leslie42 says...

The Springbok tight five is relativley weak. If Simon Shaw plays the driving lock role and he packs behind Vickery the Lions will dominate up front and should win plenty of ball and also the game. However it is clear now that SA intend to run this international from all over. The lions are weak in center and the boks will try to exploit this with their best center pairing in a long long while.But Fourie and Oliver will not get the ball they need to play the game as the Lions forwards will control possesion. Lions to win by 10-15 points. Simon Shaw again for man of the match.

Posted 11:51 03rd July 2009

mixedup says...

Amazing the consensus with this article. It is great to have such a strong squad.

I always grade internationals as A,B or C grade.

A's - true top tier internationals. Solid and well balanced with a bit of the 'x-factor'.

B's - solid internationals. Won't let the side down but also won't set the field alight.

C's - A/B but lacking experience. OR Not up to scratch but place markers due to injuries/politics (can anybody say Earl Rose?)

It's also interesting that some top tier (Super14 etc.) are brilliant at that level but cannot make the step up to internationals, while some S14 players are solid at that level but step up and are brilliant at the international level.

For me:

A - Fourie, Olivier, du Preez, Smith, Matfield, Smit

B with potential - Steyn, Kankowski, Brussow (no McCaw or Smith yet- but just wait!), Mtawarira (needs more experience)

B - Muller, Kirchner

C with potential - Relepele

C's - Ndungane, Nokwe (how many times have you seen them create something from nothing like Sivivatu, Mesanga etc.)

So that is it. A very strong side with B grade and better players with just a few weak C's.

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Johann Muller, 3 John Smit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Posted 03:43 03rd July 2009

koornhof says...

What a pleasure, having supported the Springboks since 1955, to be able to look forward to such a strong "second string" 15 run out onto the field on Saturday.

Posted 20:28 02nd July 2009

gavin444 says...

a second team that would take on pretty much any Northern Hemisphere side...!

Posted 15:57 02nd July 2009

rich says...

Improvement in numbers 6,10,12 and 13, pack is de-powered through absence of du Plessis and Botha, inexperienced back 3 - there'll be a lot of kicks going their way from the Lions.

Potentially good side, but Bok management clearly sees preparation for the future being more important than making it a 3-0 win

Posted 12:59 02nd July 2009

philatom says...

A good side. I'm excited to see Kirchner and Steyn playing together for the boks. Kankowski deserves his starting place as Spies has been quiet, although efficient, at 8. The centre pairing also offers more going forward than the previous one. This isn't a 2nd string side, I think the changes are rotational with one eye on blooding some in-form young players for the 3N.

Posted 12:26 02nd July 2009

olivierw says...

I won't really rate this as a second string team. The backline, with the exception of the wings, is markably stronger. The forwards are also strong. Due to the improved 10, 12 and 13 the boks should take this one by atleast 7.

Posted 12:18 02nd July 2009