The Rugby Championship - 2022

Starting this coming weekend.

SA have named their side to face the All Blacks:

Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf du Klerk, Trevor Nyakane, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.

Reps: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Willie le Roux.

6-2 split on the bench is interesting, also Marx getting the nod ahead of Mbonambi. Moerat would be making only his second cap off the bench.

Does Jaden Hendrikse cover 10? Would be interesting to see how they'd cope with an early injury to either Pollard or a centre, given the composition they've gone for. I suppose Damian Willemse's versatility is what they're relying on.

Shehal

How Jaden Hendrikse gets games for SA is a mystery to me, I know he's young but any game I watch him play for the Sharks he looked hopeless.

Damian Williemse is a converted 10 so he would be the obvious back up at 10.

sydthebeat

Le roux also has fly half experience from his early days, but willemse would be the obvious first option if Pollard had to go off

Really hope NZ can do a job. If SA beat them comfortably, it will belittle our series win like how France trouncing NZ belittled our November victory.

Dubinusa

I hope S.A murder them!

AbusesToilets

I think NZ will win it comfortably. SA haven't looked impressive at all this season

Dubinusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119426388#Comment_119426388

True! But SA are more than capable!

Kiwi side named now:

Interesting to see the changes in the tight 5; obviously Barrett into second row is injury enforced, but Taukei'aho in at hooker, and two new props on the bench (Lomax played for the Maori against us).

Tupaea in the 23 shirt feels like a strange call to me, and thought he was poor against Ireland.

stephen_n

Seems like endless tinkering and no real sense of what his best 15/23 should be. Backrow is still a problem, trying to shoehorn Cane in.

EarWig

Ian Foster told to resign if All Blacks lose in South Africa

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/exclusive-ian-foster-told-to-resign-if-all-blacks-lose-in-south-africa/7YTXQWBULWIPGWV3VDIHRYA2PI/

This must be the most hotly anticipated pair of matches in a long time. And the South Africans are just the team to want to dispatch them.

Even when playing badly they have the knack of winning. NZ will have to play like they did in the first Irish test to win here. I'd have it one each.

TheRona

Crazy to think SA have only beaten NZ a few times in the last decade. Hard to say if they're favourites going into this, they made Wales look good.

it seems the NZ public are not confident. NZ bookies have SA favourites, only the third time the opposition has been favoured by the bookies in NZ in 340 AB matches since 1994

(at least that was the case when the newspapers went to print)

Paul Smeenus

https://www.the42.ie/michael-hooper-mental-health-5834728-Aug2022/

Fair play to Hoop. Really glad to see a player as respected and talented as him stand up and do this.

a2deden

Boooo i want to hear the haka

Burkie1203

Ouch....

A-Train

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119437655#Comment_119437655

A rough start to say the least for SA.

Jacovs

The problem with the 6-2 split, if one of your backs get injured after 43 seconds you only have 1 back left for the rest of the game.

On his home field too, poor Faf.

Inquitus

Faf flew into 2 tackles there with little regard for his well-being, guess he was fired up on his home ground.

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119437672#Comment_119437672

Yeah, in some ways it's not surprising. Needed to be a bit more controlled.

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119437666#Comment_119437666

Out cold. Terrible tackling style.

TheRona

SA clearing out players beyond the ruck.

About 3 forward passes in that one phase as well.

razorblunt

Gardner shouting “use” when the Boks mauling is walking forward, continues to shout it twice more. It can’t be both, Angus.

Ioane then tackled past the ruck and out of the field of play infront of the AR. Nothing given.

fitz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119437719#Comment_119437719

Gardner is a really frustrating ref.

TheRona

Marx never supporting his weight, just flopped on top of the ruck.

Jacovs

NZ scrum hasnt showed up.

corny

For a country never short of talent, it's strange just how poor the NZ props actually are. Ta'avao is nowhere near international level. He's exhausted already and hasn't a clue what he's doing in the defensive line. Bower really isn't much better.

NZ hanging in there. The Boks won't sustain this intensity for the full game.

AbusesToilets

NZ look very laboured and slow in their attacking shapes

fitz

Can see a red card being produced at some point the way SA are flying into tackles.

Did anyone else spot a NZ player on his back after a tackle kicking a SA player over him in the ribs? Was about 10 minutes ago, I thought the TMO was going to flag it, but could be a citing. It looked terrible.

NZ holding on against the intensity of SA...still don't look great on attack, but I think part of that is down to SA tackling like lunatics, and doing their best to smother NZ. Reckon NZ might have this if the game loosens up in the second half.

OldRio

A couple of great turnovers by Marx.

RichieRich_89

Ooh, Motshidisi Mohono's on.

FrancieBrady

All Black confidence shot to bits.