Double Scrum & Brandy

Ouch

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Boks by 10 +

So as per normal here are my views on Saturday mornings game.

Australian rugby's rebuilding efforts have returned to square one after South Africa properly moered Joe Schmidt's Wallabies in the first Test of the Rugby Championship, dominating them 33-7 in a harsh reality check at Suncorp Stadium before a crowd of 52 odd thousand.

Facing the reigning world champion Springboks, the young Australian team struggled to make an impact. Despite showing some early promise, the Wallabies were soon undone by their recurring issues of ill-discipline, poor ex*****on, and disorganized tactics, leaving them vulnerable to the relentless power of the almighty South African forwards and the creativity of their backline.

The Springboks put on a rugby masterclass, showcasing power in defense, smart attacking play, and set-piece brilliance. Their dominance was clear, with five tries to one, highlighting the gap between the 2 teams.

Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith, and the exceptional Kurt-Lee Arendse, who scored twice, were just part of the magical story. South Africa controlled the set-piece and played with a blend of force and creativity that left the Wallabies struggling to keep up.

Although the Wallabies showed grit in their one-on-one defense, they lacked width and pace in attack. Their discipline fell apart, conceding all of 17 penalties. But those penalties were as much a result of South Africa's relentless pressure as they were of Australia's technical shortcomings.

South Africa will have plenty to be encouraged by after this game. They showed much more width and ambition with the ball than we're used to seeing from the world champions, signaling that Rassie Erasmus is pushing his team to evolve and take their style to the next level.

The Boks executed a clever move with a double jumper system at the line-out. Ben-Jason Dixon grabbed the ball and swiftly handed it off to Eben Etzebeth, setting up a strong driving maul that led to captain Siya Kolisi scoring the first try. I can't remember seeing a Green and Gold team pull off something like that in the last 20 years. With World Rugby likely to ban double pod lineout throws soon, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on this tactic.....Everything the Boks does, seems to be questioned. Much like SARS and their Audits if you catch my drift.

The Springboks' victory was a testament to their ability to combine brute force with tactical brilliance. Their innovative play, combined with their physical dominance, resulted in a comprehensive defeat of the Wallabies. It was truly a Masterclass performance

The teams will play one other again in Perth on Saturday. I don't see how the outcome could be any different. Boks by more than 15

Have a great week

Peace

Proper Team

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These matches are usually intense, with home-ground advantage being a significant factor. The Springboks are known for their solid defense, while the Wallabies are in a rebuilding phase with new tactical approaches.

My prediction: Boks by 10.

So as per normal here are my views on the Springboks game that took place on Saturday night.

Rugby was the winner in Bloem.

Not only was this the first meeting between these two nations, but the Springboks also had a new captain in Salmaan Moerat. This match would also mark the first time a female referee, Holly Davidson, officiated a Springbok Test match.

It was a historic day in the City of Roses as seven players made their Test debuts for the Springboks in the first-ever international match between the world champions and Portugal.

The match, played at an electrifying pace and with the physicality of an old rivalry, saw Rassies team dominate by scoring 10 of the 13 tries. However, Os Lobos left the republic with their heads held high in my opinion.

South Africa faced an early setback when Andre Esterhuizen was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jose Lima just two minutes into the game. This ended Lima’s game prematurely, with referee Hollie Davidson, the first woman to officiate a Springboks match, making the call brilliantly. The other best part of Saturdays game was how more then 30 men listened to only 1 Woman....How cool was that?

Os Lobos scored first when Jose Paiva dos Santos capitalized on a spilt ball from Evan Roos.....50/50 passes is never a good idea.

The Springboks responded emphatically with debutant and local player Jan-Hendrik Wessels scoring his first international try after a great offload from Man of the Match RG Snyman.

The Boks then took control, despite Portugal’s inspired defensive efforts, and achieved a 29-7 half-time lead with tries from debutant Phepsi Buthelezi, flanker Ben-Jason Dixon who in my opinion was brilliant, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, and returning center Lukhanyo Am.

Veteran winger Makazole Mapimpi scored the first, second, and last tries of the second half, sealing his hat-trick against Portugal. I am Happy to see Mapimpi back to his best. There is just something about him that makes me smile.

Debutants Quan Horn and Andre-Hugo Venter also scored their first Test points.....Congrats Guys

Man of the Match: Makazole Mapimpi demonstrated his prowess as a lethal finisher, scoring three tries. RG (4 on 1 ) Snyman excelled in open play with outstanding offloads on attack. Sacha (Remember the name) Feinberg-Mngomezulu impressed off the bench, contributing to several tries and showcasing perfect goal-kicking. Sacha battle stats 36 Minutes Played, 2 Try Assists, 66 Metres Gained, 2 Defenders Beaten, 1 x 50/22, 5/5 Goal Kicking (100%). In only his 4th game for the Springboks at age 22

Manie Libbok must be kakking himself.

However, the award goes to flank Ben-Jason Dixon, who admirably filled Pieter-Steph du Toit's role. He was powerful with the ball in hand, rock-solid on defense, and also one of the try-scorers in the match. Exceptional Skill, athleticism, work rate and all round versatility. Ball Carries: 14, Metres Made: 82, Tackles: 10
Offloads: 3, Turnovers Won: 2, Tries: 1. What a game....

The game against Os Lobos was an opportunity for many Springboks players to make a statement and earn more playing time. Portugal gave their all in the match, however, they were outgunned and outmatched by a Bok team determined to finish the July internationals on a high note before the start of the 2024 Rugby Championship next month.

While the result may have been predictable, Portugal's strong start and commendable performance throughout most of the match were unexpected....Despite the 43-point difference on the scoreboard suggesting a comprehensive victory, the match wasn't as straightforward for the world champions.

Well done lads.

Have a great week

Peace

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Boks by 60 +

Here are my thoughts on Saturday's game played in Durban, as is customary.

After Test 1, South Africa looked for atonement, but in Test 2, Ireland had their own score to settle. They put on a tremendous first-half display, controlling the majority of collisions and breakdowns. Ireland led 16–6 at halftime thanks to a try by Conor Murray and 11 points from Jack Crowley's boot; the score did not accurately represent the hosts' difficulties outside of the scrums. For the majority of the first forty minutes, we were once again very kak.

But the World Champions made a comeback in the second half, and we adjusted by adopting a more kick-focused approach. The momentum shifted as Handre Pollard added six penalties to his three from the first half. However, Ireland persevered, as Ciaran Frawley emulated Ronan O'Gara—or, more appropriately, Johnny Sexton—by scoring two drop goals to clinch an incredible victory.

Jamie Osborne also shone at full-back. This tour, though not as successful as the historic New Zealand tour two years ago, demonstrated Ireland's resilience against a powerhouse nation on their home turf.

Much was made of the Springboks' new attacking approach, but Ireland matched our physical challenges. Siya Kolisi acknowledged the Irish dominance in physicality and intensity, which marked the difference between Tests 1 and 2. Ireland's breakdown efficiency and physical exchanges, exemplified by Joe McCarthy's maul steal, gave them the upper hand at critical moments.

In the 47th minute, a contentious incident occurred when Malcolm Marx was dangerously croc-rolled out of a ruck by Caelan Doris and James Ryan. The referee reviewed the play, and a Springboks player accurately described it as "career-ending," highlighting the dangerous nature of the tackle on Marx, who had recently returned from a long-term knee injury. The clearout was extremely dangerous, precisely the type of incident World Rugby is eager to eliminate, especially since the croc-roll has been entirely banned.

However, Doris' actions weren't upgraded to a red card—not incorrectly—but due to the "dynamics of the other player's actions," specifically referring to Ryan.....Ou Jakkalse die

Throughout both Tests, numerous fringe players and rookies stepped up in the most challenging venues, not only holding their own but excelling. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu deserves special mention - This kid was on fire. The 22-year-old has played in all three of South Africa's matches this year, making his debut off the bench as fly-half against Wales and also featuring in the first Test against Ireland. But two minutes into the series-deciding match between the Springboks and Ireland on Saturday in Durban, he was thrown into the deep end when Willie le Roux was substituted out after taking a blow to the head.

The Springboks may always have their four World Cup titles, but on Saturday in Durban, Ireland came to play and the better team won.
There was very little separating these two teams in a closely contested game. Now, we understand how it felt for the French, the English, and the Kiwis during the World Cup.

Even if we played better in the second half, we weren't at our best, and I still find it hard to believe that we lost the game.

Champions keep playing until they get it right.

Good luck for this week.

Peace

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Unchanged 23 from the 1st Test

Boks by 8

So as per normal here are my views on Saturdays game.

In a game that started strong for the Boks but got messier as it went on, the Springboks finally broke their eight-year losing streak against the world's number two team, and I might add the team that think that they are the World Champions. It wasn’t a masterpiece—more like a blooper reel of mistakes and missed opportunities.

However, a few moments of brilliance shone through. Kurt-Lee Arendse dazzled with a first-half try, only to be answered by James Lowe’s physics-defying play for Ireland’s opener. This guy defies physics so often, you’d think he has a degree in quantum mechanics. Magical, rare, and utterly captivating to see this lad play.

Poor Jamie Osborne, making his debut, got outfoxed by Arendse but later redeemed himself by assisting in Lowe’s genius move.

Standout players for me within the Boks setup were Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Rassie Erasmus finally notched his first win against Ireland, though it felt like his team tried their hardest to blow it at times, as Ireland staged a late comeback with tries from Conor Murray and Ryan Baird. Despite their valiant efforts in the last 10 minutes, the Boks could have sealed the deal much earlier if their handling had been sharper and Pollie kicked better. Both teams will be looking to clean up their act next weekend.

When Ireland faces South Africa, you know it’s going to be a massive hard grind, and Saturday’s clash didn’t disappoint. South Africa dominated but kept tripping over their own mistakes. It took Ireland 30 minutes to make a significant dent, Ireland spent less than three minutes in the Springbok 22, thanks to South Africa’s airtight defense, except for brief spells early on and in the dying moments.

Led by Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was just phenomenal, Ireland struggled in contact but excelled in spoiling tactics, managing nine steals despite being battered in collisions. At scrum time, Ireland’s Andrew Porter gave Vet Frans Malherbe a tough day, even matching the Bok set-piece for once. However, when the Bomb Squad entered, they steamrolled the Irish replacements, earning a penalty try. Salads never won a scrum before.

The Boks are continually tweaking their game, and Tony Brown’s influence is evident. With Handre Pollard back at 10, the Boks displayed more control and wider ball movement. Pollard in my opinion was pretty kak on the day I might add, Kicking Game being the biggest let down. Pollard's lackluster performance nearly led to South Africa's loss against Ireland.

The Boks were ruthless in defense near their line, but they struggled at the breakdown. Faf de Klerk had a tough time with Doris, Sheehan, and others making life difficult for out little Barbie.

This was perhaps because Kolisi and Du Toit were more focused on attacking duties and weren't always available to clean up.

The Bok scrum, until late in the game, also faced challenges, as Ireland more than held their own. There was some rustiness, and there's a lot of room for improvement.

The Week Ahead, South Africa, while winning ugly, will seek greater accuracy and full-game performance. Both teams will address their shortcomings ahead of next week’s match in Durban, hoping for a smoother, more fluid encounter at sea level.

The hope is that the exchanges will be of much higher quality at sea level next Saturday.

Until then Be safe, be kind as dont be a Doos

Peace

Get those predictions in for this weekend.

On average, the Boks score 18 points per match against Ireland.

My prediction is Boks by 6

Layman's terms of the 7/1 Split

Joh

So as per normal here are my views on yesterdays game.

Sasha Feinbergh had an impressive debut for the Boks, while Jordan Hendrikse's performance was underwhelming and pretty kak. Rassie Erasmus should have selected Siya Masuku as flyhalf, ahead of Jordan Hendrikse given his stellar season with the Sharks.

Finding a reliable backup for Pollard is crucial, and Feinbergh showed potential. Edwill van der Merwe also shined, scoring a debut try and earning Man of the Match with two crucial try-saving tackles.

With Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse absent, Van der Merwe seized his chance to shine, and boy did he SHINE. The Lions winger's performance included beating four defenders, making two clean breaks, running 71 meters, and completing all three tackle attempts. This performance has undoubtedly positioned him as a key player for the remainder of the season.

The Boks' strong second half was a testament to their halftime adjustments. Mngomezulu's composed performance at flyhalf and Fassi's excellence under high balls were highlights to me. The Weekend Special Aphelele Fassi, making his first start since 2022, showcased the form that earned him a recall, excelling under the high ball and adding a dynamic edge to the attack and kicks to the face.
With Damian Willemse out injured, Fassi's timing couldn't have been better.

Regarding the referee, his strict enforcement of the 'roll away' rule lacked common sense, his performance was pretty kak on the day as he killed the flow of the game.

Overall, the match was a valuable opportunity for Rassie to test young players, with mixed results. Some players rose to the challenge, while others did not. Nonetheless, it provided useful insights for future selections.

With Jasper Wiese suspended, Evan Roos had the opportunity to prove himself at No. 8. His performance was both positive and powerful. Well done young man.

The Springboks signaled a new attacking strategy for the upcoming Rugby World Cup cycle with a dominant victory. Demonstrating a commitment to quick, short passes between backs and forwards, the Boks' dynamic play directly contributed to showcasing a promising evolution in their gameplan.

Although there were some early-season hiccups, the coaching staff could be very satisfied with the overall performance.

The important thing is that we achieved our goal and the players who made their debuts showed that they are capable of playing at this level

Here's to a week of growth, learning, and tons of fun

Peace

Boks by 15 +

Get ready folks!

My prediction is the Boks will win by 15.

The Springboks are getting ready to take on Wales, and it's shaping up to be an exciting match. Coach
Rassie Erasmus will be announcing the squad soon, but in the meantime, let’s have some fun guessing the starting XV.

Think you know who’s going to make the cut? Share your predictions with us....

Stay tuned for the official lineup announcement and find out how spot-on your predictions were.

Have a great weekend

Peace!

As per normal loading ......

As the Springboks prepare to launch their 2024 season against Wales, one thing is clear: expect the unexpected. With a squad held together by bandages, hope, and a touch of Rassie's madness, this match could go down in history for all the right or wrong reasons.

Whether it’s a glorious victory or a spectacular failure, fans are in for a treat. After all, in the world of rugby, the only certainty is uncertainty – and a lot of mud & Brandy

Peace

Bokkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkke !!!!

So as per normal here are my view on last nights game.

It’s late on a Saturday night and you’re about to play a World Cup Final. In your legs you feel the heaviness of the past 3 games where we barely made it through. Your body has been bruised and knocked as a result of too many beers and shooters, your lungs emptied due to the 1800 puffs V**e I just bought. .... It's a good way to blow off steam right.

The Bokke is about to take to a pitch thousands of miles away from home, where our team could be 80 minutes away from the greatest victory.

And while some will be calm in front of others - My nerves were proper moertoe. My heart felt not so much in my chest as in my hands yesterday. I am carrying it along swiftly, as though I have become the messenger for what is going on inside me. The last couple of weeks have been rough on me. My Anxiety levels were through the roof thanks to the Bokke, last night was no different, tremors, racing heart, hyperventilation, muscle tension and mostly overthinking.

Positive self-talk, Music, Beer, Brandy, a few Urbanols and I was ready.

Now with the right mindset for optimal performance and plenty of practice from the previous 2 games, I was good to go. ....Can I get another Brandy please Mr. Waiter... Make that 3 please...

In a thrilling 2023 Rugby World Cup final played in the Stade de France in Paris, South Africa held on to defeat New Zealand, making history as the first team to win the competition four times. They overcame France on their home ground and dramatically defeated England by coming from behind. They had to defend their lead against an attacking All Blacks team, and they did so for their lives last night. It was simply forbidden for the All Blacks, the "poets" of rugby, to play.

The major hits did not come from anyone bigger than Du Toit; the Boks were vicious in every way, tackle after tackle. The winning team would always come from their defense, not from their skill in attacking.

There was no shortage of contentious decisions made by the officials in a thrilling Rugby World Cup final. Some were from the man in the center, Englishman Wayne (Doos) Barnes, who holds the record for most caps in a test referee, some from fellow Englishman Tom Foley (Hys aan die ander kant) , who was in the TMO box; and some of the largest originated from a foul play review bunker at Roland Garros, some few kilometers apart. (Kant en klaar)

The All Blacks were the minor favorites going into the match after defeating Argentina 44-6, while the Springboks advanced to the championship match on Saturday thanks to a last-minute penalty kick that gave them a tight 16-15 victory over England.

After defeating hosts France 29–28 in the quarterfinals and England 16–15 in the semifinals, the Springboks had won 2 straight games by a single point heading into the final.

The World Cup final did not live up to the high expectations of fans expecting an epic showpiece on a wet ground, but it was nonetheless packed with drama when New Zealand captain Sam Cane was given the first red card ever for a head-on collision after his yellow card was increased due to a bunker review. In a close race with a nail-biting conclusion, Shannon Frizell, Siya Kolisi, and Cheslin Kolbe also saw yellow.

Send your best wishes to Sam Cane, that's so tough on a man. New Zealand ought to be immensely proud of the bravery that these 14 men displayed last night.

The Springboks are an incredible group of players. They had a really difficult journey to the championship game, but they have consistently demonstrated that they are capable of winning. Pieter-Steph du Toit, has earned the title of man of the match with a fantastic performance in Paris. The "Malmesbury Missile" was something else last night, more like a man possessed.

A commanding effort from the back row, Pieter-Steph du Toit, recording the most tackles of any player during the game with 28. He only missed three times, an 88% success rate. An important factor in keeping South Africa in the game was a barnstorming defensive performance. "Moerse hits was aan die orde van die dag"

In addition, Pollard merits recognition for his flawless point scoring and effective match management.

South Africa held on despite a tense final few minutes and became the first men’s team to win four RWC titles, and only the second to have retained their title from the RWC before. They have never been beaten in a RWC final, and continue to be the only team who have beaten the All Blacks at that stage, now for the second time. Rugby is a game of narrow margins, and this championship match proved how true that statement is.

Our team represents the tenacity, resiliency, and unwavering spirit of South Africans. Never before has a team that was once the focal point of national division emerged again and time again to bring the country together and unite around a single flag, a single identity, and a national brand. The Springboks simply have no idea what it is to give up, It's anyone's guess how they manage to keep doing it.

That concludes my remarks, and the Rugby World Cup of 2023!

From beginning to end, the tournament has been spectacular, exhibiting all the things we adore about this most distinctive of games. The other 19 nations are anticipating what lies ahead in order to get ready for the 2027 edition, while the Springboks, as they did in 2019, take home the trophy. I hope to see you much sooner, but for now, please accept my kindest farewells.

Thank you so much for your support.

Peace

Booooooookkkkkkkkkke

Get those predictions in for the weekends final showdown.

"Wit Kant" by 10

Bokke by 7