@SidBarret said in Los Pumas vs Springboks:
Re Koch - I would prefer they go with an extra tight-head. 1) Nyakane can cover both sides so going in with 2 and half of each gives us more scope to manage the props' workload and 2) I really don't rate Malherbe and would like to have the option of dropping him from the strongest side.
But I think they will go with Gqoboka to help with the "numbers". Gqoboka is a great player who is unfortunate to be behind Kitshoff and Beast. It wouldn't be an undeserved selection, but probably not the best thing for the team.
If Dyanti can prove form and fitness he will probably take Nkosi's spot I think.
I see England have gone with only two scrumhalves and for a pool game Kolbe is fine as cover, but come the knock out rounds I would be super nervous about a scrummy going down in the week before the game. Also, like the with the props, the reserve scrumhalf with get plenty of minutes in pool rounds, so it would be nice to rotate Jantjes and De Klerk out of the 23.
You mention bringing in a another loosie, but it is case of who? It seems weird to say this, but where are the big blidside/8s at the moment? Smith, Louw, Kolisi and Coetzee are all primarily opensides. I am a little concerned about the minutes that Vermeulen and Du Toit will have to play. Whiteley is confirm as being out (I think) and the Du Preez brothers seem to be out of the mix. Rassie is having a look at Elstadt, but I just don't see it.
While we differ a bit on some calls - I can't fault your logic.
To add to your thoughts on loosies: Elstadt wouldn't be a good call for me either. And I am not a fan of the du Preez brothers. Even if Whiteley was fit in time - and this seems unlikely - he doesn't easily balance the loose trio although he at least gives the squad a second specialist no. 8. What has happened to our other blindside bruisers?!
