Dylan Jack

Not bad with my predictions so far.
One point off with France vs Argentina and seven off from the Springboks (thought it would get scrappy at some stage, which it did).
All Blacks will probably win by way more than 20, though.

Mission accomplished for the Boks in 2024.

Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup titles in the bag.

3/3 in the NH.

Record of 11-2 (85%) – best outside of a RWC year since 2013.

Fair to say the best team in the world has improved. They're not done yet, if you look at their depth...

#ManCity have conceded 14 goals in their last five games

#Tottenham are the first side to win a #PremierLeague away game vs. #ManCity by 4 or more goals since Pep Guardiola took charge.

2024 has been the best year for the Springboks (outside of a RWC year) for over a decade.
The amount of depth created, while winning the Rugby Champs, Freedom Cup and going 3/3 on tour, and growing the attacking threat.
Superb.

Springboks could have put 60 on the board with a more accurate performance, but still a solid seven-try victory in Cardiff.
11 out of 13 wins in 2024, 51 players used, 3/3 on tour for the first time since 2013.
Really can't argue with that.

You know you're facing one hell of a squad when they lose a World Cup final-winning lock, only to replace him with a World Rugby player of the year nominee. #Springboks #rugby

Late change for the Boks.

Will boost the starting pack, and change the Bomb Squad dynamic (2 loosies instead of 2 locks).

With Marco van Staden also on the bench, Hanekom more likely to play 7/8.

Van Staden listed at 19 as a straight swap for Eben.. wonder if he will wear Eben's shirt too 😅

Another late change to the Springbok lineup.
Jean Kleyn ruled out with a niggle.
Eben Etzebeth promoted to the starting lineup, with Marco van Staden called up to the bench.

Dublin native Mark O'Keeffe gets his first start for the US against Spain on Saturday.

O'Keeffe made his debut off the bench in last weekend's win over Tonga.

He played on same St. Michael's team as likes of James Ryan, Dan Leavy, and Ross Byrne. Leinster U19s and Connacht U20s cap too.

Some big rumour mill discussion in the Irish Examiner this morning courtesy of Simon Lewis:

It is believed that Felix Jones won’t be allowed join a Tier 1 nation this year, but could go to a club in the interim

Munster perhaps… 👀

'One's willing to bark, the other's got bite': The flavour Hendrikse brothers bring to Welsh Test | Sport The Hendrikse brothers may be as different as one can imagine, but they will be on the same page when they become the first Bok brothers to start a Test since Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis in 2015.

"Jaden's beard and unkempt hair have always made him look like a philosophy student who's strayed to the base of a ruck, while the strapping Jordan looks every bit like a product of the elite athlete environment he's grown up in."
Excellent piece by Sim Xabanisa.
www.news24.com/sport/rugby/...

Rugby : Damian Penaud victime d'une infection pulmonaire et absent jusqu'à début décembre L'ailier de l'équipe de France a été contraint de renoncer aux trois tests de l'équipe de France en raison d'une infection pulmonaire. Il devrait être opérationnel avec l'UBB pour le début de la Coupe...

France's Damian Penaud sidelined until early December with a lung infection, rather than a Jalibertian conspiracy theory

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...

Ackermann returns to SA in coaching consultancy role Former Springbok lock and SA 'A' head coach Johan Ackermann will return to South Africa after seven years abroad to add his considerable experience to the Junior Springbok squad in the capacity as coa...

Super exciting to have Johan Ackermann back coaching in SA. The Junior Boks will benefit massively from his IP.
SA U20s now have a reinforced coaching staff, should be much better next year.
www.springboks.rugby/news-feature...

Pick 'em: Boks cruise in Cardiff, Scots bounce Wallabies The Boks complete a perfect tour with a ruthless win in Wales, while Scotland halt Australia's resurgence, according to the SARugbymag.co.za team.

Predictions for this weekend's big games:
France by 15 (this might be Argentina's one bad game of their tour)
Springboks by a conservative 26
New Zealand by 20
Scotland by 7
www.sarugbymag.co.za/pick-em-boks...

Everything I've read about Ruben Amorim means that, at the very least, this won't be boring.
Cannot wait to see what he does with this squad. It's way better than where it is on the log.

Manchester United fans, it's OK to be excited about Ruben Amorim Supporting United is supposed to be an entertaining escape from the monotony of day-to-day life, rather than something that adds to it

Manchester United fans, it's OK to be excited about Ruben Amorim: Supporting United is supposed to be an entertaining escape from the monotony of day-to-day life, rather than something that adds to it

YouTube video by Squidge Rugby France v New Zealand | Autumn Nations Series 2024

France and the All Blacks played out a classic this weekend, Les Bleu holding out for a record victory. We sat down to dig into the game, where it was won, where it was lost, tactical trends, and what this means for both teams...
youtu.be/xZmm3-nFeHM

RFU to announce record losses of up to £40m Exclusive: Deficit understood to be largest sustained by an English sports governing body and will increase pressure on CEO Bill Sweeney

Exclusive 🚨

I understand, in the next month, that the RFU will announce a record loss of over £35million, pushing up to £40m, for the 2023/24 financial year.
www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

7 changes to the Springbok lineup to face Wales:
- Hendrikses to become the 36th pair of brothers to start together for the Boks.
- Recalls for Grobbelaar, Du Toit, Kleyn, Mostert and Louw.
- Cameron Hanekom set for his debut as part of a 6-2 split.

Let's try this out and see how it goes.