Being a Shark, I am a big Bosch supporter and think he is super talented, but it is glaringly obvious that his talent is almost nulified by his poor defence.. I read an article this morning that he will still be in the squad ahead of Robert Du Preez.. How, I dont know... For the first time since Butch James, we have a flyhalf who is not afraid to hit the line, as well as tackle like a machine.. (I ommit Pollard from this list as he is seemingly more of a threat to the doctors and physio's than on the field in the last 3 years)... Ages ago I said I would not speak about Jantjies, as just the near thought of him makes me ill, and the first word that comes from my mouth is F#@K, so I will continue my silence regarding him...
The one selection I am happy with is Francios Venter getting a go due to Serfontein not being there. Barring one brilliant game for the green and gold, Serfontein has been non existant imo, and with Coetzee obviously having a man crush on De Allende (how he is still in the squad after 2 years of absolute shit, blows my mind). Venter has been a rock for the Cheetahs, and definately deserves his call up.. so that imo, is a positive...
Two test series between France and New Zealand is the highlight of this Autumns matches. Boks v Ireland and England v Australia should be good as well. Scotland take on the All Blacks on the 18th. Pity that there is no England v New Zealand match.
Coetzee starts with his man crush De Allende... this basically means that the guys out wide will NEVER see the ball... hope they getting lots of work on the tackling bags this week....
the boks backline is very poor and the changes may make a difference but I cannot see them beating the French in front of 80,000 partisan fans tomorrow . Absolutely no penetration and definitely no X factor in the backs. Vermeulen will make a difference but the French will have seen that our back 3 have no clue under the high ball. I take the French to beat the spread (- 4.5)
I think last week the score was not a fair reflection of the game; yes we were poor on attack and under the high ball; but for periods in the 2nd half we more than held our own - think the score was 17 - 3 with 10 minutes to go after we were down 14 - 0 at half time; then the wheels came off when the reserves came on; Francois Venter and Pollard to provide more on the attack - so we should be much better than last week - still the spread is probably about correct imo
But overall I don't think it is a happy camp - not sure how long before they get rid of Coetzee - maybe we should send in the army :ohmy:
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