Last roll of the dice for Springboks hoping to book a ticket to Japan
The Springboks have just two games left to play between now and their opening fixture of the Rugby World Cup.
Instead of being able to ease into the competition, as has often been the case in the past, the Springboks will line up against the All Blacks in their 99th match to date. It’s then fairly smooth sailing until the quarter-finals, where South Africa will likely line up against one of Ireland, Scotland or Japan.
Naturally, coach Rassie Erasmus will roll out a full-strength side in that first World Cup game. South Africa will take on Japan just two weeks before the competition kicks off – which probably gives the Springboks one last chance to practise combinations. It’s fair to expect a near top-strength side to take the field against the Brave Blossoms.
That means there’s just one more opportunity for Erasmus to see his wider squad in action before he decides on the team he will take to the World Cup. Now that the Rugby Championship has been sewn up for 2019, don’t be surprised if he makes sweeping changes to his side to give some of the less prominently featured players opportunities to press their case when South Africa faces Argentina in a re-match of last weekend’s drubbing.
Springboks carrying excess luggage
Erasmus is currently working with a squad of 42, including the three additional players (Scarra Ntubeni, Wilco Louw and Marco van Staden) that he called up earlier this week.
Ten players have featured in all of the Springboks’ tests in 2019: hooker Bongi Mbonambi, props Tendai Mtarawira and Trevor Nyakane, lock Eben Etzebeth, loose forwards Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw, halfback Herschel Jantjies, and three-quarters Jesse Kriel, François Steyn and Makazole Mapimpi.
Five further players, Franco Mostert, Duane Vermeulen, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe and Willie le Roux, have clocked up considerable game time in their two matches.
Erasmus will likely look at resting most – if not all – of these players in this weekend’s game, especially given the supersize squad he’s still carrying.
Front row
In the front row, Malcolm Marx is due another start, with just 103 minutes of test football under his belt this year. Erasmus has brought uncapped hooker Scarra Ntabeni into the squad and the Western Province rake may finally be in line for his first test cap after first being called into the Springboks way back in 2016. Ageing Saracen Schalk Brits has also had minimal game time – but questions remain whether Brits still has what it takes to play rugby at the highest level.
Props Thomas du Toit, Lizo Gqoboka, Vincent Kock and the newly added Wilco Louw all had little game time in the Rugby Championship. With Tendai Mtawarira and Trevor Nyakane almost certain to take the week off, there’s room for some experimentation.
The Boks will likely take five props to the World Cup and there are currently eight in the squad. Is it worth giving du Toit and Louw some minutes this weekend if they’re unlikely to be required for World Cup duty?
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Erasmus bring back the starting front row that went toe-to-toe with the All Blacks in Wellington (Kitshoff, Marx and Malherbe) and then injecting Gqoboka, debutant Ntubeni and Kock off the bench. That ensures plenty of players have had ample game time in the lead up to the World Cup, without wasting precious minutes on those that are unlikely to feature.
Locks
One-time captain Eben Etzebeth will likely get a rest against the Pumas. His name has been penned into the World Cup squad for some time now and there’s little to gain by overplaying the abrasive second-rower – even though his Super Rugby campaign was speckled with injuries.
Lood de Jager and RG Snyman appeal as a solid locking duo for the Springboks and have both made fleeting appearances over the Rugby Championship. Specialist Marvin Orie and utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt will battle it out for the bench spot – but neither is likely to travel to Japan.
Loose forwards
The inspirational Siya Kolisi will make his much-awaited return this weekend after missing the last three matches with injury. He will slot in on the flank and could partner Marcell Coetzee, who was a somewhat surprising call-up to the squad. Coetzee clocked just 21 minutes in South Africa’s first match against Australia and is certainly worth a second look.
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Both Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw have shouldered fairly heavy loads at No 8 this year but one of the two could be required to suit up again against the Pumas. The alternative option would be to shift someone like Coetzee to the back of the scrum and bring in another flanker.
One player who won’t feature is Pieter-Steph du Toit. The blindsider was arguably the Springboks’ best player throughout the Rugby Championship, playing the full eighty in all three matches. Du Toit is due a game off this weekend and will likely watch from the stands.
Halves
Herschel Jantjies would have probably been the third-ranked halfback heading into the test season, behind experienced operators Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach. His superfluous performances against Australia and off the bench against New Zealand could have secured him a place in the World Cup squad. If Erasmus only wants to take two halfbacks to the competition then it could be Reinach who is most in danger of missing out. The Saints playmaker could be due for a start this weekend, having made just one 15-minute cameo against the Wallabies.
At first-five, Elton Jantjies will likely take over from Handré Pollard. Jantjies is firmly entrenched as the back-up in the squad and still has a few moments of madness at international level. He had a fantastic game against Australia, mind you, so this weekend’s match would give him the opportunity to show that his days of inconsistency are behind him.
Midfield
There are a number of different possibilities in the midfield. Lukhanyo Am has made an excellent return to test rugby after missing the latter half of 2018 due to a broken arm, and Erasmus may want to retain the resolute defender. Earlier in the season, Erasmus said the Am and Kriel would be rotated through the year, however, and Am has played in the previous two fixtures.
André Esterhuizen and François Steyn have both played just minor roles for the Springboks this year. One of those two will likely miss out on the World Cup, and Steyn’s obvious utility value likely gives him the upper hand. Esterhuizen started against Argentina and had a reasonable game but made a couple of costly kick errors. He also found himself spending 10 minutes in the sin bin due to a careless tackle. This weekend might be Esterhuizen’s last chance to try steal a spot in the future squad – but Erasmus may want to see what Steyn can do with a start under his belt.
Outside backs
Last year’s breakout star, Aphiwe Dyantyi, was invalided from the Rugby Championship due to hamstring strain. There have been no further updates to Dyantyi’s availability since the competition kicked off but it’s unlikely he’ll be available for the match against the Pumas. Couple that with Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi’s heavy workloads the stage could be set to for S’busiso Nkosi and Dillyn Leyds to run out at Loftus Versfeld.
Willie le Roux has spent the past two matches at fullback, so Warrick Gelant could take the field this weekend. The alternative option would be to give Steyn a crack in the 15 jersey – but his three games have all been at inside centre.
There was considerable speculation over whether Erasmus would shuffle his side last weekend or go for the jugular against the Jaguares to ensure a first-ever Rugby Championship title for the Springboks. He opted for the latter and put Argentina to the sword. With the trophy locked up for 2019, the target now moves to the considerably more prestigious Webb Ellis Cup.
With only two matches left to play before rugby’s showcase event kicks off next month, now is the time for South Africa to experiment – so expect a wholly different side to line up against the Pumas on Saturday.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments