Jacques van der Westhuyzen Tourist’s confidence high
The Springboks are in Europe this month for back-to-back Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and Wales. and Vata Ngobeni highlight some key issues that will be under scrutiny
THE TIGHTHEAD ISSUE
With Frans Malherbe and Julian Redelinghuys injured the Boks have struggled to find a Test-quality No 3.
Coenie Oosthuizen performed well in June and looked to have solved the problem, but an injury in the early stages of the Rugby Championship ended his participation, until now. Ruan Dreyer struggled in his starts, giving away plenty of penalties, but with Oosthuizen back and Wilco Louw in excellent form in the Currie Cup, the Boks may just be okay again. THE BACK-ROW
Warren Whiteley cried off some time ago, but it was the season-ending injury suffered by Jaco Kriel that hit the Boks hard.
The Lions man did a heap of work around the field, tackled strongly and brought energy to the loose-trio, but his absence has left the Boks looking for answers rather than having them. Jean-luc du Preez is also not on tour, so will the team again go with two men playing out of position, with Francois Louw at eight and Pieter-steph du Toit at blindside flank? FLYHALF
There really shouldn’t be an issue here as Elton Jantjies has done a pretty decent job up to now, but Handre Pollard was the man in the No 10 jersey before injured felled him two years ago and he’s seemingly ready to return to the starting team.
Coach Coetzee is also a big fan of Pollard’s and the fact the Bulls man has been training with the squad for two weeks might give him the edge over Jantjies
INSIDE CENTRE
The one man who played at a consistently high level in June and during the Rugby Championship was Jan Serfontein, but he won’t play for the Boks this June following his recent move to a European club.
It’s a big blow as Coetzee will now have to find a new No 12 who may also be new to the man at 10 and 13. Damian de Allende is the only specialist inside centre in the squad, with Francois Venter and Lukhanyo Am more familiar with the 13 position.
THE BENCH
Earlier in the season when the likes of Steven Kitshoff, Pieter-steph du Toit and Jeanluc du Preez were coming off the bench the Boks were able to raise their game in the latter stages of their matches, but it remains to be seen how the coach puts his bench together on tour. WILCO LOUW
Such was his scrumming impact on his Test debut against the All Blacks at Newlands that it will come as no surprise if Allister Coetzee seriously considers Louw as a possible starter.
Louw backed up that performance with another demolition of the Sharks scrum in the Currie Cup final which cemented him as one of the best tightheads in the land.
Louw is also a good carrier of the ball and has shown from time to time that he can also get involved in stealing possession at the breakdown.
Louw’s presence has added to the ailing stocks at tighthead. LUKHANYO AM
Am has been one of the standout performers for the Sharks this year putting in some big performances in Super Rugby which he followed up in the Currie Cup.
Am caught the eye of Springbok coach Allister Coetzee while playing for the Southern Kings last year and was meant to make his Test debut against France in June before injury ruled him out.
Am is versatile in the midfield and is good at both number 12 and 13 with his good distribution skills, rock solid defence and ability to act as an extra loose forward in stealing turnover ball at the breakdown. WARRICK GELANT There has been a lot said about the talent that is Gelant and when his time will come to don the Springbok No 15 jersey.
Well that time has finally come after the Bulls fullback put in some scintillating performances for both club and country in the past few months.
While the wet and heavy underfoot European conditions might not be the best for Gelant, there can be no denying that he is a future Bok star in the making and will be a handy attacking weapon going forward.
His kicking and defence have improved immensely, all he has to do is to be at the right place at the right time. CURWIN BOSCH
Bosch has had little time in the Bok jersey to show what he is made off and surely he will be handed more time in the saddle on this tour.
Bosch is another schoolboy prodigy who has had a meteoric rise up the ranks and rightfully so.
The boy possesses an enormous boot and is deadly accurate with his goalkicking and drop-goals. Bosch also has the flair on attack that can get any backline moving and often makes the right decisions.
The one glaring weakness is his defence but the Boks should get him right for him to mount a formidable challenge for the No 10 jumper.