This is Rassie's first choice Springbok XV for the November Tests
The dust has hardly settled on the Rugby Championship and already we are turning our attention to the year-end internationals – writes Rugby365’s Jan de Koning.
While the Springboks are still stuck at No.5 in the world rankings – more than two rankings points behind fourth-placed England and almost 10 points behind first-placed New Zealand – they are indeed a lot closer to a top-three spot than it seems.
That will become evident when the Boks take on England, France, Scotland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays next month.
England (November 3) and Wales (November 24) are ranked just above the Boks at No.3 and No.4, while France (November 10) and Scotland (November 17) are both just below SA at No.6 and No.8.
However, the selection for these matches will carry far more significance than the rankings will.
It is the final opportunity for Bok coach Rassie Erasmus to get answers to the questions about his backup personnel.
His need to ‘build depth’ and give the backup players some much-needed game time will be the overriding factors.
After November there are only next year’s three Rugby Championship Tests and perhaps a couple of warm-up matches. Those will be used to get the first-choice team into shape.
Obviously, injuries will play a role in the final selection, but looking at Erasmus’ selections throughout 2018, his starting XV has an established look about it and will remain unchanged – unless injuries dictate otherwise.
It is when it comes to Erasmus’ backup selection that the picture is a lot murkier.
Jan de Koning takes a look at the selection options for November.
Fullback
First choice: Willie le Roux (Wasps, England)
One of the problematic positions. Le Roux won’t be available for all the matches on tour. For one, the opening match against England falls outside the international window. There is no clarity on whether Warrick Gelant has recovered from his shoulder injury.
Back-up options: Damian Willemse (Stormers/Western Province), Warrick Gelant (Bulls), Curwin Bosch (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France – also not available for all the games), Frans Steyn (Montpellier)
Right wing
First choice: Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
The No.14 jersey has been blighted by injuries. Sibusiso Nkosi started against England in June, before an ankle injury to Nkosi opened the door for Mapimpi. When the latter was injured during the Rugby Championship in Australasia, Jessie Kriel started on the right wing against New Zealand in Wellington. Cheslin Kolbe started in the last two matches. Much will depend on the fitness tests of the various players in the next three weeks.
Back-up options: Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks), Travis Ismaiel (Bulls), Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France – also not available for all the games)
Outside centre
First choice: Jesse Kriel (Bulls)
Even though Lukhanyo Am, before he fractured his arm on Bok duty in New Zealand, started in the No.13 jersey, Kriel has since established himself as the premier outside centre. Am’s lack of game time – if he recovers in time – will also give Kriel another run in the midfield.
Back-up options: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Lionel Mapoe (Lions), Ruhan Nel (Western Province), Frans Steyn (Montpellier)
Inside centre
First choice: Damian de Allende (Stormers)
When he was first named by Erasmus, there were doubters abound. However, De Allende has begun to form a formidable midfield partnership with Kriel in the midfield. Some still feel Andre Esterhuizen deserves a chance and he may well get it on the year-end tour.
Back-up options: André Esterhuizen (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Montpellier), Damian Willemse (Stormers/Western Province), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sale Sharks)
Left wing
First choice: Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
The options are plenty, but experience at international level is thin. Dyantyi has truly been one of the finds of the year – still raw, like an uncut diamond.
Back-up options: Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Courtnall Skosan (Lions), Dillyn Leyds (Western Province)
Flyhalf
First choice: Handré Pollard (Bulls)
Pollard had a rough patch midway through the year, but eventually settled down and started to live up to his potential. Not the finished product yet, but clearly settled and comfortable in the No.10 jersey.
Back-up options: Elton Jantjies (Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Robert du Preez (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Montpellier)
Scrumhalf
First choice: Francois de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England)
After bursting onto the international stage in 2016, he was overlook the following year. Rassie Erasmus saw something very special and recalled him. Even more important, he found a way to utilise his unique talents. However, it is in the back-up column where the issue is – Ross Cronje’s season-ending in jury will mean there’s even less experience for the year-end tour.
Back-up options: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Ivan van Zyl (Bulls), Cameron Wright (Sharks)
No.8
First choice: Warren Whiteley (Lions)
One position where there is no shortage of quality or depth. Duane Vermeulen could just as easily be listed as a first choice. In both cases their leadership and experience make them invaluable assets. Whiteley’s big drawback is the constant injuries in recent seasons.
Back-up options: Duane Vermeulen (Kubota Spears, Japan), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers), Dan du Preez (Sharks), Francois Louw (Bath, England)
Flank (No.7)
First choice: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
Just in case there are still some who don’t know, No.7 is a blindside flank in South Africa. Du Toit fits the bill perfectly – he is fast, strong, has a high workrate and can also play at lock. In fact he played at lock most of his early career. The return to fitness of Jean-Luc du Preez is a major boost for the Boks and will offset the injury to Teboho Mohojé. Captain Siyamthanda Kolisi could always move across or he can look at England-based Nizaam Carr.
Back-up options: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers), Francois Louw (Bath, England), Nizaam Carr (Wasps)
Flank (No.6)
First choice: Siya Kolisi (captain, Stormers)
As captain he is always the first name on the team sheet. After an iffy start in June, Kolisi has grown as both captain and player. There is plenty of openside back-up if Kolisi is required to move across to the blindside.
Back-up options: Marco van Staden (Bulls), Francois Louw (Bath, England), Albertus Smith (Lions & Yamaha Júbilo)
Lock (No.5)
First choice: Franco Mostert (Lions)
With his high workrate and sound set-piece skills he has overtaken all the other second row forwards and allowed the coach to re-deploy Du Toit to the back row. He can also play on the blindside flank, which give the coach additional options if there’s an injury crisis. And then next year Lodewyk de Jager will also return, to make this a very
Back-up options: Rudolph Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Botha (Sharks & Kubota Spears), John Schickerling (Stormers)
Lock (No.4)
First choice: Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
After a slow start, while working his way back to full fitness from a lengthy injury lay-off, he has formed a formidable partnership with Mostert.
Back-up options: Marvin Orie (Lions), Jason Jenkins (Bulls & Verblitz), Chris van Zyl (Stormers)
Tighthead prop
First choice: Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
Many have questioned why Malherbe starts ahead of Stormers teammate Wilco Louw, but the coach seems to have a plan – even though Malherbe seems to struggle to last the distance.
Back-up options: Wilco Louw (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Saracens, England), Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
Hooker
First choice: Malcolm Marx (Lions)
There is no-one like him. A key player in the Bok set-up and vital to the cause when the coach wants more grunt.
Back-up options: Mbongeni Mbonambi (Stormers), Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), Mahlatse Ralepelle (Sharks), Schalk Brits (Western Province), Bismarck du Plessis (hooker, Montpellier)
Loosehead prop
First choice: Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
He has slowly overtaken The Beast (Tendai Mtawarira) as the Boks’ starting No.1 this year. Not the finished product yet, but will be invaluable at the World Cup next year.
Back-up options: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Retshegofaditswe Nche (Cheetahs), Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments