Fourie du Preez has become the 56th Springbok Captain. Here is the full list dating back to 1891
01. H.H. Castens – 1891
02. Bob Sneddon – 1891
03. Alf Richards – 1891
04. Ferdie Aston – 1896
05. Fairy Heatlie – 1896
06. Alex Frew – 1903
07. Jackie Powell – 1903
08. Paddy Carolin – 1906
09. Paul Roos – 1906
03/10 15h00 Griquas v Sharks (Kimberley)
Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Sharks by 7
James (Ou Grote): Sharks by 6
Sportingbet: Sharks
Bet.coza: Sharks
Sportsbet: Sharks
Ultimate Rugby Fans: 65% Sharks
03/10 13h15 Pumas v Cheetahs (Mbombela)
Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Cheetahs by 10
James (Ou Grote): Cheetahs by 15
Sportingbet: Cheetahs
Bet.coza: Cheetahs
Sportsbet: Cheetahs
Ultimate Rugby Fans: 62% Cheetahs
02/10 19h10 Bulls v Eastern Province (Pretoria)
Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Bulls by 30
James (Ou Grote): Bulls by 15
Sportingbet: Bulls
Bet.coza: Bulls
Sportsbet: Bulls
Ultimate Rugby Fans: 81% Bulls
02/10 18h00 Lions v Western Province (Joburg)
Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Lions by 12
James (Ou Grote): Lions by 6
Sportingbet: Lions
Bet.coza: Lions
Sportsbet: Lions
Ultimate Rugby Fans: 61% Lions
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers today announced his retirement from international rugby.
“When I got injured yesterday and I left the field, I knew that I had played my last Test for South Africa. Injuries are part of rugby and I’ve had my fair share, so by now I know how to cope with them. It’s very sad, but life goes on – I need to take it all in and move forward.
“The last time I got injured in a World Cup match and had to go home, was in 2007, also against Samoa and that finished well for the Boks, so hopefully it will happen again.
Best of the Bench
Rugby365: 8/10 Frans Malherbe
Turned the Springboks’ fortunes around in the scrum when he came on in the second half and looked like a man possessed with ball in hand.
Sport24: 7.5/10 Lood de Jager
You just can’t seem to keep the spring-heeled young athlete out of the fulcrum of the action this year, whether he is starting or making an impact off the bench for the national cause. Took over the baton from a firing Matfield with ease – and no lack of venom — after 55 minutes.
OuGrote: 7.5/10 Lood de Jager
Carried on where Matfield left off in the lineouts and was a constant menace on attack with his powerful running.
The Front Row [6]
Jannie wasn’t that great, Beast did what was needed, and Adriaan had a great game in the lineouts and the loose.
03. Jannie du Plessis [4.5]
Rugby365: 4/10
Was poor in the scrums and gave away some silly penalties. His place in the team is not safe.
Sport24: 5/10
Hurt a knee during first half, which impeded his mobility a bit, but had been struggling anyway to achieve both a scrummaging grip and efficiency in open play. Incurred penalty wrath of Wayne Barnes at breakdowns too.
OuGrote: 4.5/10
The incident where he injured his knee looked bad, but the doctor gave himself the all-clear. Ineffective in the scrums and gave away too many penalties.
02. Adriaan Strauss [7]
Rugby365: 7/10
Found his line-out jumpers with ease and was also at the forefront of a powerful Springbok pack.
Sport24: 7/10
Not everyone favoured omission of Bismarck du Plessis, but give the 50-capper his due: tigerish display for 68 minutes including some concerted carries and near-deadeye efficiency with his lineout throw-ins.
OuGrote: 7.5/10
Grabbed his opportunity to start with both hands and had an excellent all-round game. Accurate lineout throw-ins and strong runs around the park. Got up immediately after a monster hit.
01. Beast Mtawarira [6]
Rugby365: 6/10
Did not have a lot of the ball and was solid in the scrums. He did what was asked of him.
Sport24: 6/10
Blew hot and cold … there were more “Beeeast†chants this week, indicating that he had some forceful drives. But scrums were often poor by Boks, so must take some responsibility there.
OuGrote: 6/10
A couple of runs, and solid if unspectacular in the scrums.
