What a round for SA teams. All four unions won. The sharks finally stood up and manage to beat ulster with some grit and determination, except for some coach killers with stupid 50/50 passes. 

Ethan Hooker was my player of the match. If he keeps this up we could be looking at our future bok 12. His work rate and speed was phenomenal. He has a nice size to him and can play direct when needs to. We need to look after this kid. 

The lions blew the doors off in Connacht. Playing with 14 men for most of the game and manage to make it look effortless. Number of players put their hands up. Nohamba had a quiet game but still scored. Horn seems to be the player to watch for. Then, JC pretorious ridiculous pass to set his outside backs away. The lions played well as a team. 

Stormers, got to see Roos getting back to his best. Speed and go forward, great at mixing it up. Willemse had a sublime game and wonder whether Gelant is even worth having in the team. Great to see Simelane at 13 for the stormers. So many line breaks. Hartzenberg got 3 tries, not bad. 

The bulls had to work really hard in Wales, but the experience came through with Willie pulling the strings with great passes and kicks. Bulls look like a difficult team. Really like the looks of Gumede, another sharks reject that is showing his true value. 

Arendse, what a player. So dangerous with ball in hand. Really curious to know how many meters he got. 

I hope this run continues, looks like a good break and hopefully we can have more teams finish in the top 8. Europe, watch put

Interesting times ahead...only 2 log points between 5th place Stormers and 10th place. Ospreys another 3 points down....11 teams with a realistic chance of making home quarters.  Benetton...https://www.unitedrugby.com/clubs/leinster

12 rounds completed and another cracker of a season final 6 rounds stretch..

Arendse’s numbers yesterday. Eight runs, 4 clean breaks, 10 defenders beaten, 2 offloads….133 metres.  More dangerous than a green mamba!

That pass from Roos that lead to the oppo try...haha i watched it in slow-mo about twenty times. 

He had a nice game, but that pass was hilarious. You could see what he was trying to do...but nobody on his team, nor the stadium, or anywhere else on earth, was on the same page.

lol Moz, Arendse is incapable of playing badly. His instincts are ridiculously accurate. You can tell that he doesn't have to think about what to do. He kinda lives in flow-state 24/7.

"The term “flow state” describes a mental state in which a person is completely focused on a single task or activity. They are directing all of their attention toward the task, and they do not experience many thoughts about themselves or their performance."

Agree on Arendse, he is like a hawk, ready to pounce

What a player

Agreed Hooker looks really good at 12 he is big and powerful, he looked the part for the Baby Boks

Ox is every tightheads nightmare man oh man I felt the pain of that tighthead he destroyed in that first scrum

Young tighthead Hanro Jacobs impressed me he is one for the future

Great to see Roos back to his best - skill, pace and power. Ben Jason Dixon is a real class act he had a great game - great running skills for a big man. Cap him against Portugal

Willemse is an unbelievable talent - easily one of the best players in the game. Dan du Plessis was excellent at 12 and while Similane did plenty of good work I was disappointed to see him not use his step close to the line on that one occasion. He is playing in survival mode as he has just joined the Stormers - he looks like a player playing for his spot, which is understandable but I want to see his stepping, which is his strength

Ruben v Heerden at 5 is a class act, so good in the line outs, unbelievable work rate and is a Rassie type of player - Rassie likes players with high impact rates - he makes a tackle gets up quickly and hits the ruck

Arendse is unbelievable, so effective for a little guy. I was hoping to see more of Moodie at 13, he was solid but had very few opportunities. Gumede is another quality loosie I can see why he made the Bok alignment camp. Ruan Vermaak at 4 was very physical and Nortje was skilful at 5. That Bulks frontrow of Wilco, Wessels/Grobelaar and Steenkamp is a real force

Pretorious was great for the Lions as was Horn at 8. Nohamba continues to impress as does Edwill vd Merwe on the wing, another Arendse.

Marius Louw never stops, never lets his side down - have always liked him.

My team of the week:

15. Willemse

14. Arendse

13. Am

12. Hooker

11. Edwill vd Merwe

10. Libbok

9. Nohamba

1. Ox

2. Grobelaar

3. Wilco Louw

4. Ruan Vermaak

5. Ruben v Heerden

6. JC Pretorious

7. Ben Jason Dixon

8. Roos

16. Wessels 17. Gerhard Steenkamp 18. Jacobs 19. Etzebeth 20. Gumede 21. Hendrikse 22. Hendrikse 23. Dan du Plessis

Nice to see everybody jumping on the Arendse train.

How crazy is it to have all these backs that were actually excited about.

And Willemse who has a nice bit of experience now to be their leader.

Good times boys. Good times!

I don't like Roos for 8 though.

I feel like he should be in the side of the scrum. Wiese is still my guy.

Roos is far far better than Wiese it makes absolutely no sense playing Wiese at 8 and Roos at 7 given Roos has far more skills, is quicker and a far better link player

If you are going to play Wiese and Roos in the same side then you play the skilful player at 8 and the dumb muscle at 7

Roos in form is far better than Wiese in form

Roos is better in a more open running game plan and Wiese for the more tighter Forward orientated game plan….so they can both be accommodated….I think Rassie will for now stick with the core incumbents from the WC mixed with the inform newcomers….happy Roos found his form again and Arendse is getting better by the day….he is beating defenders at will and stronger in contact to.

Duane - Not a linking 8, has 2x WCs to his name.

Kolisi - A poor man's version of Roos, a linking flanker, has 2x WCs to his name.

Far more similarities between Duane and Wiese. And Roos really is a far better version of Kolisi.

Just watched some highlights of Duane, what a player. Always Mr consistent, he brought, power, size, pace and skill. Fantastic on the ground and won so many balls for us. Don't think we will see another 8 like him and probably our greatest 8 in a line of so many great 8s that played for SA. 

Wiese is good in tight hard games when you don't have a lot of space. He is a hard bugger and probably what we need. I like Roos, but he needs some torque. Feels a bit light for me when he goes on the drive. Frankie Horn reminds me of uncle Fester. 

Then we have Cameron Hannekom that came from nowhere. Wonder what will happen with Dyamani given how well he is playing for the Stormers but not test quality. Great when the game opens up. Gumede seems more hardened and can hold his own. I wonder whether he should be shifted to 6 as Kolisi replacement. 

Great to see our Loose forward conveyor belt, but just need to get world beaters on the park. I'm still concerned a bit at 6. 

Pepsi is a good player, but needs to step up a bit more and be involved in more battles on the ground. 

Fuck me comparing Kolisi and Duan to Wiese is laughable

Firstly Kolisi is a linking 6 it’s his strength - ball in hand helloooo

Duan is more of a linking 8 than Wiese will ever be - Duan was direct but he had good hands and a good rugby brain

Wiese is pure dumb muscle - effective dumb muscle but there is no subtlety to him, nor does he have a great skill set.

With Brown looking to add a new attacking dimension to our game then the ball playing Roos is the obvious choice at 8

King - saying Roos does not impress you in contact means you either need new glasses or you are missing the reality

Roos bring more than enough physicality to the game - the guy is a unit - muscled to the hilt and 110kg plus

Roos is power and skill - I want to see him at 8 for the Boks - we don’t need dumb muscle

No more ignorant take on any Bok player than to call Wiese dumb muscle.

He played the ABs in his first few Bok caps, gave away a silly penalty, and since then, based purely on that, Saffex has been calling him dumb muscle.

Saffex, state 3 reasons why Weise is humble muscle. I am gonna bet you won't. I will literally send you a rugby jersey of your choice if you are brave enough to take up that challenge and actually succeed in its goal. You can't, you just hang on to braindead ideas.

Duane was not a linking 8. He would make passes and offloads from time to time but calling him a linking 8 is an absolute joke. How many kickoff returns did you ever see him offload? How many passes would you ever see Duane make in a game...in a season? What an absolute joker.

As for Kolisi, he IS a linking flanker, but Roos is a) stronger, b) faster, c) smarter and d) a better offloader.

How about you shut the fuck up and stop pretending to be the board's rugby expert.

The only guy I recall owning Ox was Tupou in the RC in 2021. At 5’ 10”  and 300lbs he is low enough to the ground so Ox couldn’t get under him.

I have to agree that Wiese is definitely not dumb muscle …I just watched a highlight video of Wiese called the Hitman…the way the man broke thru tackles , his direct strong running, his linking abilities ( might not be as good as Roos) but still better that most 8,s, spotting space actually making clean breaks and his solid defence. I also agree that Roos is right up there with his strength …. The only thing that might be a bit negative about Roos, is his inconsistent form….so we should be happy to have 2 excellent 8 th men with all round skill sets.

Duplicate

And I also think Roos should get a shot at playing flank….would be great to have both Wiese and Roos in the starting team….With Roos,s all round skill set, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be able to play and excel as a openside Flanker.

"Duane - Not a linking 8, has 2x WCs to his name."

Sorry to differ Plum, but that's nonsense...the perception is there because  of how he was ordered to play for the Boks...he's the most complete 8 we ever had... in my top 10 Boks of all time...with Eben, Habana and Gerber...and Arendse might be forcing his way in too.

Draad you will find good old Plum knows nothing about most things

For the record Plum I never said Duan was a linking 8 I said he was more of a linking 8 than Wiese because Wiese never links while Duan did from time to time. Wake up

Your take on Kolisi is horseshit - why you comparing him to Roos - one is a class 6 the other an 8 never a 6 - like I said wake up

Ok here goes Plum

Wiese is dumb muscle because all he does is target contact, there is no thought process involved in anything he does. He literally relies on his power to make an impact with ball in hand and in the tackle

He will never attack space He will never try step a player He will never take the ball from the base and look to link with other players You won’t see him join the line as a link player, you won’t see deft touches, soft hands, great lines or angles taken

Everything about him screams bash crash and for him it works. The lad is squat, he is square he is hard to stop - no surprise given he is 118kg and hardly the tallest

Crash bash requires very little brain work hence dumb muscle - it’s all brawn no brains

Hope that helps but I suspect not

‘ He literally relies on his power to make an impact with ball in hand and in the tackle 

He will never attack space He will never try step a player You won’t see him join the line as a link player, you won’t see deft touches, soft hands, great lines or angles taken’

Geez Dave you have him confused with Dud Allende.

Oh my word...

Now, Fattex, show us where Duane does the stuff you described above.

Are we back at it with more emperor's clothes stuff again?

Show me where Duane does the stuff you spoke about above. lol stepping and deft touches. You've got more rugby jargon in your head than brain.

The point is, Duane doesn't play as a linking player for the Boks. He never has. And so why should Wiese?

So we go from at an 8 that was never used as a linking player...unless you're gonna show the evidence of Duane joining the line, but suddenly now we simply have to have linking 8.

Wiese is the most obvious like-for-like swap now that Duane has retired.

And Roos is literally better than Mandela at everything he does. Let's also remember that Roos is still very young. When Kokisi 22 nobody even knew his name yet. Roos' quality is already very obvious.

The Boks are in a tricky spot where a lot of the top players are not at retirement age, but will be at the next WC. Kitshoff, Malherbe, Eben, Mostert, Kolisi, Faf, Am, DDA... Willie is likely gone already.

Marx, Kwagga, and Kriel might still be there.

The point is, the Boks basically have to change the entire pack. I hope they do because, outliers aside, most 35-36 year-olds don't perform as well as 28-30 year-olds. And I think Roos might be vital to the transition.

The other argument for Roos playing on the side of the scrum is that he would easily slot into the role that PSDT performs for the Boks. He's more compact and faster than PSDT, so would likely get hits in that fraction sooner. I also give him a 10/10 for aggression. The man has that Viking berserker thing going on. He is a big guy, but not massive, making him more apt as a roaming tackler/assassin than the taller and more lanky PSDT.

Tell me where I'm wrong here, Dave...

a) Roos has distribution and tackling skills that match Siya's.

b) Roos is very obviously capable of carrying out PSDT's role.

Listen here Plum you profoundly stupid prick - where did I say Duan was that you fucking idiot huh?

I said Duan was a more of a linking 8 than Wiese you stupid prick - because Wiese is a zero when it come to linking

Now fucking wake up you stupid prick

Go fuck yourself you fat, fake, cunt.

"Show me where Duane does the stuff you spoke about above. lol stepping and deft touches. You've got more rugby jargon in your head than brain."

Plum, go watch the Wales match in 2015 RWC...winning try offload...Scalla was also a great linking player, but allmoat never for the Bokke...we (Rassie and Meyer before him) don't like flair from loosies...Skinstat would probably not  have been given a shot under them.

Draad, I know Duane was capable of offloading.

And I remember that after that particular match Duane said he was worried about that offload cos "Coach tells us to never offload."

The point is that Fat-Useless-Cunt Saffex bases his distinction between Wiese and Duane on his moronic idea that Duane is more of a linking player. Which is almost entirely irrelevant because our 8s are never great offloading linking players. Whitely was the last linking 8 the Boks used and he lasted about 3 days. It's not what the Boks ever want from an 8.

You won't find me dissing Duane. The guy was a fantastic player, always.

But he has to be replaced now. And Wiese is the obvious choice.

TLDR; What is the point of this...

"For the record Plum I never said Duan was a linking 8 I said he was more of a linking 8 than Wiese because Wiese never links while Duan did from time to time. Wake up"

Then the wanker tried to stick to his even more stupid idea that Wiese is dumb muscle. A guy that basically started his international career against the ABs...away from home. He has done one stupid thing I can think of, which was that penalty he gave away.

What's Wiese done since then? Umm he's been solid as hell and took to international rugby like a duck to water. Putting in solid and improving performances every time he played.

Wiese is the 1st choice 8 going forward for the Boks.

Suck on that.

But no, according to Saffex, if you don't think Wiese is dumb muscle, like he does, then you're a stupid prick.

He Saffex...go F yourself you tosser.

...fair enough...I prefer Roos to play 8...Wiese can remain second choice...

Plum is too fucking stupid to work out the difference between Duan actually being a linking 8 versus being a better linking 8 than Wiese who is a zero linking 8

As Draad correctly points out we see the odd bit of linking play effected by Duan which by a process of elimination puts him ahead of the zero linking ability of Wiese

Wake up you ugly bald headed fuckwit

Geez how fucking stupid are you

Roos ahead of Wiese at 8 all day long. Hey dumbfuck do you actually know what dumb muscle is - look in the fucking mirror

Well if Wiese is Dumb Muscle then surely DDA is also Dumb Muscle? You love him to bits but Wiese not? That is contradicting yourself a bit, wouldn’t you say? The arguing is for Nothing in Anycase, as it doesn’t really matter who plays 8 th man, Thor ( Give that man a Bells as he is top notch and made us all proud to be Bok Supporters ) Wiese or Roos, under the existing Safety first Angst protocol Rassie has got us doing, none of the 8 th men playing, is linking players….even if they are very good linking players.

Mpower take a look at a highlights package of de Allende and come tell me he is dumb muscle.

I think you dumbfucks don’t even know what dumb muscle is?

Where the fuck have I said I don’t like Wiese huh?

Dumb muscle means you don’t need to use your brain you get the ball and attack contact. You rely on muscle not your brain, hence dumb muscle.

I’m not saying Wiese is dumb he just plays it directly no imagination or creativity involved - he is effective at being dumb muscle - I rate him but I prefer Roos

It’s that simple

Dave I didn’t say out right that you don’t like Wiese, that’s why I put a Question mark behind it….all cool, now you answered that you do like him : ) I Agree that Roos is the player with more Finesse…and as you Said with Wiese,s direct form of play, if these 2 players can start it will be good for the Boks….and by all means swop them….let Roos start at 8 and Wiese at 7 or the other way around ….how’s that for positive imagination? : )

Isn't spelling dumb fuck as one word kinda ironic?

Look up what irony is before you reply, Fattex...you wanker.

Who cares how I write dumbfuck you dumb fuck

Too fucking stupid to work out the obvious

Ugly bald prick

Mpower if we are ever going to play Wiese and Roos in the same side then it’s obvious you play the dumb muscle at 7 and the more creative player at 8

We have PSDT as 7 for a year or two still as he is 31. Once he is done Wiese will compete with the likes of Ben Jason-Dixon, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Venter, Vincent Tsituka, JL du Preez, Gumede or Ludwig for the 7 spot.

Right now he is up against Roos, Dan du Preez, Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Dayamani, Emmanuel Tsituka, Gumede and Horn for the 8 spot

The Bulls have excellent forwards….there is still Janko Swanepoel and Ruan vermaak. Andries Bekker says that Reinhardt Ludwig is a Golden Find….very hardworking in training and in the Games…so Ja there is stiff competition….the Du Preez Brother’s is not bad, but I really think the only way they will get into the squad, is thru injury to other players …it doesn’t look like Rassie rate’s them….the Tsituka brother’s is right up there and really talented, but not in Rassies new group or are they? Not sure…Dixon has grown under Dobbo, to be a superb player….Franke Horn was unlucky not to be in the new squad, really good player to.

Ruan Vermaak is a class lock he is test standard as is Ruben v Heerden

Talk is that Ludwig is the new PSDT - I really rate this lad, has muscled up nicely and has a massive work rate. Plays most of his rugby at lock but we have seen him at 7 as well.

The du Preez twins, like Esterhuizen have been a massive loss to SA rugby - all should have 50 plus starting caps to their names. The du Preez twins keep forcing their way into the Bok squads through sheer performances for Sale but never seem to stick - I’m guessing they fit into that category of player that just does not fit into Rassie’s picture. As Jessie Kriel said Rassie chooses players that fit that are not necessarily the best. Mostert is a prime example - he is by no stretch the best but he fits Rassie’s model. The du Preez twins are amongst the best in their positions but don’t fit the Rassie model

The Tsituka brothers are awesome - especially Emmanuel. Like Tambwe they are not SA’n so I’m not sure if that is the reason we are yet to see them get noticed

Ben Jason Dixon is a class act he has test 7 written all over him. Horn at 8 for the Lions is another class act

We have so many good young loosies is ridiculous - Dayamani , Jason Dixon, Theunissen, Roos, Morabe, Emmanuel Tsituka, Ruan Venter, Horn, Ludwig, Elrigh Louw, Hanekom, Gumede, Vincent Tsituka, Buthelezi , Augustus

They should give Tambwe and the Tsituka Brothers SA passports so they can play for the Boks….but like you say, we have so many excellent SA loosies, that it’s most probably just less hassle to pick them, instead of still sorting out there SA passports….Pity though…it can maybe also be that there is enough white representation in the Bok squad, and therefore the Du preez brothers fall out because of transformation?? There is also others that fall away because of that….Merit selection, regardless of skin colour, is the way to go.

" Ugly bald prick " - hey Dave not very nice saying that to Plum….I can remember the days where I still had long hair with natural curls….my friends in Germany used to call me " Locken " but now I have lost most of my hair on top and I am grey: ) be grateful that you still have your hair….I bet there is many other Poster’s on here, with " Min Hare " on the top - Don’t be Dick, it doesn’t suit you : )

So it’s ok the bald ugly prick to call me fat having never set eyes on me in his life

Don’t get me wrong I don’t give a fuck what he calls me but at least my take on him being one ugly fucking bald prick is based on evidence

Your hypocrisy stinks

No calling you fat is also not nice ….call me a Hypokrit if you like, but I know for a fact that in most scenarios on here, you are the aggressor….mostly you Revert to insults if posters don’t agree with you….from the little bit of Contact I had with you in private, I can see that you not that guy….that’s why I say it doesn’t suit you….I really can’t imagine you calling everybody Dumb Fucks in the real world : )

I’m as nice as pie but more than happy to trade blows with an ugly bald prick any time of day

Nothings going to change on here some of us have been trading blows for a quarter of a century on various platforms

And you are wrong the ugly bald prick started the insults on this occasion so fuck the ignorant prick

Too fucking stupid to work out the difference between Wiese, Duan and Roos

Well, it's true, isn't it Fattex?

Exactly as said above, you immediately revert to insults when somebody disagrees with you?

You know that right? That you are always the first one to start hurling vulgarities?

Or are you gonna deny that?

Are you also gonna deny that you're easily the most foul mouthed person on this board?

And all it does is show that you're an insecure little wanker that feels attacked the moment you're not agreed with. It's a basic and obvious sign of mental immaturity.

But IRL, you wouldn't dare, you'd get slapped around. It's always the way with online tough guys, they say all the stuff online that they wouldn't dare say face to face. We've seen this movie before.

I bet you're quite as bloody church mouse down your local.

TBH, I don't blame you. Being semi-mobile doesn't offer much room for having a big mouth.

I do wonder, do you actually want everyone to agree with all your takes? Do you really think that much of yourself?

Here, let me help you out...have a read though your posts and see how often you use phrases like "in my opinion" or "for me", which would indicate that you have some semblance of an understanding that it is ultimately just YOUR OPINION.

The only true prick here, my boy, is you.

Now go fuck yourself.

...oh wait, you have probably already done that twice today!

Haha

Oh wow that was quite some little outpour by you Plum pudding.

The only insecure twat on here has to be you if anyone has taken the trouble to look up your profile photo you used to use. I can see why you have replaced it. You are one ugly fucking bald cunt. That must stir up plenty of insecurity?

As for me initiating an attack - as per usual you are fucking lying - evidenced with you getting your little balls all tied up in a knot resorting to Fatex - you sad fuck

As for me in person I’d happily meet up with you in November when I’m home again and let us see how much of a whimp I am in person. That’s an open invitation baldy.

A snot klap is not going to make you any uglier - that’s fucking impossible

Ooh Fatex swears he must be dumb - go tell Stephen Fry that you ignorant prick

Calm down there bloat.

Cholesterol and stress don't mix well together.

.i..

Thanks for your concern bald ugly fuck

Such limited material from such a limited "man".

Coming from a cunt like you I take that with a pinch of sugar

Serious question, do you have mirrors in your squat?

No...

Do you squat over mirrors?

Cumon, we know you do...

Just stop it!

Hahaha

Wow and I have no material you say

Fuck me ugly cunt I’m guessing my arsehole looks a lot better than your face

And so you stare at in the mirror?

Gotta be honest, sounds a tad unhealthy but does explain your behaviour.

You can forget about Saffex now that Red-D!ck is back.

We may not get along with Rooi most of the time but he's a far more interesting character than the ever dim, Fattex.

much more fun quarreling with him yes.

One would swear old baldy here is an interesting character

Fucking boring ugly bald twat who hangs his arsehole over a mirror

Don’t expect him to add any value on a rugby front - fuck me Moodie is a better 13 than Am according to this ignorant prick. As for Duan vs Wiese vs Roos - let’s not flog a dead horse

...and while you're at it, stop flogging the bishop so often too.

Is that meant to be funny baldy?

For real though, Draad.

We disagree with Rooi on almost everything but he can talk on a lot of topics and is creative. He knows how to write.

Old Fattex over here is like a broken record with his nonsense. Give me grumpy RooiTit over Forgone Conclusion Fattex any day of the week.

Nah, ou Saf is an acquired taste..funny AF.

Fattex = slapstick and low grade humour. One giant fart joke.

Rooi = The original(UK) version of The Office.

Plum pudding it beats being the boring bald ugly twat that you are

Do you not earn enough to invest in a hair job, I’m guessing your pay grade only stretches to a handjob by your local postman?

See I’m being as funny as you are baldy

So weak.

Why would a handjob from a postman be more affordable, likely, or better than one from a hooker?

Are you tacitly admitting that you fancy your postman?

Unrequited, no doubt.

So weak coming from you - get a grip you bald ugly prick

Talk us through Moodie being a better 13 than Am one more time you rugby ignorant twat

Pretty please

I just did...I made a my case, it's entirely laid out on a thread adjacent to this.

Fatty, I can tell that you are quickly running out of fuel, and by fuel I mean ability to keep up.

When you try to run IRL you wobble and when you try to be smart online you rattle, shake, puff and splatter.

I should really go easy on you because even if you're a vulgar twat, you're still disabled and it's nice of me to punch down like this.

I'll go easy on you and only pick my fifth best comeback each time.

Just promise me you won't kick the cat, okay? Cos we know the cat will end up winning that fight hahaha

Wow that is weak