Jon Cardinelli

Took me a minute to figure that one out!😅

Interesting Springbok team selected for the Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies, although not entirely surprising given the conditions on the highveld.

After all the debate on 8, Kolisi will wear the jersey. 5-3 bench, made for speed!

How the Springboks’ No 10 options will keep the All Blacks guessing With three strong options to start at fly-half, the Springboks' unpredictability will make life harder for their Rugby Championship opponents.

Check out my full analysis for @RugbyPassPlus on what promises to be a fascinating and potentially season-defining set of selections.

Tests against Aus will be important, but the Boks will show their tactical hand at Eden Park next month.
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Perhaps that uncertainty and the possibility of differing pictures and scenarios is the point.

If the All Blacks don’t know what to expect, they will have to plan for every possible selection.

Does that make the Boks predictable ahead of the Auckland showdown?

Hardly.

We don't know whether Pollard will play 80 (and whether Rassie will pick 7 forwards and Sacha/Willemse on the bench).

We don't know whether he will use SFM/Libbok to start and Pollard to finish.

Pollard's been the Boks' most reliable goal-kicker in this cycle, and who could forget those clutch kicks at the 2023 RWC.

Libbok missed a big one in Arg last year. SFM is potentially the most rounded 10, but consistency not there yet.

Boks need Pollard on the park at the death

But all three Bok No 10s have their strengths/ weaknesses.

And right now, Rassie might focus on who's the best player to finish at Eden Park – ie close out the game/kick the winning goal.

Pollard fits the bill, but the question of whether he starts or finishes is complicated.

At a glance, Rassie has spread the workload across the 'marquee games' – but consider the performances in those big matches.

All of the 10s had their moments.

Pollard steered the ship v Ireland and NZ; Sacha dazzled in 3 consecutive Tests in TRC; Manie was the man v England...

But more should be read into selections for the ‘marquee Tests’.

These go a long way towards answering the hypothetical question: Who would start/finish if the RWC final was staged this Saturday?

In the context of this season, that ‘final’ will be staged at Eden Park next month

Erasmus’ recent statement can be taken at face value when you consider that Pollard, Libbok and SFM have all enjoyed starts over the course of the current RWC cycle...

Who will start (and finish) at No 10 for the Springboks in the 'final' at Eden Park next month?

Erasmus recently stated that he has no intention of installing one of Pollard/Libbok/SFM as first-choice.

Past selections show how the workload has been shared, but also offer up some clues🧵

Women's rugby in SA has come a long way over the past five years. Taking recent results and this squad into account, the Bok Women are well placed to make history at the RWC in England.

SA U18 claim a 43-21 win over France in Durbanville.

The real story is the SA scrum: forced a series of penalties, got one French tighthead hooked and another sin-binned.

Re back row, like the look of Jacobus de Villiers. Also been immense for Oakdale, SWD this season

South Africa U18 are 31-0 up against France at HT.

Bossing the scrums, lineouts and mauls. Big contributions by the front row, No 8 Gert Kemp as well as the wrecking ball Ethan Adams.

France battling to live with SA at the tackle and set pieces... scrum leaking penalties

Skelton and co pose physical test for underdone Boks OPINION: The Springboks look set for a timely physical challenge against a Will Skelton-inspired Wallabies side over the next two weeks.

The Springboks look set for a timely physical challenge over the next two weeks.

Unfortunately for the Wallabies, injuries have depleted their front row stocks.

This will leave them vulnerable at scrum-time – and possibly detract from their overall forward effort.

rugby365.com/opinion/skel...

Epic SA schools final in Paarl, with Boishaai finishing with a flourish.

Special mention for Gym, too, after the season they've had (13 wins, 2 draws, one loss)

(Re)stating the obvious, but Markus Muller has a bright future. 36 tries in 2025 and his goal-kicking was great today

Redemption for Paarl Boys, after last season's derby loss!

Takes their 2025 record to 16 wins, 1 loss – which includes wins vs Grey and Gimmies.

Never gave up, even when 12 points down in the national final. Big composure/physicality.

Deserve the win, and the No 1 ranking.

Boishaai refuse to go away – already a statement, after losing 30-8 to Gimmies last year.

Winning the collisions, and making those 22 entries count, big time. 14-7 up.

Game living up to the billing of national final so far.

Such a tight contest in Paarl... and then Quintin Potgieter and Markus Muller link up on the counter-attack. Try No 36 for the season for the Gimmies captain.

Fair points... I think that for all the debate around selections and ref calls, Wallabies players should be kicking themselves for letting a 23-5 lead slip in that second Test

Not sure re availability, but there's no denying Skelton and Tupou take them to another level.

However, Boks in SA are a completely different propect... especially for an Aus side that hasn't won here since 2011

Deserved win for Aus. Physically superior, tactics spot on in the conditions.

Can't help but wondering whether the state of the series influenced the Lions' physical/mental approach.

For all the "3-0" talk, Lions were never going to be as desperate to win the scraps in Sydney.

The more I watch Will Skelton, the more disappointed I am that he missed the first Test...

Completely different contest with the big guy in the mix... Physically giving it to the Lions. Much needed in a series like this

Paarl rivals to joust for national schools title SPOTLIGHT: Paarl Boys will have a point to prove when they meet Paarl Gymnasium this Saturday in a derby that will double as an unofficial national final.

The Paarl derby is always a big occasion, attracting some 20,000 spectators as well as a legion of viewers through the respective broadcast and streaming channels.

This year, the derby will double as a national final.

My take on 'Interskole' and other big games in SA.
rugby365.com/schools/news...

Bomb Squad licking their lips after weak Wallabies finish OPINION: Australia's late capitulation in Melbourne will give second-half specialists South Africa food for thought ahead of next month's Rugby Championship double-header.

Australia’s late capitulation in Melbourne will give second-half specialists South Africa food for thought ahead of next month’s Rugby Championship double-header.

rugby365.com/opinion/bomb...

WP have conceded 4 tries and 3 cards in first 30 mins.. hosts in trouble at the CT stadium.

Bulls pack on fire, Nama Xaba and co look hungry for more points

Was always going to be tough for a young Sharks side at Ellis Park, but did not see them losing 46-5...

Good start to the Currie Cup by the Lions – Renzo du Plessis, Jarod Cairns and new signing Angelo Davids among the standouts.

Awesome comeback by the Lions.

23-5 down, never panicked. Big defensive shift and pack stood tall in second half.

Much better by the Wallabies this week, but will be kicking themselves after racing to an early lead.

Whatever the result, this has been a proper Lions Test match. Nothing short of epic

Absolutely agree Skelton and Valetini are the difference, but in comparing the two benches I still think the Wallabies offer a bit more