Bordeaux-Bègles : Penaud malade, dix changements pour accueillir Bayonne

I’d like to see Henco van Wyk get a chance at 13. Moodie too once he rediscovers some form.

I think Damian Willemse will feature a bit at 12. Depending on how Fassi comes along as an out and out FB and injuries. I also think SFM may feature at 12. Starting alongside Manie Libbok.

Am, Kriel and Ensterhuisen are all 30. No reason why they can’t play to 33.

I can see a World Cup match with the following backline quite easily:

9 - Jaden Hendrikse

10 - Manie Libbok

11 - KLA

12 - Sacha

13 - Canan Moodie

14 - Cheslin Kolbe

15 - Damian Willemse

21 - Grant Williams

22 - Handre Pollard

23 - Aphelele Fassi

Rest of the backline in the squad:

Jesse Kriel

Lukhanyo Am

Faf de Klerk

Grant Esterhuisen

Players left at home:

Jordan Hendrikse

Henco van Wyk (or drop Am/Kriel)

Morne van Rensburg (or drop faf)

Edwil (or drop KLA/Cheslin/Moodie)

Etc

Etc

Yes, Sititi looks the business. All the basics down, a sensible head on him and a bit of X factor. Very mature for a 22 yr old. Roigard to get back and going too. That will get them ticking. Glad to see Oz step it up too. The ABs best win yet under razors although it felt a little closer than a 20 PT game.

It will just be club rugby for the Ireland players until the Nov series. The test players will get rested a bit so they'll just be match fit and no more.

I think the England game will be big for the ABs. Win, lose or draw it will soften them up a little (hopefully) then they've us on a six day turn around. Tough going but they're top end athletes all the same.

Weather is typically shite. Evening kick off on the Friday. Probably chilly and a bit frosty. Doesn't really advantage either team I suppose.

Hope both squads stay fully fit and we get the best of both of them. Theres no silverware at stake and most just consider them high tempo friendlies, but I love the Nov series. NH V SH. That simple. Recently been a super standard of rugby.

Enjoy the build up fella, and win or lose, let your hangover be a memorable one! Go easy.

With their Mums.

(This is interchangeable between South Africa, New Zealand and a number of other countries that are represented in the Scotland squad)

Because it’s a very specific at a specific point in time number. Or do you mean average age?

Because the median age of the Bok team that went to Argentina would be different to the median age that went to Australia. So at what point in time did you get this median age - or where is your source?

Manie Libbok went to the WC with 8 caps if I recall Correctly. He’s already on 16. SFM is already on 8. Damian is well on his way and so is Pollard. Siya is one player I have advocated for. Jordan Hendrikse is my latest.

SFM and Manie will easily amass 30 tests each. Easily.

Apart from Japan and possibly Italy, if there any unforeseen concerns with the team Scott Robertson won't be giving many, if any "rookies" a call up to play England, Ireland and France.

Go the All Blacks...they're not going over there for a holiday...