Bongi’s not a stepchild
SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee faces a selection poser in the front row for the game against Wales.
Hooker Malcolm Marx is fit again, while prop Tendai Mtawarira is struggling with a groin injury and will be afforded as much time as possible to recover ahead of the final Test of the tour.
But there is no reason for Coetzee to sweat this one because he has more than sufficient and competent cover in the frontrow within his squad on tour at the moment.
As fit as Marx is, and an obvious starter in the side, it is long overdue that Coetzee does the right thing by not only affording a chance to hookers Bongi Mbonambi and Chiliboy Ralepelle, but it will also help grow the stocks in the number two jersey.
Marx has certainly been one of the stand-out players for the Boks this year which was epitomised by his Herculean effort in the one point loss against the All Blacks at Newlands, but the time has come for Coetzee to show faith in the abilities of Mbonambi and Ralepelle, who have been completely overlooked.
Mbonambi has been treated like the unwanted stepchild within the Springbok team by having to spend his time on the bench removing the splinters on his bum while watching then Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss, before being catapulted by Marx.
Against Italy Mbonambi held his own and even scored a try in his first start in the Springbok jersey since making his debut last year against Ireland, and regardless of the status of Marx, Mbonambi should be given another opportunity at starting against Wales.
The same applies to Ralepelle, who sat on the bench in two Tests against Australia in Bloemfontein and the All Blacks in Cape Town without being afforded a second on the field.
Ralepelle is more than competent having made his Bok debut 11 years ago and this year turned back the hands of time with some good performances for the Sharks in Super Rugby.
Ralepelle did manage to get 20 minutes of game time against Italy but he too should be given more time on the park especially with his precision at throwing into the lineout, his ability to scrum and the amount of work he does in acting as an extra loose forward.
But the value of Mbonambi and Ralepelle will be strengthened by the two ‘fatties’ on their left and right hand side.
Mtawarira must be rested not only for the sake of his health but for Coetzee to unleash the might of Steven Kitshoff and Trevor Nyakane.
Kitshoff has proven over and over again that he is a potent “finisher” but is equally as dangerous and valuable to the side as a starter, as was the case against the All Blacks at Newlands.
So Kitshoff should be handed the number one jersey and in the latter part of the game, Nyakane should be released to run amok in the scrums and open play.
Nyakane is no slouch and possesses the rare skills of a prop that is not just a powerful scrummager but is an impactful runner with ball in hand and is as effective as any open side flank at the breakdown.
The ever improving Wilco Louw should be given more time to establish himself on the international stage and with Mbonambi and Kitshoff will be in familiar company as they often scrummed down together at the Stormers.
Louw is certainly the future of the Springboks at tighthead prop and he will only become better with more time spent playing, but Coetzee will be wise to finish off the game with Ruan Dreyer who would have been chomping at the bit after falling down the pecking order to Louw.