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 "What's in your head, in your head? Rassie! Rassie! Rassie!" 

Yes, your eyes are not lying to you. These famous lyrics have become quite popular, especially amongst Irish rugby fans. Why? Well, for the simple reason that Rassie is well-known among Irish fans as he has coached there a few years ago and he is just a rugby genius. The first coach ever to come up with the 6 - 2 split on the bench as well as that famous 7 - 1 split that South Africa utilized during their World Cup Final against New Zealand in 2023. 

With the new international season set to get underway, officially, next weekend, Dr. Rassie Erasmus, as he is now known, has announced his first official squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and Portugal. 


Looking at the squad, I have to say I am quite pleased with the squad. In my personal opinion, though, I would rather have left out Manie Libbok simply because I don't feel that he was at his best during the last few rounds of the United Rugby Championship. Another player I maybe would have left out, was Damian De Allende, not because he's a bad player but for simple reason to give Andre Esterhuizen a better chance to prove himself as a valuable starting inside centre. 

My Starting XV vs Ireland: 
  1. Ox Nche
  2. Malcom Marx
  3. Thomas du Toit
  4. Eben Etzabeth
  5. Salmaan Moerat
  6. Siya Kolisi (c)
  7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
  8. Evan Roos
  9. Cobus Reinach
  10. Handre Pollard
  11. Cheslin Kolbe
  12. Andre Esterhuizen
  13. Jessie Kriel
  14. Edwill van der Merwe
  15. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Reserves: 
16. Johan Grobbelaar
17. Gerhard Steenekamp 
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. RG Snyman
20. Franco Mostert
21. Marco van Staden
22. Morne van der Berg
23. Willie le Roux

The reason for my selection: most of these players really impressed during the game against Wales. Not to mention that monster of a kick by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as well as that absolute beauty of a try by Edwill van der Merwe which earned him a man of the match award on debut. Feinberg-Mngomezulu is almost like a young version of Damian Willemse as he is comfortable in 

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