talk?
Another question, why isn’t Dewald Human playing, he has more running skill in his pinky than Pollard has in his whole body. Human is the only player that could counter the skill of the NZ fullback……he maybe small but that doesn’t matter at flyhalf…
Yellow for Esterhuizen was ridiculous, no chance a yellow. This is rugby a physical game with hard tackles. Why we kicking so much it’s mind boggling. We need to keep possession and use our dominant forwards to rumble it up, SA style…..giving their backs a chance to counter is plain stupid!!! Dawie, Dawie, Dawie……maybe your last act as the coach…
Our best wing is Duhan vd Merwe and he is not even on the bench. Why the hell do we pick Greeff in his place. He is really not performing at this level.
We are looking like school kids against a super 15 team. You need the ball to play this game and if you do not have the ball then you must be able to tackle and that we dont do!!
42 – 15 Final score. Beet – at least the Irish won the 2nd half
@BuffelsCM: It’s crazy that this is just the halftime score with Ireland not looking likely to improve on it.
HT England 34 Ireland 3
The more I see Handre Pollard, the more excited I am at having both him and Johan Goosen as options in the 10 jersey for the Springboks.
Pollard possibly even as the starting option considering he’s playing in South Africa, with Goosen coming off the bench. You could bring Goosen on at either 10 or 15 (where he’ll probably end up playing for Racing Metro considering Sexton is also there), shifting Pollard to 12 later in the game if you wanted to go that route even.
@Festus February:
Don’t agree, but I suppose we’ll see.
I’m still laughing at how many people have up until now been saying Handre Pollard doesn’t belong and that he’s so overrated. Funny considering he’s probably been the best 10 we’ve had at this level, and looks the complete player outside of not being a sure thing with his goal-kicking.
Hickey gets criticized but he’s not playing Super Rugby for no reason. They’ll miss his experience.
@vatikaki: but that number 10 that came on against skotland i think is much better as hickey i wuld have preferred hickey against us
@Festus February:
I think as long as we contain Tevita Li it shouldn’t make a difference.
They’ve lost Simon Hickey (their captain). Their forward pack is almost exactly the same and they couldn’t do anything against us last time.
Without Tevita Li they’d have gotten a proper hiding. So close him down, play physical rugby, get good chases going on those box-kicks and we should have it won.
Wet weather would definitely suit us and our kicking game.
@vatikaki: you have a strong name there mister i am worried about this game the all blacks will come at us with everything and more and i hope we dont make same mistake as senior team and rest on our laurels i hear the weather is not nice there expecting cold and rain and do you think it will soot our game
Two changes to the side that started the pool game against the Baby Blacks.
15 Warrick Gelant
14 Lloyd Greeff
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Andre Esterhuizen (in for Dan Kriel)
11 Sergeal Petersen
10 Handre Pollard
9 JP Smith
8 Aidon Davis
7 Cyle Brink
6 Jacques Vermeulen (in for Jean-Luc du Preez)
5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg
4 JD Schickerling
3 Dayan van der Westhuizen
2 Corniel Els
1 Thomas du Toit
16 Joseph Dweba
17 Pierre Schoeman
18 Wilco Louw
19 Abongile Nonkontwana
20 Victor Sekekete
21 Zee Mkhabela
22 Jean-Luc du Plessis
23 Dan Kriel
@pongola: Isso, maar jy sal nooit ‘n perfekte sisteem hê nie – die kwarteinde word met ‘n 4-groep sisteem eintlik dan ‘n verlengde groepfase, maar twee van die potensieel sterkste spanne (SA en NZ) kom nie twee keer teen mekaar te staan om dit uit te baklei vir ‘n plek in die finaal nie.
As ‘n mens aanneem dat in ‘n 4-groep sisteem Wenner GrA teen N-wenner Gr D speel, Wenner GrB teen N-wenner Gr C speel en so aan, het jy ‘n potensiële 1/4 finale: Eng vs Fr, Wall vs Skot/Arg, SA vs Aus, NZ vs Ier.
Dit lyk klaar beter vir my. Kyk, dis maar soos die WB, waar daar eintlik net 5 spanne is wat hom kan wen, met Fr die enigste wat dit nog nie kon regkry nie, en een groep altyd die sg “pool of death” is, waar twee van daai 5 in dieselfde groep is.
Ek het nou die Bokkies vs Samoa gekyk. Lanlaas so ‘n klomp bokse gehoor kommentaar lewer soos die Kiwi kommentators.
volgens hulle seeds vir die jaar sou 4 groepe so gelyk het
a b c d
england wales rsa new zealand
italy fiji scotland samoa
ireland australia argentina france
gaan dan vir ons baie makliker gewees het as die ander lande en om scotland of argentinia deur te vat kwart eind toe is weer ‘n free ride vir wie ookal hulle moet speel. daar kort ‘n agste span saam die grotes dan sal dit goed werk.
@pongola: Nie so seker of jy reg is nie. Verlede jaar se no3 en no4 is hierdie jaar in dieselfde groep – SA en NZ. Engeland en Wallis was in die finaal, as ek reg onthou.
Ek kan nie meer die verdere volgorde onthou nie, maar 4 groepe sou dan Eng, Wallis, SA en NZ hê, met Frankr, Ierl, Aus en sê maar Arg volgende, dan Skotl, Italië, Samoa en Fidji. Dit lyk heel gebalanseerd vir my.
Die 6-nasie spanne het ook ‘n bietjie van ‘n voordeel in die sin dat hulle ‘n gelyklopende kompetisie vir hulle o.20 spanne het. Dis dalk nie ‘n sleg idee om ‘n o.19 kompetisie vir SA, Aus, NZ en Arg te hê saam met die Championship nie – o.19 vanweë die verskil in seisoene en dit die suidelike halfrond se groep is waaruit die o.20’s van die Junior Wêreldbeker hoofsaaklik sal kom.
Geluk met jou 100% korrekte voorspelling verlede week!
darem weet ons ons kan new zealand wen. as hulle dit vier groepe gaan maak gaan daar altyd ‘n groep wees met ‘n goeie span en 2 kakkes.
as jy wil world cup wen moet net nie verloor nie maklik soos dit.
@Andre T: Nee, ek het nou al genoeg hoedjies, ek soek my harlekynpakkie terug!
@tzavosky: Dok, wil jy nie vir my n voorskrif stuur vir Myprodols nie asb?
Ek het die moeder van alle hoofpyne van al die strontpraat vandag.
@tzavosky: Kry vir jou nog n hoedjie vir daai voorstel
Verstaan nie die IRB nie – hoekom aanhou met 3 groepe van 4 spanne elk? Hoekom nie 4 groepe met 3 spanne elk – 2 groepwedstryde, kwarteindstryde vir wenners en naaswenners van elke groep, semi’s en finaal nie. Lg gee ook 5 toernooiwedstryde per span.
@BuiteBreek: Ja blikskottel….daai Franse het gechoke
@Andre T: Ek stem, maar sou dit nie lekker gewees het as die hosts, glad nie eers daar was nie?
@Muzi: In my humble opinion JLD is very lucky to be in squad-if he was kosie dippenaar-he would not have made it.I watched him in the warm up matches against the argies-he was extremely average-he missed kicks almost in front of the posts-he did play better when he came on as replacement but that said…he is a very lucky his surname is not Dippenaar
Ek dink ek speel eerder die ‘host nation’ in die semi’s as in n finaal. Emosie en die tuisvoordeel kan moeiliker teenstanders in n finaal wees.
@BoishaaiPa: ‘n Moerse een. Hulle kon net sowel die toernooi die IPL van rugby genoem het.
@BuiteBreek: Ek ruik n rot…Daai Pommies was weer slim en het die Argies net-net gewen sonder n bonuspunt…Waar kom jy nou daaraan dat n span wat teen Italie verloor amper vir Eng wen?…Engelse WOU nie 1ste kom nie, want die kans om teen NZ te speel was te groot!..Ek hoop Ierland skop hulle gatte in die semi’s!
NZ it will be in the Semies!!
Tipies die Franse. Die een dag wat hulle moet pitch, speel hulle sokker.
Shit, England win by 1 point against Argentina and SA will play either NZ (if they win by 5 points and gets a bonus point) or Australia. England will play Ireland in the semies.
Okay, if we don’t get a bonus point and England also win, they might be playing NZ
Wales just opened the door for NZ to get back into the tournament. If the baby boks win against Samoa and NZ gets a bonus point against Scotland, SA will need to play NZ again!!
You may find the the stats (see below) produced by bloggers on another forum interesting. They are lists of u20 RWC players from NZ, SA, England and Wales that progressed on to their national teams later. It’s interesting to note that SA has by far the lowest conversion rate.
New Zealand:
2008 – 4 ABs: Sam Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Ryan Crotty, Aaron Smith. Also, Mike Harris (AUS), Sean Maitland (SCO), Rodney Ah You (IRE), Grayson Hart (SCO)
2009 – 3 ABs: Aaron Cruden, Zac Guildford, Tom Taylor. Also, Ken Pisi (SAMOA)
2010 – 3 ABs: Luke Whitelock, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Julien Savea
2011 – 9 ABs: Steven Luatua, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Luke Whitelock, TJ Perenara, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Beauden Barrett, Dominic Bird
2012 – 0 ABs.
2013 – 1 AB: Patrick Tuipulotu
South Africa:
2008 – 1 Bok: Francois Hougaard
2009 – 1 Bok: Coenie Oosthuizen.
2010 – 4 Boks: Elton Jantjies, Siya Kolisi, Pat Lambie, Jaco Taute
2011 – 3 Boks: Eben Etzebeth, Johan Goosen, Arno Botha
2012 – 2 Boks: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jan Serfontein
2013 – 0 Boks
England:
2008 – 4 Poms: Alex Corbisiero, Joe Simpson, Alex Goode, Jordan Turner-Hall and a further 5 who’ve played for England B team.
2009 – 3 Poms: Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes, Charlie Sharples and a further 7 who’ve played for England B team.
2010 – 3 Poms: Joe Marler, Freddie Burns, Jonny May and a further 4 who’ve played for England B team.
2011 – 8 Poms: Mako Vunipola, Henry Thomas, Joe Launchbury, Matt Kvesic, George Ford, Owen Farrell, Christian Wade, Jonathan Joseph and and a further 4 who’ve played for England B team.
2012 – 2 Poms: Billy Vunipola, Marland Yarde. Also, Tom Heathcote (SCOTLAND) and a further 4 who’ve played for England B team.
2013 – 1 Pom: Jack Nowell and a further 6 who’ve played for England B team.
Wales:
2008 – 9 Dragons: Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Jon Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Ryan Bevington, Scott Andrews, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Josh Turnball
2009 – 0 Dragons:
2010 – 2 Dragons: Toby Faletau, Scott Williams
2011 – 2 Dragons: Liam Williams, Rhodri Jones
2012 – 5 Dragons: Dan Baker, Samson Lee, Harry Robinson, Tom Prydie, Matthew Morgan
2013 – 5 Dragons: Rhodri Williams, Rhys Patchell, Cory Allen, Jordan Williams, Hallam Amos
@Andre T:
SA is already through to the semi-finals because NZ can’t catch them. As such, the last game v Samoa is meaningless, so SA may as well play all their reserves.
In fact, it’s not in SA’s best interest to beat Samoa by a large margin, get a bonus point and become the top ranked team because 1 plays 4 and there is a chance that NZ will come 4th. I’d rather SA plays France or Ireland than NZ again at home.
And in other news…………..
I do believe it’s his second offence.
http://www.thescore.ie/chiliboy-ralepelle-anabolic-steroids-1506983-Jun2014/
How does it work?
If we beat Western Samoa tomorrow…….who do we play?
I wonder if they pick a team from Eastern, Northern and Southern Samoa, how good will they be?
Hope JL is ok after that knock. Looked sickening. Speedy recovery JeanLuc.
Arno van Wyk was brought over to New Zealand to replace Malcolm Marx.
@Vatikaki: Not saying Pollard should play, but make him part of the squad as soon as possible. He may become a Springbok captain. They earlier het gets familiar with the Springbok culture, the quicker he can learn and become a better player.
@vatikaki: Agree with you on Greef. Your team above look good. I will most probably go with Pierre Schoeman at 1 and maybe bring Nonkontwane in if we play the English. Their pack is big and physical-would most probably match us upfront. Pierre is also a strong scrummer but his game around the ruck, on defence and offence is maybe just that bit better than Thomas Du Toit’s. Thomas dropped a couple of balls on attack which he would not be happy with.
@Roger:
Ah you’re right.
Wonder who got called up in his place.
@Vleis: Marx has gone home hasnt he – out for four weeks
@Woltrui:
I wasn’t too bothered by his missed tackles on Li. The guy is an excellent winger, and like you say, Greeff will have learnt from it.
Rather it was him not contesting high-balls when he’d been chasing kicks.
I don’t see the point in running after an up-and-under, only to run past the opposition player receiving the ball in the hope that he loses control and it falls into your hands.
Makes much more sense to either contest the ball (which Sergeal was doing despite being half his size), or to make a ball-and-all tackle.
@vatikaki: In fairness to Greeff. There is not a lot of U/20 wings who will stop Tevita Li
Greeff would have learned a lot today.
@Muzi:
JP Smith looked bad for about 5 minutes but after that played quite well. Whole lot better then Mkhabela.
Sekekete surprisingly good I thought. Made a couple good offloads, covered his perimeters nicely on defense, did good line-out work. He’ll be a useful player off the bench for the rest of the tournament seeing as JL du Preez must surely be going home.
Our strongest line-up for the rest of the tournament?
1 Thomas du Toit 2 Malcolm Marx 3 Dayan vd Westhuizen (how wrong was I about him!) 4 JD Schickerling 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg 6 Jacques Vermeulen 7 Cyle Brink 8 Aidon Davis 9 JP Smith 10 Handre Pollard 11 Lloyd Greeff 12 Andre Esterhuizen 13 Jesse Kriel 14 Sergeal Petersen 15 Warrick Gelant
16 Corniel Els 17 Pierre Schoeman 18 Wilco Louw 19 Abongile Nonkontwana 20 Victor Sekekete 21 Zee Mkhabela 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis 23 Daniel Kriel
Thomas de Toit will definitely play currie cup rugby this year….he’s a machine.
@vatikaki:
Duhan van der Merwe is a better prospect IMHO…more physical…higher work rate and better on defence…the lad likes to gets involved..Greef shy’s away from the rough stuff.
Greef has a long way to go though he may be a great finisher but in terms of high work rate and defence?!? lad’s non-existent
highly questionable…he can only improve though.
Lloyd Greeff wasn’t nearly as good as he was against Scotland. Actually very disappointing I thought.
Chased high kicks, but rather then contesting them in the air, he’d run past the opposition catcher and hope the guy knocked it back. Was terrible. Such a big guy should get up in the air and try regather/knock the ball back to one of his players. Or else wait for the player to come down and then tackle him. Don’t give him clean ball!
Also missed a bunch of tackles on Tevita Li.
Handre is flourishing….he has improved a lot since last year….he’s not yet the finished article though he will continue to make mistakes…it’s about learning…. boy oh boy he has tremendous potential to be a world class player in that 10 position.
Pollard is much more physical than Goosen the lad isn’t afraid to get stuck in even with the forwards…the best part about his game is reading, breaking and putting players into space…well played cappie.
@Vleis:
Can’t imagine the injury to Marx is too serious or else they’d have sent him home.
Might be a good idea to give Dweba a run against Samoa anyway.
@Woltrui:
I really wish Goosen had gone to Toulon. To a winning team and potentially working with Jonny Wilkinson would have done him wonders. Not so sure what will happen at Racing Metro.
He’s got everything to be the very best though. People are wanting to cast him aside WAAAAYYY too early. I mean come on, the guy is 21!
We’re producing the players to take the All Blacks spot as the most consistent performers in international rugby. Just need the coaches who are willing to tweak the game-plan and need to look after the players.
More I watch Sergeal Petersen, the more I like him. Even if he did used to support the AB’s. I’m forgiving him slowly.
Any news on the injuries of Corniel Els and Malcolm Marx? Two hookers down.
@vatikaki: What a nice position to be in. Having 4 top quality flyhalfs, 3 of those 4 still youngsters, in rugby terms. Just hope Goosen get a prolonged period where he is injury free so he can regain his confidence.
There aren’t many games before next years Rugby World Cup. Now is not the time to invest in a new flyhalf.
I say stick with Johan Goosen & Morne Steyn, and then have Pollard come in after the World Cup.
In Pollard & Goosen we will have two brilliant flyhalves. I’m a massive fan of Goosen (he’s got all the tools to be the best in the world), but Pollard looks like he could be just as good. Just think Goosen can do more with the boot, while Pollard, at this stage, is better in general play.
Why the heck wouldn’t you want them pushing each other for the starting jersey every week once the World Cup ends?!?!
But reality is we’re going to the World Cup with Steyn & Goosen, and Lambie as utility.
What a wonderful win by the Baby Bokkies. Satisfaction Satisfaction! Haven’t enjoyed a game against the All Blacks like this one in years!! Totally dominated the AB’s. Scoreline flatter them. A fourteen point swing in the last two minutes. Score should have been 40-17.
Players who had a big game imo were Handre, Nicolaas Jv Rensburg, Aidon Davids and the front – and reserve front row.
@Djou: Agree. Pollard must become part of the Senior Bok squad as soon as possible. Give him a chance to settle before the world cup.
@GreenBlooded: they said his eyes were open and he was talking but were taking him to hospital for scans – was a nasty blow on the temple and there is no ways he will be playinG in this tournament again.
@GreenBlooded: I think so – he was out for a while apparently. He went into the tackle with his head on the wrong side of the ball carrier’s knee !!
at the risk of been presumptious – it looks like a Bokkie-Eng final. England look very good
Bye Bye Johan Goosen, welcome Handre Pollard!
Goosen will soon trade a Springbok jersey for money in France (who can blame him as he is still very young and can return a rich man in three years time), but fortunately Handre Pollard is waiting in the wings.
Pollard should become part of the Springbok squad as soon as possible.
Congrats to the boys!
The host’s chances of going to the play-off looks very slim.
Looks like either France or Ireland will be the best second place.
Nice lads!! Is the injury to Du Preez serious?
33-24 Full Time – MMMM!! Some okes looking All Bleak in the land of the long white cloud
Final score 33 – 24
Oh my word – Corniel Els injured as well !!
Let’s hope Vermeulen will be able to play quite soon. I can’t see that JL du Preez will be able to play in the tournament after that knock to the head. I guess he’ll have to be replaced.
As Roger has pointed out Greef will have to improve his tackling.
Yellow card to no 4 of Baby Blacks for collapsing. Bonus point try in corner by Gelant. 33 – 17 after 72 minutes
New Zealand out of the tournament ALMOST surely.
Warrick Gelant goes over in the corner to make it 33 to 17 with only 8 to go.
So very happy!!!
OVER Pollard – 33-17
Kiwi yellow card – TRY Gelant in the corner 31-17
Still 26 – 17 after 68 minutes
Thomas Du Toit must learn to catch and Lloyd Greef must learn to tackle – 26-17 after 65 min
Baby Bok6 26-17 with 20 minutes to play – C’mon Boytjies!!!!
26 – 17 to the Baby Boks after 58 minutes
Baby Boks 21-17 with 27 minutes to play!
@Redblack White: Thank you!
NZ up 17-14 at half time
Sal jy asb laat weet wat toe gebeur het?
Very nervous! Come on Baby Boks!!
Whichever side loses will need 1 bonus point to have a chance of likely still advancing to the semi-finals. 2 bonus points for the losing side will mean the losing side will still advance to the semi’s.
Wie ook al speel, JUST DO IT!
Sal ook lekke wees om game aan iemand soos Joost en Tinus Linee op te dre deur toernooi
I’m updated the starting team for New Zealand. Kickoff at 9:35 on Friday
@vatikaki: wanneer het jy hom sien vaskop speel…….seker toe hy 0/16 was…………nee ou……..hy speel loskop en sal seker kan uithelp daar…as die nood druk…op hierdie vlak al moet jy spesialiseer en kyk maar die manne wat so rondval tussen loskop en vaskop,hoe hulle sukkel…..Wilco het gesukkel…..ek glo ons span gaan goed doen!
@greybearded: Is jou baard Amla styl geshape?
@greybearded: Lol……..nee……Danie het n Andre T styl gehad.
Ek het hom nou nog.
@Andre T: Het jy nie ‘n Danie Gerber middelpaadjie haarstyl in die tagtigs gehad nie ?
@RBugger: Im not sure where he played in his younger days, but centre? I can somehow understand if they try and convert a biggish centre into a LF, ala Pierre Spies, but vice versa? Not sure that its in his best interests. And its not as if he is a midget either.One would expect this sort of thing at the Bulls. And as a matter of interest, the Venezuelan mountain bat can reach an age of 9 yrs
@boerboel:
Rather without a fetcher then have Mabuza in there IMO! The guy is TINY!
Wouldn’t want to give up the physicality of Andre Esterhuizen, or else Rohan Janse van Rensburg in the midfield. We’ll need them against the Baby Blacks & Jackson Garden-Bachop.
The nr 9 was shocking,we play without a fetcher and i agree the tighhead looked weak.I would look at playing Galant at centre-good feet and hands.
hahahahah – BOG was a huge advocate of his last year, he was the Grey Flank and Captain – a great player actually, but it seems SIZE after school is making its mark on another great player
@RBugger: Rather ask Bog his opinion on the price of Brent Crude or the life expectancy of the Venezuelan Mountain Bat. He wouldn’t even know who this M Louw is.
@Bog: I hear M Louw is now playing centre Bog – what are your thoughts on that? I am not so sure they should do that, leave him at flank, that is where he is best – IMO
All in all, I thought it was a pretty solid start to the tournament, just what is needed before the big one on Friday.
I thought the big 7 was again very strong and would start JL alongside him for the Blacks game, which will be much more physical. Would also like Davis to be a bit more involved in the loose, but I am sure he will pick it up against the Big Boys in Friday.
Pollard ran the backline nicely and showed that he is more than capable of playing an aggresive 12 role if needed.
As with previous teams listed here, there wont be too many of this team around in 5 years from now. And then of course the usual question and speculation- What has happened to this or that player? Followed by the usual conclusion: They should never have been in the team in the first place!
@Muzi:
Scrummaging wasn’t great… so I don’t understand why we’d want to retain Wilco when Thomas du Toit can probably do the same job at scrum-time (or perhaps better?), and be very dominant in the loose.
Schoeman and du Toit look like two excellent props. We’re really producing them at the moment, with young props like Marcel vd Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Frans Malherbe & Oliver Kebble also playing fantastic rugby. I can’t think of any props in Australasia that can match those 4 for strength of ball-carrying.
That being said I only know of Thomas playing tighthead a handful of times at school.
Handre Pollard made those scotsman look silly at times
they couldn’t handle him near the gain line…..he has grown compared to last year.
Andre Esterhuizen needs to add some variation to his game..he’s a massive lad though…I thought the tank rohan looked good he’s got great distribution skills.
@vatikaki:
Wilco wasn’t at his best chill bro it’s only the first game why sack him?!?! he’s still the best tight head in that squad Dawie will keep faith in him.
@BuffelsCM:
Oh okay I thought he could play tighthead.
Louw didn’t look good at all, and by the look of Dayan vd Westhuizen, I’d much prefer another strong ball-carrier in Thomas du Toit.
@vatikaki: No, Thomas Du Toit is a loosehead;
I missed a bit of the game but the first lost lineout was a lob ball which was thrown too short – therefore the lost lineout: not the fault of the jumper
Marx threw at least 2 balls over the top at the back of the lineout – not the fault of the jumper either. I haven’t seen all the lineouts but those three were mistakes made by the hooker.
I agree that JP Smith has to start ! Today’s 9 made too many basic errors IMO
@Andre T:
Well then hopefully they’re not thinking about it!
Me on the other hand… I’m hoping for 2 ways into the semi’s.
Feeling reasonably confident though if Dawie gets things right.
@vatikaki: Winners don’t think of losing………..
@Andre T:
Sorry I meant Sergeal haha. He also had an excellent game. Looked a more complete and physical player then he did last year for the Kings I thought.
Watching the England vs Italy game, and hoping that Italy don’t let the game open up and allow England to score plenty.
If we don’t beat New Zealand on Friday we need Italy to be competitive in order to get to the semi-finals. 50+ losses for them would end it for us.
@vatikaki: Didn’t know Greeff plays left and right at the same time.
@vatikaki:
Might even be a bit harsh on Daniel Kriel, I don’t know… But Warrick Gelant was excellent I thought.
@Oakdale supporter:
Thought most of the team played alright.
Zee Mkhabela HAS to go. His ball control was terrible, and while his passing was to hand, his wind-up was terrible. Let’s not even start on his box kicking which was embarrassing. If Dawie starts him on Friday, I won’t even bother watching.
The line-outs were a mess. We’d have put another 4 tries on them if we could’ve secured better line-out ball. Wasn’t just Marx, but also the jumpers.
What worries me is that players like JD Schickerling, Thomas du Toit & JP Smith were brought on when the game was already over, and they weren’t given any time to build up some momentum. I’m worried about whether they’ll be in the right state to start against New Zealand now. They should’ve all been brought on at half-time.
Hopefully Andre’s jaw isn’t too bad. If it is, or he has concussion, then Rohan needs to start against New Zealand.
My preferred line-up for NZ…
1 Pierre Schoeman 2 Malcolm Marx 3 Thomas du Toit (he can play here right?) 4 Abongile Nonkontwana 5 JD Schickerling 6 Jacques Vermeulen 7 Cyle Brink 8 Aidon Davis 9 JP Smith 10 Handre Pollard 11 Lloyd Greeff 12 Andre Esterhuizen 13 Jesse Kriel 14 Lloyd Greeff 15 Warrick Gelant
@Andre T: I think Esterhuizen is okay. If I’m not wrong they showed him sitting with the reserves alongside the field after he went of.
@Andre T: Agree. Only Marxs has got a proper Boertjie hairstyle. If he can just sharpen up his line out work we’ll be A O K 8)
What is the story with these new Laurel & Hardy hairstyles?
FFS imagine Louis Moolman or Frik du Preez running around with these pansy looking haircuts…….no boys……..PLAY THE GAME………..leave the catwalks to the Capies.
@Oakdale supporter: I saw the Marx try and then had to go and milk the cows.
So you say they looked better. Any news on Esterhuizen’s broken jaw?
@Andre T: Andre, they were better in the second half, scoring 7 more tries. I think in the first half the tournament pressure were on them a bit. Great game for Pollard at 10 and Vermeulen at 6.
Only watched the first half cause some people work for a living.
Looked very mediocre against a side that couldn’t even beat Italy u/20 after 2 months of intensive training and 3 games against Argentina that got blown away by the Aussies.
Any SA team without a Grey or a Monna will struggle to compete against strong opposition………that’s just the way it is………and will always be.
Live with it
Lloyd Greeff going to go far. Has had a very good opening 20 minutes
Zee Mkhabela so far out of his depth it’s not even funny. I pray that JP Smith doesn’t get injured in a big game.
The u21 final 2005
2005 Argentina
Final: South Africa 20-15 Australia (Mendoza)
South Africa: 1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 3 Sangoni Mxoli, 4 Nikolai Blignaut, 5 Cliff Milton, 6 Derick Kuun, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 8 Pieter Louw; 9 Paul Delport (C), 10 Morne Steyn; 11 Marius Delport, 12 Thabang Molefe, 13 Earl Rose, 14 Cedric Mkhize; 15 Hendrik Daniller
Reps: Adriaan Strauss, Harry Vermaas, Gerhard Mostert, Davon Raubenheimer, Ruan Pienaar, Mzwandile Stick, Ronnie Cooke
Australia: 1 Benn Robinson, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3 Alex Walker, 4 Dean Mumm, 5 Richard Stanford, 6 Ben Mowen (C), 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Leroy Houston; 9 Nic Berry, 10 Daniel Halangahu; 11 Digby Ioane, 12 Lloyd Johansson, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Henari Veratau; 15 Cameron Shepherd
Reps: 16 Geoff Abram, Ben Alexander, Pat O’Connor, Shane Udy, Dominic Fuller, Scott Daruda, Ben Batger
The u19 final 2005
2005 South Africa
Final: South Africa 20-15 New Zealand
South Africa: 1 Jakobus van Rensburg, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 3 Johan Strauss, 4 Alistair Hargreaves (C), 5 Joe Snyman, 6 Conrad Strauss, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 8 Pieter Myburgh; 9 Warren Malgas, 10 Jody Rose; 11 Randell April, 12 Francois Steyn, 13 Petrus Vermeulen, 14 Luvuyo Mhlobiso; 15 Shandre Frolick
Reps: Deon Fourie, Zander de Kock, Jan Volschenk, Hendrik van Niekerk, Francois Uys, Marlon Lewis, Ricardo Croy, Jowayne van Wyk, Jacobus Swanepoel, Andisa Nkumi, Jerome Williams
New Zealand: 1 Justin Davies, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Scott Murphy, 4 Nick Crosswell, 5 Joshua Bekhuis, 6 George Whitelock (C), 7 Vern Kamo, 8 Falfili Levave; 9 Baydon Phillips, 10 Steve Alfeld; 11 Lance MacDonald, 12 Seminar Manu, 13 Timothy Bateman, 14 Nicolas Thomson , 15 George Pisi.
Reps: Mason Pomare, Sekope Kepu, Jonathan Direen, Dean Budd, Thomas Gilmore, Isaia Toeava, Daniel Bowden, Tama Makamak, Charles O’Connell, Dane Shelford, Robbie Flynn
6 June @ 9.35am is the big one!