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Joined March 2012
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With the Six Nations over, attention in the northern hemisphere is now on the upcoming mid-year internationals. Expectations up north are, as always, quite…
Before the Lions tour to SA the Lions management were going on about how they were going dominate this and dominate that. I remember in the first test in Durban the Lions made a huge noise about how they would target the SA scrum. And what happened? They were destroyed in the first half.
I forgot about Matt Stevens, but he has been there since being a teenager (please correct me im wrong), so does not really count as a Saffa. To answer your question, no, I do not think any of the players you mention are better than their SA counterparts. Your point is valid when say, comparing Steyn to Flood that they are diff players, but then Steyn has won a 3N title, a Lions series, and has won against NZ in NZ. For the others I am very excited to see what happens!
And those stats do count for something, they show some clear trends in my opinion. But anyway, the SA/ ENG , AUS/Wales series will be interesting. I feel sorry for Ireland, they are not in a good way. Maybe they need a new coach.
Southern Hemisphere's rugby domination to continue
Johnno, what is happening with Gavin Henson? Do you think he is a viable option for the tour?
Southern Hemisphere's rugby domination to continue
thanks for the feeback Colin!
1. Like, Francois Hougaard, Lwazi Mvovo, Pat Lambie (which you mentioned), Willem Alberts, Gio Aplon, Elton Jantjies, Ashley Johnston to name a few.
2. I did not articulate myself clearly on your second point, so let me try again. The players I mentioned were indeed stopping certain younger players from getting starts, but all the players that I mentioned above, and a guy like Bismarck du Plessis will now be starting on a way more regular basis. But they have all spent a bit of time with the Bok squad, hence my opinion that the transition will be a smooth one.
3. Only time will tell I suppose. South Africa always churns out good loose forwards and more recently young exciting backs, but yeah..
4. You mention some exciting players in your “boot shaking” section. But if those players are bootshakers, then it is only fair to say that SA posses a few of their own., i.e. Hougaard, De Villiers, Frans Steyn, Alberts, Bismarck, Burger, Brussow, Aplon, Lambie etc.
I am pretty much in the same position as you in that I cannot comment to much on what is going on in the English premiership, in terms of players coming through etc. In terms of the scrum, there are some young props coming through at the moment, particularly at the bulls and cheetahs, and a young lock at the Stormers, Etzbeth. Then Johan Goosen is sure to be a bok 10 fairly soon. It will be an interesting series for sure, and the games may end up being close, but I honestly dont think England can win the series.
Can the Wallabies beat Wales in June?
Some of the players that you mention have struggled with injuries, such as Mtwarira and Bekker. Fair enough if people do not shake in their boots at facing these players. What boot shakers do you have in English side? Um, none. Despite SA losing a host of their older players they have blooded enough young players over the past two years to make the transition a smooth one. In many instances the older players such as Smit, Spies, Bakkies et al have been hampering the development of other better and younger players. South Africa, despite your argument posses way more depth and quality compared to the current England squad.
The Welsh are big mouthed because before every game facing SH opponents there is always talk about the imminent Welsh victory. Yeah, still waiting for that one too.
Can the Wallabies beat Wales in June?
I respect your opinion and I guess time will tell. Steyn is by no means the best 10 in the world, but within the Bok context he does what is expected of him and he wins more games than he loses. One thing we can agree on i am sure of besides Kidney, is that all of these series will be very interesting and enjoyable. That said, I still believe SA will win the series.
Southern Hemisphere's rugby domination to continue