@mariner4life said in Springboks v Barbarians:
@OomPB said in Springboks v Barbarians:
Must admit he made me swear a lot
haha i bet. I've watched Bok tests where he has done dumb shit and thought "by fuck he must drive their fans nuts"
Absolutely. But for a long time he was the only Bok who could see, create and use space.
Even so almost every SA group chat I’m in has
been renamed something like Willie Le Roux Appreciation Society because it drives at least a quarter of the blokes mental.
@pakman said in Springboks:
@Smuts Perhaps balances out Pollard at 10?
Reckon so. Because lord knows before Am established himself during the first World Cup run Faf, DDA & Kriel weren’t exactly producing champagne rugby.
@pakman said in Springboks:
One for the WLRAS:
Taking that intercept and almost skinning the fastest rugby player on earth is why he has double the World Cups of the next best test 15.
@Smuts said in Springboks:
Taking that intercept and almost skinning the fastest rugby player on earth is why he has double the World Cups of the next best test 15.
That makes no sense.
And he's no Ben Smith from accounts.
Le Roux was very much the playmaker in the recent successful Springboks sides - the number of touches he'd have from 15 was pretty outrageous. Not necessarily a better player than a Ben Smith etc, but exactly what South Africa has needed.
@nostrildamus said in Springboks:
@Smuts said in Springboks:
Taking that intercept and almost skinning the fastest rugby player on earth is why he has double the World Cups of the next best test 15.
That makes no sense.
And he's no Ben Smith from accounts.
You’re right. Unfair to compare Willie to Smith with his solitary RWC trophy
@Smuts said in Springboks:
@nostrildamus said in Springboks:
@Smuts said in Springboks:
Taking that intercept and almost skinning the fastest rugby player on earth is why he has double the World Cups of the next best test 15.
That makes no sense.
And he's no Ben Smith from accounts.You’re right. Unfair to compare Willie to Smith with his solitary RWC trophy
Both you and Willie might not think rugby is a team game but I bet Ben Smith does!
@Smuts said in Springboks:
You’re right! Mr. Smith needed the best AB team of all time to bag his winners’ medal…
To be fair, Willie did it with the best team(s) in the history of world rugby ever ever.
@Smuts said in Springboks:
Hadn’t thought of it like that @Bones but I’m prepared to be convinced. Go on.
You're welcome
@Smuts said in Springboks:
That makes no sense.
And he's no Ben Smith from accounts.You’re right. Unfair to compare Willie to Smith with his solitary RWC trophy
If by that logic Sam Whitelock is twice the player Victor Matfield could ever be, I'd almost let you have that one.
7 days later
1 month later
It's like the Onion on mass shootings in USA.
'No Way to Prevent This,' Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens
Shocked, say the Saffers, as the only team with repetitive positive drug test. I mean, the team looks like normal athletes amiright?
This is good listen and the book Guns & Needles well worth the read
The Old Foe have arrived in Auckland.
19 days later
The bok transition into different players and tactics seems to be going well. Pleased that rassie had the guts to make big changes after the loss at Eden park. The mindset seems to be more of moving forward from what worked in the past, to what will work for the next World Cup. The two Argie games will be a potential banana skin for a team on a high, so that will be telling as well.
@W32 said in Springboks:
The bok transition into different players and tactics seems to be going well. Pleased that rassie had the guts to make big changes after the loss at Eden park. The mindset seems to be more of moving forward from what worked in the past, to what will work for the next World Cup. The two Argie games will be a potential banana skin for a team on a high, so that will be telling as well.
The Bok defence will be seriously tested by what is probably the best backline in the competition. The Argentinian scrum and lineout isn’t a match on their loose forwards and backline though. So if Boks gain ascendancy at the set piece and neutralise the Pumas back row, they will go a long way to winning.
I think the second test at Twickenham is the biggest potential banana skin. The bright lights of the city can be distracting 
The Springboks will only start on thursday preparing. Fassi and Lood will be out. They cant afford banana slips, should be full of confidense. Luckily they play the last game last and will know what needs to be done.
@W32 said in Springboks:
The bok transition into different players and tactics seems to be going well. Pleased that rassie had the guts to make big changes after the loss at Eden park. The mindset seems to be more of moving forward from what worked in the past, to what will work for the next World Cup. The two Argie games will be a potential banana skin for a team on a high, so that will be telling as well.
It's an interesting one because I believe the Boks have had the players to start playing a more expansive style for a few years now. Despite what many have trumpeted, I think they've done so well in spite of their conservative game plan, not because of it.
@Mr-Fish said in Springboks:
@W32 said in Springboks:
The bok transition into different players and tactics seems to be going well. Pleased that rassie had the guts to make big changes after the loss at Eden park. The mindset seems to be more of moving forward from what worked in the past, to what will work for the next World Cup. The two Argie games will be a potential banana skin for a team on a high, so that will be telling as well.
It's an interesting one because I believe the Boks have had the players to start playing a more expansive style for a few years now. Despite what many have trumpeted, I think they've done so well in spite of their conservative game plan, not because of it.
I’ve always thought this as well. Traditionally the boks ran the ball. I think a series of terrible coaches after the 95 WC and political BS stuffed up the team and led to a circling of the wagons and loss of confidence that got into the psyche of SA rugby. Many have negative views on rassie, but he has given his life to this team and country, and has brought back the belief that has allowed our team to thrive. He has in spades what many other coaches lack - and it’s not professionalism, it’s unshakable belief in his players and what SA rugby should be.
I read the headline and thought Damien had decided that after destroying the All Blacks, there is nothing more to accomplish.
@MiketheSnow said in Springboks:
You’ll shit on them
Twice
Let's see. Albornoz is fit again, and he is a baller 
Will be interesting to see Rassie's team for Durban. Surely he will start with Willemse in 15 (Fassi injured), Hooker (he can play 13 aswell), Libbok or Pollard (one on the bench). Suppose he will try and keep it tight vs the Pumas.
