15 Fassi
14 Edwil
13 Moodie
12 Esterhuizen (c)
11 Hooker
10 Pollard
9 Jantjies
1 Wessels
2 Grobelaar
3 Porthen
4 Eben
5 Mostert
6 de Villiers
7 Elrigh Louw
8 v Staaden
16 Marx 17 Ox 18 Wilco 19 Lood 20 Jasper 21 vd Bergh 22 Sacha 23 Horn
WTF is Mostert doing in there and why v Staaden at 8 and not Hanekom?
@clevermike lol, I guess Rassie thinks Esterhuizen is a center after all, huh?
I can't find anything about Hanekom being injured. It will be such a disappointment if that kept him out of a starting spot, and it's weakened us a lot. That's a bog average loose trio. Div should be effective against the Aussies, but we'll need to boss the breakdowns if Fraser plays. Aussie will look at that pack and feel confident I think.
Hanekom is not even on the bench. Why? He has made a substantial impact of the bench and should be starting, let alone on the bench.
Bit odd that he's picked a backline to run the ball and then puts Pollard at #10 rather than Manie.
Oh well, come on Bokke!!!
Rooinek that backlne is going to malfunction similar to how the S haks backline failed in the past URC.
@clevermike Well ou Maaik, they do have the great Andre Esterhuizen at centre and we all know how his magic can bring the best out of any backline. It's not just the attack that he improves, his rock steady defence will also be invaluable.
I see he's been named captain as well . . . just reward for a true Springbok legend, wouldn't you agree?
Looks like Horn is being converted into a 10.
Why pick him, after an excellent couple of seasons playing at 15...and then go an entire season without letting him start in that position?
But ja, though shalt not question the almighty.
"Looks like Horn is being converted into a 10."
Huh? Horn is clearly covering fullback. Sacha is on the bench as flyhalf cover.
@Rooinek my bad, I looked at the list a little too quickly and missed the longest name on it 🤦♂️
@Plumpster questioning the Almighty will see you losing 100 percent. Questioning Rassie every time ensures you lose the vast majority of the time. Don't become train wrecks like Daft Deus and the very DUD Mozzie who cred is shot.
But I grant you the absence of Hanekom is odd. Perhaps he has a niggle. Also I would have started Quan before Fassi, Cobus Wiese at 7. Elrich has been "Bog ordinary". Hopeful he can show why he is in the squad.
The bench is strong.
Will AE have the nous to captain the side. The Sharks underperformed last year. I am pleased Eben is there to keep it together.
Very interested to see how the astute Pollard goes. A player undervalued by the oaks.
Mostert having his first match in a long time will probably will make way for Lood if he runs out of puff.
The Boks getting a chance to play will be chomping at the bit. Fresh and ready to go but rusty in terms of match play and perhaps not as co-ordinated as the test side that played the wee abs.
Tbe bomb squat may have to win this one for us.
The side does not make sense by my count there’s 5 players who won’t make the RWC squad.
This team has a very B-team look to it. Some of the players are arguably C-team
I thought we had already witnessed the end of Mosterd
First off, I agree Quan Horn should have started at fullback. He's the more in-form player, and Fassi shouldn't be there.
For the people with bad memories... Without Franco Mostert we don't win the 2019 World Cup, and we don't win the 2023 World Cup either. That die-hard work rate and tackling like a monster is one of the biggest reasons we won both.
We all know he's going into the final stages of his career. At least show him the respect he deserves and let him finish out on a high. It's not going to hurt that he starts against the Wallabies. Let him end his tenure with respect. At least we can give him that.
Esterhuizen was one of the few who stood up in that Sharks squad as there Captain, and he stood up in the Greatest Rivalry tour too, scoring tries, playing centre, then switching to loose forward. He's a brilliant centre, versatile enough to play loose forward as well. He distributes, he puts players into space.
And if you want to say Mostert is too old for the Springboks, then Lood is in exactly the same category.
One more thing, I would have taken Jasper Wiese out of the matchday 23 and given him a rest too. I would have rather played Cobus Wiese. I know he's more of a lock, but I think he can play 8 as well, especially with Hanekom seemingly injured. Van Staden on the bench.
Now, to the two uncle mamparas, Beeno Biscuits and Uncle Clever. Shame man. 😊 They just want to feel special. Why don't you both rather go and try to walk around the block? It'll do you good. Then go and have a cup of tea and a Marie biscuit, afterwards. Or better yet, a "polisie koffie", with two shots of brandy in it.
