Springboks fans sound confident about their 'B' team
Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks selection has evoked an interesting reaction from fans on Twitter this week.
Before he revealed his selection, he said that there would be two different squads to face the Wallabies on Saturday at Ellis Park and the All Blacks next week in Wellington. This is an approach that Erasmus has suggested he may use when it comes to the World Cup as well.
When looking at the team to face the Wallabies, only Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit are the two players that would be expected to start against the All Blacks in the World Cup pool stage, with Lood de Jager, Jesse Kriel and S’bu Nkosi also being contenders.
However, that does not mean that the fans are not confident of the Springboks getting this weekend’s job done against Australia.
This is still an impressive team, with a formidable pack, with flankers du Toit and debutante Ryan Elstadt also capable of playing in the second row.
Etzebeth is back.
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 17, 2019
Scrum-half Herschel Jantjies is the other player making his debut in the starting XV and will guide a promising backline alongside Elton Jantjies.
The team still also has a lot of experience, with 107-cap veteran Tendai Mtawarira starting, so it is understandable that the fans remain confident on social media despite a raft of regulars being absent. This is what the fans have said:
They have what it takes to win and really they all have to prove themselves but they're tried and tested fellas https://t.co/0pKutcASj2
— Nkumbulo ?? (@jamessodabi) July 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/TweetDanielRae/status/1151505296168300546?s=20
https://twitter.com/EDvdW2/status/1151507869046583297?s=20
Excited to see this squad in action, the loose trio looks mean! It's going to be a good game of ruggas. https://t.co/AkHUCF4rDR
— Phumudzo Tshiovhe (@shepherd015) July 17, 2019
Wow, Boks "B" team looks good… Does this mean that Kolbe has overtaken Sbu Nkosi on the pecking order? https://t.co/uJYm6Q6tiv
— Skhomo Mhlatyana (@Vumza_) July 17, 2019
It's "virtually" a B team, but one that I trust to have enough firepower to beat the Wallabies on home soil. If they don't, it's not a trainwreck. The Rugby Championship is not that important in a World Cup year. Eyes on the prize.
— @rno (@watsenaam) July 17, 2019
So excited to see the @Springboks .. if that’s a B team then whoah.. that forward pack will be no match for the Aussies.. #Springboks
— mzv (@myboymdakane) July 17, 2019
I quite like the feel of this weekend's #Springboks side. Preparation for the World Cup is obviously the main focus and we giving a few lads a shot at the big stage. #RugbyChampionship
— Keegan Kruger (@KeeganKruger) July 17, 2019
The Wallabies have not beaten South Africa at Ellis Park in 56 years and while this is undoubtedly a weakened team, they still face a tough ask in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Despite some absences due to injury, Michael Cheika has named one of the strongest sides he can, meaning it will be a major boost for the Springboks if they do win.
Nevertheless, the focus here is about building a team for the World Cup, and Erasmus feels that having two squads may be the best way forward. But there will still be players that work their way into the A team before September.
WATCH: Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus announces his team to face Australia on Saturday
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments