SF 2 - South Africa vs Wales

Look, I also am also not massive fans of many of the players in the current SA team and am very biased towards Lions players. Heck, I would personally drop more than half of the current Springbok side in favour of players I prefer (mostly Lions), but then again my team would play an entirely different gameplan and also probably not be in the World Cup final.

So luckily I am not the coach and I have started to give credit where credit is due as Rassie has done more than I would be able to achieve in my wildest dreams. We also need to realize Rassie plays a different game plan to that of the Lions, NZ, etc. So while a player is good in one team with a specific gameplan, doesn't mean he will be good in another team with another gameplan.

The following is a list of players I wouldn't even have in my WC squad, but have proved that they deserve to be there:

- Damian De Allende : probably the form inside centre at this world cup, his defence is outstanding, his workrate excellent (at rucks), he has great positioning, makes meters with every run and scored an insane try vs Wales. Also manages to make excellent steals/penalties from rucks when within our 22. Fits perfectly with Rassie's game plan. It is hard for me to believe how I used to mock this guy, just a few months ago even. I feel ashamed.

- Lukanyo Am : Great defence, high workrate and also steals a few balls at rucks/disrupts ball from opposing runners arms. Deceptively quick and runs good lines.

- Siya Kolisi : Just like we don't understand how the other SA franchises don't see the value in some of our players from past (or present) such as WW / Tecklenburg / Mostert, he has a great workrate and pops up at almost all the rucks, which makes fans not notice him as he doesn't steal the show as he always has his head in a ruck to disrupt the opponents ball and slow it down. The Springboks don't always try to steal the ball, which is strange for me and not in line with the teams I support, however it works for us as those few seconds he disrupts at every ruck is vital for our defence line to get back in shape. Also manages to make at least one or two monster hits every game.

- Vermeulen : Makes a lot of meters every game (most of the semi), excellent ball control at scrums, great in defence and also manages a few monster hits. Not my type of eighthman, but fits the Springboks gameplan like a glove.

- Frans Malherbe : I was pleasently surprised by his stats this past weekend and another player one doesn't always see, but manages to do the unseen dirty work. Has been solid in the scrums at the world cup thus far.

- Mbonambi : Punches above his weight. Excellent line out throwing and great in the mauls. Allround solid player. I also prefer him to start above Marx (even though I rate Marx much higher) as it allows Marx to really thrive against tired the tired opponents in the second half. It is an 80 minute game with 23 man teams go watch Eddie Jones' response to a question about him "dropping" Ford last week, then you will start to understand this reasoning of Marx being on the bench. I only understood why Marx doesn't start after seeing Eddie's response as well to be honest.

- Lood De Jager : Just like Mostert, he tackles everything that moves (see his stats for this year's SR with the Bulls), very solid in general play and excellent target in the lineouts.

- Kolbe : while he would have been in my starting team for evey game this year, we all laughed at his selection last year (me included). Oh boy how he shut us up pretty quickly. Probably the best wing in the world at the momenbt. Great under the high ball, in defence, in attack, has a good boot on him, even tries to counter ruck at times. And manages to make some intercepts and score some ridiculous tries. What more can one want from your wing?

- some other players like Beast, Pollard, Mapimpi, Nkosi, Francois Louw, etc. all proved themselves during the past few games. Maybe weird with Beast starting, but it is the same situation as with Mbonambi. Rassie is ahead of his time with the use of his bench and his selection of a match 23 instead of just loading your starting 15 with the best. I love the term "Bomb Squad" and also fits in with Eddie Jones' comments. Seems as though the two best and tactically astute coaches made it to the final.

Then, there are a few player who I would still not choose, but because of the turnaround of the past two years, I trust Rassie has his reasons. This is players such as Willie Le Roux, Jesse Kriel (injured) & Eben.

Engeland was baie Goed Saterdag. Ons was nie goed teen Wallis nie, maar tog effektief.

Ek dink Engeland het volgens hul potensiaal gespeel, en ons nie. Ons kan baie verbeter, maar ek weet nie of Engeland hulle game nog vreeslik kan lig nie. As elke springbok volgens sy vermoe speel, kan ons hulle wen.

100% , if you look at my 11/15 analysis . They panicked !!!

Die AB's het juis baie kritiek gekry oor hul te veel ou manne in die span gehad het, wat toe op n stadium begin kleitrap het. 

Praat jy van Richie Mo'unga op 10? Hy het 14 test caps..

Stem oor Barret, daai trick het nie gewerk nie. Dink Eng het net uitstekend gespeel op die dag, en die AB's nie kans gegee om in die game te kom nie. Ek hoop ook maar hulle tank is leeg na daai game..

Weet nie of julle manne die deal gesien het van Sonnybil nie dis 'n span in canada as hy dit vat is hy die beste betaalde rugby en rugby league spelers 6.2miljoen dollar vir 'n twee jaar kontrak dis so tussen 80 en 90 miljoen rand lekker aftrede pakket