They are young. Only one is thirty. All but five are 27 or younger. Seven have not even reached 25. The median age is about 25.5.
They are inexperienced. The back three (bench included) has only nine caps, combined. This means that Raymond Rhule’s patented matador “please, sir, feel free to score” defence has only just begun.
The loose trio (even adding the reserve) can only claim 32 caps. The five non-Beast front-rowers only have 80 caps combined. Beast Mtawarira is in his swansong; Steven Kitshoff and his 13 caps are the future and this tournament will probably mark the transition. The starting halves have only 16 caps; if Elton Jantjies limps off, or suffers his typical yips under pressure, young Curwin Bosch will skip on, only a couple of years after matriculation.
They are fast. There is not a faster back in the Championship than Courtnall Skosan, except maybe Rhule or outside centre Jesse Kriel (strangely, speed seems to have a negative correlation with tackling).
Jaco Kriel won’t be left behind even by Michael Hooper; and Siya Kolisi has a real burst. Nobody moves 130 kg around much faster than Coenie Oosthuizen, and the Bok lock corps of Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, and Pieter-Steph du Toit are remarkably agile and quick for their size.
They are fit. In times past, the All Blacks could find a gasping Jannie du Plessis or ponderous Willem Alberts or lazy JP Pietersen to run around in the last quarter. The least fit Bokling is probably flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who spends too much time in the barbershop and too little on the treadmill.
But the Lions were the best second half team in Super Rugby, the biggest units (Etzebeth and Mostert) score the highest in fitness drills, even Oosthuizen is probably only 123 kg now, and hooker Malcolm Marx has almost the perfect rugby physique.
They will set a ruck target from a big 12. Jan Serfontein and Damian de Allende (and presumed backup Rohan Janse van Rensburg) are not subtle playmaking runners, with soft passing skills. The goal of Ruck No. 1 is to get past the gainline, and have Ross Cronje swoop and pass in one fell swoop.
They will miss tackles. Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jantjies, and du Toit have terrible technique, and Bosch clearly does not enjoy the activity.
Their lineout is iffy. Marx is a phenomenal prospect, and can dominate the middle channels, but he floats the ball. Short-armed Bongi Mbonambi, his (probably) politically-picked backup, was the worst lineout thrower in Super Rugby.
They can steal at lineout. Mostert, Etzebeth, and du Toit will give Gus Creevy, Stephen Moore, and Dane Coles the fits.
They will play the breakdown by committee. Kolisi is not really an opensider. Jaco Kriel is not really a blindsider. Uzair Cassiem is not a seasoned No. 8. But Marx, Oosthuizen, Mostert, and even Serfontein are menaces over the ball.
They are domestic. Only 42-cap utility back Francois Hougaard is currently not on a Super Rugby squad for 2018.
Let the games begin!
PB
Guest
Interesting to look back at this appraisal after Saturday. Known weaknesses, brutally scourged.
DavSA
Guest
And I thought Suzie was around town again.
Harry Jones
Expert
JP is super talented, but he goes through up-and-down cycles on fitness and desire.
Harry Jones
Expert
Pollard will be back for Rounds 4-6.
Harry Jones
Expert
Cassiem was not fit enough for test rugby: did you see him barf?
DavSA
Guest
Mates with Coetzee. Decent enough nr 8 but barely Superugby standard .
DavSA
Guest
Also ..Kobus Wiese . Made his debut this weekend for WP at flank. Already looks like a superstar . You heard it here first.
FrontRanker
Guest
"lazy JP"...? JP should be in the springbok squad and playing at 13, he was wasted on the wing under Heyneke and AC seems to have written him off which is sad because JP is a world class player, sad these bok coaches have no vision, JP could be what Tana was for the All Blacks, hopefully he will get another shot.
Muzzo
Guest
Nice read Harry, but one wonders where are the likes of Ruan Combrink, & Handre Pollard, etc, in this current Bokke squad? Is Pollard injured, & if not, I do rate him as far superior to Jantjies, in play making skills? As you said with one of those mentioned above, being political selected, if that is the case, then I take it, the stupid Quota system is still in place? It is my opinion, & possibly so many others, that politicians should keep their snouts out of the game, & let the national RU do their job, in selecting the best available at that point in time. Cheers.
paladeperre
Guest
The best 10 in SA right now is Lionel Cronjé, It´s a pitty that Coetzee never game hin an oportunity. This is the reason because he decided go to play to Japan
Harry Jones
Expert
Pollard will be ok for Rounds 4-6. Jantjies isn't the long term answer. Watch D. Willemse (20) at WP, though.
Peter
Guest
The real question is why are we still competing internationally when the IRB Is quite clear about political medling in sport?
Three players makes a huge difference. Each of them make one mistake it can cost you 21 points Whiteley actually makes it 4 players to be fair as well.
Bluesfan
Guest
So only three changes? i always had the idea that SA would have being much stronger e.g. on a par with the AB's, if they were not hamstrung by politics etc - so interesting that you only highlighted three players being replaced.
Thanks chook, best of luck for you guys as well, I think you need a good result after the disappointing season you guys have had off and on the field
Machooka
Roar Guru
Meat... MEAT is good! Especially done the SANZAAR way ;)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Haha biltongbek... and I reckon I know which 4 wins you're talking about. Sadly. Good luck tonight/ today/ or whatever time it is wherever you are :)
Agree with that, but the French series has not convinced me we have turned a corner. You don't just wipe a record of 36 played, 19 wins, 17 losses over the past three years with one frenhch series at home.
Harry Jones
Expert
Thx KP
Harry Jones
Expert
France was a bit too docile for me to get a good read