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The YE tests are only four weeks away....and Ireland looms as our first hurdle. This is going to be a very difficult tour for the Boks. A very disappointing season with only 4 wins in nine tests has ended with injuries to key players and doubts about what our playing style is, going forward. That NZ second half burst the bubble.

So do we play running rugby on the wet fields up north, or try to subdue the Micks, boring Scots and Pasty Poms with our power. Does Morne come back or is it Lambie or Jantjies. Lambie's form at 10 will have a lot to say about this, although I sense all is not well between him and Whineka. There are some reasons to watch the CC.

Having said all that, at this stage there is usually some speculation about the Boks running the board up north.....winning all their games. This year it seems there is a bigger risk we will lose all three.

 Irelands pensioners may beat us. If Goosen was playing then they would not.

Bambie must be at 10 for the end of the year tour with Elton on the bench, please not Morne.

Odriscoll is past his best, but he is still good.

Moz the trouble really is public opinion. The reality is tha tbeside injuries some players need a rest and should b eleft behind as well. Meyermay be wondering how well three lossss will go down.

That aside he should play thsi one with next year in mind  - in other words build his squad for the future. Rest players needing it.

Players that should be rested in my view are Beast, Jannie, Etzebeth Hpugaard, Morne, Jean, Habana  and Kirchner.

Then we must look at player swho have been overplayed - eg Kitshoff.

The only other acceptable alternative is agree these players start latter in the Super 15.  Next year we must thump these overated abs.!!  We cant with dog tired player who have been overdoing it year after year. That Jean is still standing is remarkable. Tha tMorne imploded was bound to happen. I ask you how would Carter be playing now if he had played the matches Morne had!!!!

You cant win running on empty no matter what strategy you have.  I would go for the fesh players and ones knocking on the door.

I also wonder if guys like Bakkies and Danie Rossouw could offer some assistance. - are there overseas guys to consider?  CJ Stander rope him in.

 @Beeno- Springbok level is not where resting should be. Playing for your country is the highest pinackle of Sport. They should be rested for the Curry Cup, not the internationals.

If their is no central management of players work loads, then they can only take injury enforced sabaticals, and hopefully the recover for the international season.

Look at players like Vermuelan and Bekker. They were both injured during the SuperXV, this is the only reason that they played for the boks this year. Usually they are played into the ground and injured for the International season. Vermuelan would have been capped ages ago. With more matches in the Superxv it was fortunate that that they got injured during the Superxv season to take injury sabaticals.

Sharkbok I fully agree. I am very pleaed that the Soweto loss has brought all this t o a head as it were. Our problem though is will anything be done. Losing at home to an average abs outfit is the pits but well worth it if it means reform. 

The trouble is where wil wel be next year if we play our guys into the ground. How does this vicious cycle get broken. I did suggest a late start for some Boks next year but realistically what franchise is going to not play their Boks.

But the penny has to drop. Even the franchises themselves have got to realise no player can play all the time without signifcant drop off of performace. Hence apart from Hooker it looks now the Stormers have the depth for next year although much can happen between then and now.

As things stand barring refs, injuries and possibly altitude and any loss of needed players we are in a good place.  Its surprsing really as  dont rate our mangament or coaching team too highly. I am surprised we got the cream of the Lions although very sorry we lost Quinn Roux and Deon Fourie. The other positive is a more attacking approach.

Actually I agree with both of you. Many of the Boks are dog tired and probably, more to the point, demotivated. But I agree with Shark as well.....the Bok matches are the highest calling. I like the idea of drafting Bakkies and maybe Big Joe. They know the players and the conditions.
 

The trouble is Whineka is too sensitive to public opinion. You can see that in his selections....he gives little nods to various constituencies eg Keegan Daniels. He will be doing what he can to set the immediate record right. White was much more consistent and backed his own judgement. PdV listened only to the voices in his head.

If he wants to be a great coach Whineka has to realise it's not a popularity contest.

 The Boks have to rest some of their first choice players. It has been a bad year for us but a lot to take out of it ad more importantly, lessons learned and thats how guys grow as players...I reckon we should take our strongest possible team, just so they have exposure to Northern Hemisphere conditions and what it will take to play there.

In Super Rugby next year, we must take the work load off them. Keep them fresher. They showed enough signs this year that they can grow into a great team if managed properly. Of course we will still be getting some of our casualties back so we will be in a good space but they can not be expected to play 13 to 15 super rugby games (with 3 tests in between) and then perform outstandingly in the championship. Whilst the Boks rest in super rugby, we are giving other youngsters exposure at top level and thats when we will have competition for places.

With the right structures in place, there is no reason we can not take back the number 1 ranking!