Dave Rennie makes three major forward pack calls for third Springboks Test

There are no wrong decisions, just trade offs. We’ve given away some size in the second row and back row, and exchanged it for fresh legs, raw athleticism, and speed. ABs fielding the best ball carriers in the world at 2, 6, and 8.

The plan is to run the Boks off their feet, noting this game is at altitude. If the Boks get gassed, they will struggle in all facets of the game, including the set piece. That’s the theory. It’s all about who can impose their blueprint on the game.

Totally gutless.

The best performing loosey left out, the form player needing a rest and the worst performer, starting.

Blackadder on for Jacobson, EB earned start LJ needs a rest and Lakai on for Savea.

With Ardie impact.

Not far enough.

Blackadder earned a test, his performance against the Sharks was by far the best by a loose forward in the series so far for both, Boks and AB’s.

I would have thought Jacobson, who looked tired in the 2nd test, would have been rested.

With Sititi coming off the bench, I assume for impact, if he is replacing like for like he will replace Lakai or Savea both big 80 minutes players.

If he we’re planning on bringing Jacobson off then surely Blackadder would have been the obvious choice.

It makes me ask, how do you play yourself into the team, or is it because EB Vs Rennie’s pet Chiefs.

If I were Ethan I’d be going offshore, it seems no matter how well he plays he won’t get a test.

Aumua is a major upgrade if his throwing holds under pressure. Lakai at 6 is a major gamble, Boks will throw big men down his channel. Darry is absolute class, shld fix ABs aerials too. Holland off the bench is a banker. ABs certainly look alot younger than the team with all this so-called “depth”. The depth is just numbers.

Pleased for Aumua and Taukei’aho, but they’ll be throwing darts at the shortest lineout in international rugby! The Boks have 3 two metre jumpers and we have one, Darry. So whatever our plan is, the Boks have a much simpler, more effective one - kick the ball out and get it back on the AB throw. Barnesy may be a genius lineout coach - the evidence so far doesn't support that - but how many short throws and party tricks can the ABs get away with, really? The Boks aren’t stupid.

Bravo Rens, brave selection. Very happy with this team apart from Reiks or Jim on the bench. Young legs with Samasoni, Aumoa, Darry, Sititi, Lakai etc… is vital for this test. Should be epic

Boks supporters (and unfortunately some All Blacks supporters too) keep telling us the same old stories. They never change the record. The All Blacks will be too light on Saturday… they’re going to get bullied by the Boks up front. As I said a few weeks ago, you don’t beat the All Blacks by trying to play like them. Trying to play their game is almost certainly going to end in defeat. The only team I’ve really seen able to go toe-to-toe with them in that kind of physical game was Ireland in the pool match in 2023.

I believe the direction Rennie has chosen is the right one, especially in Johannesburg at altitude. It’s the tempo and speed that will give the All Blacks a chance to win. That’s the path they need to take. Of course, they’ll still have to stand up to the Boks in the direct set-piece and contact battles, which is always a huge challenge against South Africa. But if the All Blacks are still in the game at half-time, they can do it.

So the area of weakness for the ABs last match - lineout, they have made weaker?

Jacobsen like Taylor, looks like he needed a break and instead they keep him - so bit of a head scratcher about that.

So was expecting them to put Vai’i to 6, Lakai to 7 and Blackadder to the bench - instead we put Lakai at 1.86m vs Peter SDT at 2m and it leaves us with only two lineout targets vs Boks - more I think about it, real head scratcher.

Especially when you have both Aumua and ST, not exactly great lineout throwers and thus making it tougher to retain lineout ball.

Then on the bench bringing in Setiti - who was in terrible form vs Blackadder, who was the form player vs Lions?

And then no changes to backline reserves where I thought he would bring in Ioane/Nacewa over Moorby - though Moorby is well rested, given he did not get off the bench last weekend.

All in all, some interesting picks and all can do, is hope they work.