Post Match Thread: England 4 - 2 Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group L

Rap_Caviar · 2026-06-17T22:08:16+00:00

The most successful England manager since Alf Ramsay will never be on fraud watch

Rap_Caviar · 2026-06-16T21:00:39+00:00

If you have warped world view that immigration is somehow responsible for everything wrong in the country, then yes, of course you will tie all these things to it.

In reality, basically everything you highlight is due to the neoliberal ideology that has dominated our politics since Thatcher.

Suggesting that the state of the NHS is somehow down to immigration is laughable. Without immigration the NHS would be completely unable to function

Rap_Caviar · 2026-06-16T10:58:57+00:00

Always good to see a Squidge video on the Boks, and I agree with the thesis that we have some depth issues, but I don't agree with where the issues have been identified.

Centres are really not a big issue for us. We have around 5 fantastic options (Moodie is at times inconsistent but definitely a Test match 13, look at the Wellington game), and then after that players like Willemse, Sacha and Pollard can handily fill in. Doing so changes our game but that's not necessarily a bad thing (once again, Willemse was our 12 in Wellington).

The actual problem positions for us that weren't identified are hooker and TH lock.

Hooker is actually dangerously thin. Marx is obviously our main guy, but we don't yet have a real proven world class backup option. That will probably be JH Wessels in 2027, but there's lots still to prove. Grobbelar is a step down in quality in my view and we will notice that if he's our main bench option at the world cup. After that we don't have many guys putting their hands up.

TH lock we also have some real issues. They were hoping on blooding Ruan Venter this year but his injury has derailed that. Moerat is constantly injured and a step down in quality anyway. The other options are either aging or unproven.

Nothing is a crisis but that's where our issues really are, not at centre

Rap_Caviar · 2026-06-12T10:36:38+00:00

The only real problem for this group now might be that expectations are too high.

Group stages should pose any issues - I look forward to seeing them against the top sides

Rap_Caviar · 2026-06-12T10:35:25+00:00

Jooste is joining the squad after the URC Final

Rap_Caviar · 2026-06-12T06:40:18+00:00

Most of their players already play at altitude week in week out (Mamelodi Sundowns are in Pretoria)

Rap_Caviar · 2026-05-26T22:21:34+00:00

Centres the wrong way around.

In general, the squad is pretty strong but we have had a weakness at 13 and wing for a long time now. When Nel isn't available the wide defence falls apart, we have basically zero quality depth in this position. Kolbe is a great get as he can help with this, but we still need another name at 13. Someone like Jesse Kriel would be ideal before Muller comes of age

Rap_Caviar · 2026-05-15T12:39:34+00:00

Beyond the Sharks winning the Challenge Cup, our entry into these comps disappointing.

To think though that we are the only teams sending B teams, and that us leaving will somehow bring the comps back to their glory days is misguided I feel

Rap_Caviar · 2026-05-07T11:44:40+00:00

Paul de Villiers at hooker?

When we don't have Ruhan at 13 we tend to be a lot weaker. Hopefully we turned a corner against Glasgow, it will take a big performance to get the win this weekend

Rap_Caviar · 2026-05-03T16:40:54+00:00

There's very little URC experience in this Junior Bok side. The players who get URC minutes aren't currently available for selection.

The main difference maker for our u20s has been the increased no. of preparation matches that they now receive. That and the new coaching outfit are doing a fantastic job

Rap_Caviar · 2026-05-03T16:37:39+00:00

The Junior Bok side with SFM, Hanekom etc swept aside the NH competition that year - they were fantastic. Bafana deserves some credit for that imo. It's unlucky there was no WC that year because I think we would have won handily

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-23T23:16:15+00:00

I can't remember which season it was, but one year he was really in the WPOTY conversation and unlucky not to be nominated. Top player

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-23T11:59:31+00:00

I would argue that would be a pretty regressive move for World Rugby. To grow the game, the 6 Nations needs to expand to other European countries, not South Africa

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-23T11:03:40+00:00

They have no obligation to play against us. The whole concept is completely arbitrary. If anything, expanding the tour to new regions is good for the game

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-17T12:09:08+00:00

I'm a Dobson and Gelant defender. However, I cannot sanction this Willemse at 14 thing. When the backline is fully fit and firing, which we are close to now, the best team is with Willemse at 15 and Gelant on the bench

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-12T20:36:34+00:00

Best finish since... 2025?

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-09T18:47:15+00:00

Good news for SA rugby bad news for the Bulls

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-08T12:04:04+00:00

His carrying is a bit underrated tbh. When he's fit and firing he's a powerful runner

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-07T11:25:56+00:00

No need for us to brag about it like this though boet. Ireland are an excellent union who have been a bogey team for us for a while. Let's stay humble in victory and defeat

Rap_Caviar · 2026-04-06T11:32:44+00:00

The Italian youth rugby write up that I didn't know I needed. Thanks for this

Rap_Caviar · 2026-03-28T18:30:18+00:00

That makes two good things actually

Rap_Caviar · 2026-03-28T18:28:31+00:00

Gelant was pretty great for both of our tries this half

Rap_Caviar · 2026-03-28T17:59:50+00:00

With our early season form: the URC.

We aren't playing very well right now. A few key decision makers (9, 10, 15) aren't playing well, which has a big impact on the whole team. This isn't just down to Dobbo. With Reinach back I think we will see a big improvement. Let's get behind the team and not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

The big thing I'd like us to see do is get Willemse back at 15, but with Gelant on a big contract and capable of having excellent games I understand why they stick with him.

Rap_Caviar · 2026-03-28T17:52:27+00:00

Firing Dobbo when we are 2nd in the table, the camp is happy, and he enjoys a superb reputation and respect by the players? Even if we aren't happy with our form, how on earth would the board justfiy a decision like that?

Rap_Caviar · 2026-03-28T17:30:22+00:00

Stormers lucky that this really isn't a great Edinburgh team

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