Andre the Giant is available for selection as he’s signed with Sharks…

So cool! Thanks for doing the video I requested. I like the team, I would maybe just put Jessie Kriel in at 13 to keep the continuity in the midfield, especially with Fassi at FB because his defence does not convince me and Jessie is a defensive beast. Would also prefer Kwagga and PSTD in the starting line-up and Dixon and Phepsi on the bench and both given the 2nd half to see what they can do. Hopefully no more injuries before the Ireland tests!!

Broadly I agree but I think it’s time to be bold at #10 by playing Siya M. He’s earned it and Mani’s form has been hit and miss recently. If Siya M played well that could be the answer to developing another solid fly half over the next few years.

As a South African I couldn't agree more and your arguments on why you chose certain players makes so much sense.

Interesting exercise. I like your thought process and I have to admit that I am really interested in seeing how well Hooker, Buthelezi and Fouche make the transition. The question of Fassi's defence needs to be answered and Wales provides a very good test for the many players looking to debut for the Boks, a team that never really goes away but also one that is in a transitional phase. Masuku needs a run and if not against Wales then definitely against Portugal.

Well thought out selection.

Loving our depth! And a pretty well balanced team you picked

I’d probably do 9 - Williams 10 - Masuku 12 - Andre 13 - kriel and Marx at 2 to get game time

Very constructive look at things! You have explained and backed up your choices with great thought and logic. Good beans and look forward to the game.👍💪

Good reasoning. Wouldn't be upset if this is the team our coaches went with but I'd make a few changes. At hooker I'd go for Marx, he hasn't played much rugby and needs to be assessed for a solid 50 mins. Venter at 16, we know what Bongi offers. I'd swap Buthelezi and Roos around. They're interchangeable but Roos is the better 8 and Buthelezi is the better 6 (in my humble opinion). Masuku at 10 with Faf, so as to get a feeling for directing the Bok attack, whilst having experience to guide him. I'd also swap Fassi and Mngomezulu around. Sacha has a big boot, solid on defence, intelligent and has a great counter attack. Libbok is good, but we needs to get used to pressure and perform when called upon. In other words 1. Ox 2. Marx 3. Malherbe 4. Eben 5. Mostert 6. Buthelezi 7. BJ Dixon 8. Roos 9. Faf 10. Masuku 11. Mapimpi 12. De Allende 13. Hooker 14. vd Merwe 15. Sacha 16. Venter 17. Mchunu 18. Fouche 19. PSDT 20. Kwagga 21. Williams 22. Hendrickse 23. Weekend Special

To me the back 3 defence is a wee bit weak. would replace Fassi with Sacha. Gives you a bit more.

Springboks need to send the greatest squad that they have ever sent to a world cup in 2027. It basically has to be a dream team that they have to send to Australia. We are going to have to build squad depth like never before. This may be the first time in SA Rugby where we would be able to have 4 world class players in each position in the Springboks squad and have maybe 2-3 different teams within the springbok squad/system that could compete and beat any tear 1nation. We have the coaching staff and the player pool.

Love the squad - only change for me would be Siya to replace Jordan

I absolutely love this team selection.

would be super excited to see what Ethan Hooker can do in a Bok setup. Also I'd 100% have Siya Masuku at 10 and drop Hendrikse from the bench for another forward...6-2 split. Plus if Esterhuizen is available because of signing for the Sharks, I'd have him in at 12 as he and Hooker will likely get some game time together in the near future...

Can you please make a southern hemisphere dream team 1st team and second

thank you.the No8 question is one mans decision ,,Thor. .You're astute to pick those playing in the Japan league is spot on. Are they up to scratch?Rassie stated he looks at the 'involvement stats' as an indicator for team selection,,. i wonder if the new coaches have changed his mind there. Imagine the Boks having a @marcus smith/dmac clone who thinks 2000mph? ITs who rassie leaves on for the end of the game that brings a peek at the future.

There's also a game against Portugal before ABs so young experimental players will be risked there.

Can't wait for all the games to come! Excited to see how the springboks perform after the world cup!

Decent team, Marx and Bongi both have to play for at least 20min to ready for Ireland. Pull a Rassie, play AHV for 40min, Marx for 20min and Bongi for 20min and drop Hendrikse from the bench. Starting 6. Kwagga, 7. BJD and 8. Roos. Pepsi on the bench plus PSDT. Definitely want to see Hooker and Fassi get a run. 2 for the future.

No Malcolm Marx, strange ??????

I'd put Siya in for Jordan. Sasha is cover for 15. I'd move Ethan to 12 and put Kriel at 13, which he was exceptional at during the World Cup, and to get extra cover for 15. Ethan is too inexperienced to defend at 13. I'd also swap Dixon for Smith, just to get more pace into the pack. Otherwise I'm happy.

I would take siya masuku and not hendrik se on bench

Where possible the absolute best must start to get some game time together before Ireland. Experimentation & blooding of others can happen v Portugal & other select games throughout season. Ox, Marx, Malherbe Eben, Mostert Kwagga, PSDT, Roos Faf, (Manie/Masuku) DDA, Kriel Mapimpi, (Edwil/Fassi) Sasha or (Fassi)

I recon Marx would start for even country other than Ireland and maybe france, but would be in contention. Mbonambi would probably start for anyone other than Ireland, France and Argentina, but in contention in Argentina.

I would’ve thought that Andre Esterhuizen is available as he is no longer a Quins player. And for the leicester players yes they’re not available i believe but i don’t get why, the season is over isn’t that just being difficult for no reason. I get the clubs don’t want their players being injured but they are going to join the squad straight after that game so what’s the point.

Kwagga deserves a start

As a Sharks fan it’s great to see Hooker on there. He was such a great addition to the team. Masuku is just too good to not be in the match day squad. He will be wasted against portugal

Great selection, although I'm sure that Marx will be involved, possibly with Bongi being rested.

Your thought process makes a lot of sense. Only change I would make is Siya for Manie. If Siya/Faf doesn’t work we should know now rather than in a bigger test.

I am hoping for a lot of new faces. The old guys are there for training and backup if new guys can't cut it. Wales and Portugal are teething matches, so we are ready for nz and Ireland

I was thinking more your experimental direction but thinking about it more I think the final team will be much more settled and experienced for Wales, being the last/first time the guys will get match time together before Ireland. Marx will start just to get some game time, Pieter Stef usually doesn't come off the bench and will almost certainly start, probably along side Kwagga and Roos. Interesting call re Hooker, as it's the one place that yes, maybe they could afford some experimenting. Wouldn't be surprised if we see Kriel there along side DDA though. Mapimps and Kolbe on the wings with some forced experimenting at fullback, so probably Fassi. Wouldn't be surprised seeing Horn there though.

Good team, lets see how close you got whe the team is announced

I think Grobbelaar is ahead of Venter in the pecking order, just listening to Rassie talk about them.

Nothing wrong with your Hooker reasoning but Marx will start. Needs the game time before Ireland. As for Fly Half, I REALLY hope youre wrong. Has to be Masuku. Did you see Manny against Glasgow? Shocking. It pains me to say this because I've been such a fan, but he just can't be relied on.

I think Rassie is going to toss some curved balls into the mix. He likes to put in-experienced players in the pressure cooker and see who comes through.

Andre the Giant is available for selection against Wales because he has finished up at Harlequins and he is returning to a SA club.

This match is to sort out next gen prospects and id depth potential. That's why 5 flyhaves. I hope Masuku gets a run.

We need 4 guys in each position that are world class for next world cup. This is step one in building that

Quan Horn needs to be be somewhere on that team sheet, but brilliant team selection.

I will keep most of the players that will play against Ireland in Pretoria and get them use to the altitude.

Not a bad team but I'm not sure Phepsi has the size at international level. I wouldnt even put Manie in the 23 - he has been given enough opportunity and just cannot lift his kicking to international level - and there are no other international level kickers in your team. Besides almost costing the Boks the World Cup, he has recently brought his kicking inconsistency to the Stormers. Cant play international rugby without a kicker. I think Siya made something like 28 of his last 29 kicks, many under pressure and from the sideline - he needs to be there. If Fassi sorts out his tackling, he could be the best no.15 in the world, hoping he can do that.

Marx hasn't played rugby since round 1 of RWC. I don't know how you don't give him game time prior to a massive series against Ireland.

Marx has to play. Not played since WC & can't go into Ireland cold. He's an absolute must to get minutes

Put siya m. In for no 10

Andre esterhuizen is available due to him moving to the sharks next season

Interesting approach but Dr Rassie's team will look completely different 🇿🇦 This will be a complete warmup game with mostly players that will face Ireland,.. that I can guarantee you.

As a South African I like the team. I would however start with Marx for the fact that he hasn’t played awhile so this is the chance to get ready for Ireland. I can’t see him handing a cap yet to AHV just because there are so many other hookers in the pecking order not least Johan Grobbelaar. I think this was just to give AHV exposure to the team environment. Can’t argue with the rest of the pack. I do disagree with the halfbacks. Manie Libbok is terrible in northern hemisphere fields so I think Erasmus will go with the sharks combination of Masuku and Grant Williams and bring on Faf de Klerks experience to finish the game. I like the look of the rest of the back line, I’d definately give Ethan Hooker a go

One thing I noticed about Ethan Hooker is he has serious gas! Decent team.

Please Jesus, anyone but Manie libbok

Good team you got kwagga and pstd to right the ship if thimgs go haywire

Too much uncapped players so Ben Jason dixon is great butt must start of the bench he can play lock and flanker.Evan roos a agree .

Where is Jesse Kriel?

Think we wont see nearly as much changes as you suggest. Pretty sure Marx will get minutes. Du Toit, Kriel probably start too.

Masuku over Hendrickse & Mngomezulu

Start buying rugby balls for Roos and Fassi to take home. Maybe, just maybe that might rid them of their selfishness to die with ball in hand.

Sits Maseko "¿

Kwagga and PSDT will start… there is no way they won’t start against wales…

I would like to see Siya replace Libbok ... he lacks BMT and you cant teach that .. better we cut him now and focus on Siya and Sacha

I would definitely find a spot for Masuku. Between Him and Bob (short for Sasha Nmgomezulu Fineberg), they are out future at 10. Try as I might, I cannot get over the constant wobbles that Libbik shows in crucial games.

Go bokke.

Love the channel but pronunciation needs a spot of work

At least Wales have a chance of winning.Ireland have no chance.

1. Ox 2. Bongi 3. Frans 4. Elizabedi 5. Mossie 6. Roos 7. PSDT 8. Kwagga 9. Faf 10. Manie 11. Vd Merwe 12. Esterhuizen. 13. De Allende 14. Kriel 15. Weekend Special 16. Marx 17. Mchunu 18. Fouche 19. Moerat 20. Buthelezi 21. Williams 22. Hooker 23. Sacha. This will be the first test of the WORLD CUP WINNERS. A must win. Portugal test is where the new caps can get a run out.

the last time SA picked a team that inexperienced, they lost to a very poor Wales side.

New players or inexperienced players at test level must start in their strongest positions. Roos is an eight and I won't start him at six unless the plan is to make that his permanent position. If not he must play 8. Sacha is a flyhalf than can play center and fullback. I won't put Sacha on the bench unless he is going to cover flyhalf.

Good attempt and love the video...but this team is pap.

The only reason you want Manie Libbok in our team is because you are not Saffa and want us to loose. Libbok cant kick a ball under pressure. Nobody has faith in that guy and he will be undoing for as long as he plays for the bokke

We are in trouble

Very constructive look at things! You have explained and backed up your choices with great thought and logic. Good beans and look forward to the game.👍💪