Rhule still measures up, but Combrinck doesn’t
RAYMOND RHULE Has survived despite missing nine tackles against the All Blacks and S’Bu Nkosi has been rewarded for some fine performances for the Sharks, but there’s still no room for Ruan Combrinck.
Experienced flank Francois Louw, Nkosi and Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder have been added to the Springbok squad for the home Tests against Australia and New Zealand, but the big question remains: Why no Combrinck?
He saved the Boks with a try on debut that screamed “power, aggression and passion”. He knocks his opponents back in the tackle and kicks the ball a mile with both feet, and he can play at wing and fullback. But still he’s not good enough for Allister Coetzee.
Calls for Coetzee to explain his selections will hopefully be answered when the team gather in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Combrinck should be the first man picked among the outside backs. Besides having played Super Rugby for a successful Lions team for several seasons, he took to Test rugby like a veteran last year and has skills few others among the men Coetzee has picked have.
Coetzee has made only one form-based change to his battered and bruised squad from the group that toured Australasia recently, dropping No9 Francois Hougaard and bringing in Schreuder. He was in excellent form for the Kings earlier this season and has also performed well for the Sharks in the Currie Cup in recent weeks.
Nkosi, an exuberant 21-year-old with good hands, raw pace and power, is an addition and he joins a big outside-backs group which includes Andries Coetzee, Rhule, Courtnall Skosan and Dillyn Leyds.
The latter, who went to Australasia but didn’t get a look-in, will probably be viewed by Coetzee as a Combrinck-type player; he is able to function in more than one position. Leyds is almost sure to get a run in Bloemfontein next weekend.
Louw, a veteran of over 50 Tests, will boost the pack, bringing with him leadership and experience. He comes in for Jaco Kriel, who has been ruled out for the next six months after hurting his shoulder.
Coenie Oosthuizen, who broke his arm against Australia, wasn’t considered, and neither was Frans Malherbe, who is also ALSO INSIDE: Sunfoil Series wrap, P25 Dobson’s WP posers. P26 Messi masterclass, P27 injured, meaning the Boks will again rely on rookie Test tighthead props. Ruan Dreyer has struggled in his two Tests to date, Trevor Nyakane has yet to be fully tested in the No3 jersey, and Wilco Louw hasn’t even worn the green and gold. The Western Province man though is likely to get his chance against the Wallabies.
Meanwhile, regular captain Warren Whiteley, who had groin surgery some time ago and has missed the last five Tests, is still recovering and is in a race against time to be fit for the November tour of Europe.