BACK TO FULL STRENGTH
IF ALL goes well, Rassie Erasmus might finally beable to push his preferred first-choice team into action this weekend for the first time in 12 Tests.
With his chosen six overseas-based players now available for Saturday’s Test against France in Paris, and also having Duane Vermeulen back and Warren Whiteley fit, Erasmus’ squad is probably stronger than at any other time this year.
In the June series against England Malcolm Marx, among others, was missing; in the Rugby Championship Vermeulen didn’t play and Whiteley was injured for some time, while last weekend in the first of four Tests on the Boks’ northern hemisphere tour none of the Europe-based Boks were available for selection.
Now, ahead of the France Test, Erasmus is spoilt for choice – even if Beast Mtawarira isn’t available.
And what a big selection decision awaits the Bok boss.
His team performed well in many areas at Twickenham last Saturday; they dominated possession and territory, had the better of England in most departments and probably also created more try-scoring chances. Had they capitalised on those opportunities the Boks may have won, and done so comfortably.
Must-win
Rookies Ivan van Zyl and Damian Willemse did well at scrumhalf and fullback respectively, but with the France game now a mustwin, Erasmus is almost certain to recall to the starting team the more experienced and, in the scrumhalf’s case, more dynamic, Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux, now that they are available.
And if the Bok team that played at Loftus Versfeld a few weeks ago was Erasmus’ best at that stage, then it would also not be a surprise if Cheslin Kolbe got a look-in this weekend. He, however, only got a call-upduring the Rugby Championship because Sbu Nkosi was injured, but the Sharks man is now fit again and enjoyed a good outing against England.
It’s more in the pack where Erasmus has some big, and challenging, calls to make.
While Vermeulen, Whiteley and Siya Kolisi performed well enough as a unit against England to warrant another go against France, Erasmus might be tempted to change his loose-trio and lock pairing.
The availability of Franco Mostert (now that he is a Gloucester player) could see him join Eben Etzebeth in the second row, with Pieter-Steph du Toit moving back to blindside flank. That would force Vermeulen to eighthman and Whiteley out of the starting team.
It would bea big call on Erasmus’ part as Whiteley did more than enough against England to justify a starting spot – and Saturday’s Test was his first in months after missing the back-end of the Rugby Championship.
“It is good to welcome the overseas-based guys back into the squad. They bring in valuable experience and knowledge of European conditions,” said Erasmus about his squad “newcomers”.
The other two overseas-based players who’re available this week are Francois Louw and Vincent Koch – both of whom featured against the All Blacks at Loftus.
It is doubtful though, with Vermeulen and Whiteley in the squad, that Louw will again be considered at No 8 – where he played that day – but Koch could well get another look-in this weekend, most probably from the bench.
If Etzebeth proves his fitness (foot) today, Erasmus will have a fully fit squad to pick from for this weekend’s match – and that team could be the strongest picked by the coach this year.
He’ll name that line-up on Thursday.