SA forwards.

I am watching the semi final between Saracens and Toulon and noticed there are a high number of South African born forwards in the match.


Saracens
John Smit
Schalk Brits
Ernst Joubert
Allister Hargreaves

English qualified
Matt Stevens
Mauritz Botha


Toulon
Joe van Nieker
Bakkies Botha
Danie Eossouw

That is almost half of the total forwards in this match.

Quite extraordinary don't you think?

Do you guys think it is symptomatic of the depth we have in forwards?

I certainly think so.

That is a crazy number, but all the top teams in europe seem to have at least one SA forward.

If those proposed changes for Super rugby from the other article do come in will it mean less players leaving or a lower quality of player playing in the Super comp?

It could mean less leaving as many of the youngsters leaving are going abroad because there is no regular spot for them at Super Rugby.

I hope anyway.

It will definitely weaken the European comps and strengthen SA as more positions become available for competition in the 8 teams.
Still, there'll be players (mostly at the end of their careers) continuing to play in Europe but as BB says maybe less overall.

A bit of an arm wrestle that first half. Thought Toulon were more dominant early but Sarries getting some more territory and good field position late in the half.

Weirdly enough there aren't too many SA backs on show.Funny that!

Taffineastbourne wrote:Weirdly enough there aren't too many SA backs on show.Funny that!

we don't have backs, just forwards, kickers and defensive machines only

Well Biltong we have only one Bok at Tigers and if it helps you out we'll be gracious and send Rob Andrew back to SA. He's been feck all use all season. If you want to send over a talented young prop by way of thanks that would be nice.

We actually don't have good props mate, we are seriously short on quality tight heads.

That's unusual for SA. There seems to be a general problem finding tightheads these days. Are the big boys growing up prefering lazier options like computer games and tv?

SA seem to have a never ending dept of good forwards.

Bilt - whilst we're talking about good Saffer forwards, what can you tell me about Pieter Labuschagne (Cheetahs) and the excellently named Wimpie van der Walt (Kings)?

They both lead the Super 15 tackle count by miles and I've never heard of them. Are they youngfellers?

George, Lappies Labuschagne is a youngster, he just turned 24 at the beginning of the year, although he has played for the Cheetahs in the past two years, he has really only come into form this year, he has one hell of a work rate, and very much in the mold of Juan Smit.

I personally think he has a big future.

Wimpie v d Walt has the credentials, SA schools, Craven week, played for the Western Province U21's and is only 24 years old.

Problem though is we have plenty of backrowers, perhaps with the retirement of Juan Smit, and the non selection of Heinrich Brussow one of these two will get a shot at the Green and Gold.

Excellent summary Biltong.

We'll have the other one to replace John Barclay in that case. Are you listening, Sean Lineen??