'Scary things' have Scotland on edge for the opener with Australia

Just so we can reference and draw parallels with a team that’s clearly on the road to dominating?

Let me guess. NZ?

Calling Elrigh Louw 'world-class' already severely drops the standard of world-class youngsters like Sititi, Roigard, Suaalii, Albornoz, and more that I can't list off the top. Louw has great potential, like a lot of other young players (Prendergast and McDermott), but to say he is world-class is a stretch. Haven't seen Hanekom so I dunno about him.

SFM just hasn't shown me his capabilities yet. He was okay v the ABs, solid 6.5/10, which is great for such a talented young man. If he can adapt a little better and work on his sharpness at test level he could be a quality 10. AF found his feet really well, and I find him most easily identifiable with Nehe Milner-Skudder. What a find for the Bokke. Just needs a better kicking game, but he is proper class. Haven't seen much of Canan Moodie, would like to see more.

20 years of talent? Are you sure? Even I consider Sam Whitelocks career long, and he played for the ABs for 14 years.

On the subject of latent talent, SA and NZ are certainly on par with each other, but the club competitions in New Zealand are just better. The NPC on its own is just such an excellent competitions, which mixes scouting, experience, and competitiveness all into one. SRP is also back on its feet thanks to Schmidt's revival of the Wallabies and RA. So to say that no other country has talent sitting deep in the back pocket, you are sorely mistaken. You haven't even seen Jamie Hannah, Fabian Holland, Kini Naholo, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Rivez Reihana, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Christian Lio-Willie, or Riley Higgins. And that is just to name a few.

I think SA have somer rougher, emphasis on er, years ahead. Will definitely still be winning games, but I suspect a few frustrating losses are likely imbound, probs in 2026 and 2027. Is there any depth in PSDT's jersey? What about Mbonambi/Marx? Wingers?

Sorry, but those squads played against NZ were certainly not experimental. Almost fully fit Boks after warmups v AUS, bomb squad, regular forwards lineup, half pairing, and outside backs largely the same. 'Experimental' my arse.

Appreciate the bit at the end there about others not understanding the true depth of the NZ talent pool. The ABs make up the top 1% of SRP players, and SRP players make up the top 0.1% of rugby players in NZ. Lots of depth hidden in the NPC and lower club divisions just waiting to surface in 2025. Sure to be an incredible SRP season now that the Crusaders injury crisis is over.

I think if there was ever a team that could win three in a row it’s the Boks. Nobody’s done it before. And it’s going to be a very long time until any one else is in a position to do it again. Could be decades before anyone comes close.

So statistically speaking at least, they could do it. And they’re the only team with that opportunity.

And don't bring depth into the convo, because having a lot of minutes as second choice does not automatically make you better (Thomas du Toit, I'm looking at you)

I just haven't seen the promising players that I saw coming through ten years ago. Very good yes, but not a level above the rest of the world like Eben and co were always destined to be.

Rassie has to give them experience because the goldens won't last forever and the generation after them was pretty average. It's definitely the right strategy. But I don't see them dominating 2027 and beyond.

And while they’re at it, can the refs start dealing with their constant player moving prominently in the eye line of the kicker at every opportunity. It’s just poor sportsmanship!!!

I can’t think of a single South African who has left SA straight out of school, Craven Week or even having started their professional careers in SA who are now playing abroad who are a loss to SA. Except maybe Duhan VDM.

We tend to keep the cream of the crop.

And even if they do leave, if they’re that good we’d pick them for the boks.

Without Runa Nortje, the Boks line out struggles, and there is exceptional locks in SA still very young. The back row with Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom and some others from the other teams, very young and already world class.

The backline with players like SFM, AF, CM etc etc etc. I can name 2 young teams that can push for top honours easily. SA rugby is in excellent and very rude health. As a NZ you don't follow the URC not the Currie Cup as closely as the SA public.

The current schools rugby have some monster players too, but the speed and skills of the youngsters in the country is absolutely outstanding and what the current Boks have built, will be surpassed by them. Talent coming through, excluding school stars, is enough for another 20 years minimum.

What other country have that waiting in the wings? Waiting for the current generation to retire and thinking other teams will run over the Boks once they are gone is just wishful thinking.

Why do you think Rassie is giving so much young players opportunities? By the next WC, most of these youngsters will already have 30 - 40 Test caps. They will have faced the current best players over the world already. Experienced despite a tender young age. Saying the current players on the fringes is not up to snuff is just wrong.

The Boks beat the teams in the RC with experimental teams. Young and old. Lost 1 against the Argies by 1 point and what a game that was. Experimental squads, not the strongest squads.

The amount of injured Bok players alone could make a team. The Boks have 49 players Test games this year. Nope, you are definitely not knowing what you are talking about when it comes to the standards of SA rugby, just as little as others knows NZ rugby young talent.

I actually reckon that DMac is now a very good test fly half with plenty of upside as he gets more experience in the black ten jersey. Barrett is also playing at ten much better than under Foster. We're in a good position without RM and will be in a great position if he comes back.