Coetzee has selection issues
WILL UZAIR CASSIEM be a surprise choice at No 8 for the Springboks?
South Africa open their Rugby Championship programme against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (5pm kickoff ), and one of the posers faced by Bok coach Allister Coetzee is the loose trio.
With regular skipper and No 8 Warren Whiteley injured, Allister has one specialist No 8 in the Sharks’ physical Dan du Preez, while Cheetahs loose forward Cassiem, although he can pack down at the back of the scrum, is primarily a flank.
Cassiem, who made his Springbok debut against Wales last year after producing fine outings for the Free State team, hasn’t reached the same top-performing heights this season. There has been speculation that Coetzee will start with Cassiem at No 8 so it will be interesting to see who he eventually goes for.
The twin brother of Dan, Jean-Luc, featured at No 8 along with Siya Kolisi and Jaco Kriel in the loose trio for the third Test against France in Johannesburg in June, but it’s probably not very likely that Allister will consider him there given the other two options. Kolisi, who was last week named as the Bok vice captain, at this point seems like the only certain inclusion in the back row, and although he was undergoing rehabilitation for the ankle injury he sustained during the Stormers’ Super Rugby quarter-final loss to the Chiefs, he has recovered well and took part in training in the Friendly City last week.
The Stormers skipper has been in scintillating form this season, not only with his union, but also for the Boks during their series whitewash over France, where he was in fine form throughout and was particularly exceptional in the second Test.
Then there are Lions loosie Jaco Kriel, Jean-Luc, and Oupa Mohoje.
In the second Test against France in Durban, Mohoje started at No 7, while Jean-Luc, who is a natural No 7, replaced Mohoje, so this time around the big question is whether Allister will use Jean-Luc at No 7 – where he has been outstanding this season, or if Mohoje will get the starting nod again. At fullback, the Lions’ Andries Coetzee, Bulls playmaker Warrick Gelant and Sharks star Curwin Bosch offer decent options, while Jesse Kriel can also play in the last line of defence.
However, when the squad was announced, Bosch was marked as a flyhalf, although he has been more than just reliable at the back for the Sharks this season.
Andries impressed in the Bok No 15 jersey against France with his reliable boot and decision-making, while he also added a few fine attacking touches.
Gelant has also been good for the Bulls during Super Rugby, but sticking with Andries as the starting option seems like the most attractive one.
Another position that can be seen as a talking point is the lock pairing and who will partner with captain Eben Etzebeth.
Franco Mostert has been sensational for the Lions in Super Rugby this season, while Pieter-Steph du Toit struggled quite a bit in some of his Bok outings. Another option is Lood de Jager.
In the front row, it is unclear when Tendai Mtawarira will get some action as his progress with regards to a neck injury he sustained is being monitored by the Springbok staff. Stormers prop Frans Malherbe has an opportunity to get into the starting line-up, while Coenie Oosthuizen and Trevor Nyakane, who Allister seems quite excited about as a “swinger”, are also promising prospects.