Crazy that Wilco Louw has not made the squad ahead of Nyakane or Koch
Bolter is J H Wessels who has not been used by Jake much - he is a quality hooker though who played all his school rugby as a prop
Big boy at 120kg +
Big misses are
Gelant
Green
Papier
David Kriel
Wilco Louw
Ruben v Heerden
Jason Jenkins
Dan du Preez
Emmanuel Tsituka
Vincent Tsituka
Rassie is not making progress here…What is the use of a Trevor at 35 years old and Koch at 34? I kinda had a feeling he would do that….It feels like he is just holding on to much, not trusting the new stock…..or possibly the last hoera for these players? Feel for Wilco and Ruben….also for elrigh ….not picking David Kriel is stupid on Rassie,s behalf….but he did say that he wants to give the old guys a chance against IRELAND…so maybe after the Irish series, he will bring more change’s.
MP
Erasmus is on the way to identify players he can use in 2027 and he has two full years to identify same. I do not think Rassie is seriosuly considering a player like Nyakane to actually play against the Irish.
There is just another problem Feinberg Ngomezulu was playing for the Stormers and then moved to the Lions where he was not used in their team. I am not sure he returned to the Stormers,
I have also stated in the past he is a top class flyhalf and would like to see him in the Springbok team. To my mind he is a better flyhalf than Libbok - even though Dave will probably roast me alive for saying that.
Agreed Mpower
Wilco for Nyakane
Hanro Jacobs for Koch
Ruben v Heerden for Mostert
Papier for Reinach
Elrigh Louw for v Staaden
And add David Kriel to make it 40
At least Wilco, Ruben and Elrigh are in the picture it’s absolutely crazy that David Kriel is not. How does Hooker get in ahead of Kriel? Don’t get me wrong but Hooker looks a great prospect but Kriel has been sensational this year and add to that his utility value where he is at home at 12,13, 15 and wing - madness
As much as i really like Mostert and he has done us proud, he is 33 already. So we have to invest in the younger generation of players taking us forward towards WC 27.
Yes he turns 34 soon and is kak so let’s move on
Afghanistan!
Mozart
Sure if you do not know - but Afghanistan beat Australia and thus qualify for the semi-final - sendig Uastralians home early, .
There are Afghans playing for Indin teams and amongst them are a couple of good bowlers and 1 batsman.
27,941 posts
Forwards:
Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks). Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92/Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), RG Snyman (Munster/Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Backs:
Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Wilie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Players on standby:
Forwards:
Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (both DHL Stormers), Celimpilo Gumede, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw (all Vodacom Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers).
Backs:
Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks).