Did Du Plessis Get Off Lightly?

First topic message reminder :

A lot has been made of Poite's mistake in the initial sin-binning of Bismark. So uncharacteristically apologetic were those responsible that Bismark's judicial hearing was quashed.

However contrast this simpering leniency with Flip van der Merwe's ban for an incident almost identical to Bismark's second offence and we are left wondering if the springboks talismanic hooker should be lining up against the All Blacks at all.

The All Blacks certainly don't think so and are openly questioning the validity of both Bismark's apparent let off and the tactics of the Springboks in general. Taking a look at the sheer number of incidents arising from the South African's famously physical style it's hard not to wonder if crossing the line isn't part and parcel of the tactics.

Greyling, Butch James, Burger, Botha, Etzebeth, Van Der Merwe and even Bismark himself are amongst the long list of Boks who seemed to believe that targeting All Blacks and other teams star players might be easier than besting them within the spirit of the law.

Will this weekends encounter be any different?

So has Cane really boosted his reputation? I remember many NZ fans thinking he was not a suitable replacement for McCaw, mostly due to his lack of physicality. From the sounds of things, he was extremely physical against the springboks.

And skillful 

Have the teams been announced? Is McCaw fit fit this one?

I imagine his performances have earned him the back row cover. Is Luatua covering lock and 6?

I remember Kaino took a while to impose himself physically. He added things to his game like carrying up the ball. Cane looks to have added things to his game. It's good to see but I wonder how close he was to following Vito and Weepu to work on aspects of their game. Shows how difficult it is to earn a spot in test rugby. Even with the Chiefs he was relegated often behind Latimer.

These opening exchanges will be furious. I envisage SA coming out strong so like in Eden Park they must absorb the pressure and take their own opportunities. SA will only grow in belief and performance if they can score early points.

Yeha Rory he was superb in the loose. The big weakness is his scrummaging though. You saw the tighthead side struggle against the Pumas-generally Cane was packing down that side. Cron's been helping him out to get his pushing technique down.

Doesn't matter though this weekend to answer Rodders' question. The King is fit.

Did Du Plessis get off lightly? I don't thinks so.
Is rugby in danger of getting soft and creating scope for soccer-style play actors? I hope not, but I have my concerns.

Case in point - SA vs AUS on the weekend: the only person who deserved a yellow was Vermeulen for the cynical slap down. the rest of the yellows, while technically the right call according to the letter of the law, were soft.

yes maybe the lifting of the elbow is just a habitual thing perhaps...just amongst the one side of course.

Du Plessis did not get off lightly imo, on the contrary I feel he got off with more than he had coming disciplinary-wise. If you're that concerned with the odd badly-positioned elbow or arm from which no serious consequences emerge then frankly I'm surprised you follow this particular sport as much as you do. In other words these things are virtually inevitable at this level of contact... deal with it.

perhaps a point knowsit and perhaps its just bad luck that just the one side seems to be having these badly positioned elbows...another out for this match...