Coetzee ready to show hand
SPRINGBOK SQUAD: CAPTAIN CONUNDRUM AS SOUTH AFRICAN FANS AWAIT ANNOUNCEMENT
Rudolph Jacobs
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will be caught under the proverbial spotlight with the announcement of the 31man national squad on Tuesday for the three-match Test series against France next month.
The announcement of his new national captain will probably be Coetzee’s most burning issue with former skipper Adriaan Strauss announcing his retirement after last season’s nightmare season.
SP Marais, Willie le Roux and Andries Coetzee are the choice fullbacks with Johan Goosen in retirement mode.
On the wings Courtnall Skosan, Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen are in top form with veterans like Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen also still there, but Ruan Combrinck might not be back in the mix just yet.
Frans Steyn could be a surprise in midfield along with Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel with Rohan Janse van Rensburg on the injured list.
Elton Jantjies has been the inform flyhalf, but Handre Pollard (ankle) and Pat Lambie (concussion) must still prove they are over their niggles.
With Faf de Klerk left out in the cold, the new flavours seem to be Jano Vermaak, Dewaldt Duvenhage and Francois Hougaard.
With both Marcell Coetzee and Francois Louw injured, Jaco Kriel (if he is over his knee injury), Siya Kolisi and Warren Whiteley have to feature, while Duane Vermeulen and Willem Alberts will be strong considerations. Chris Cloete, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Oupa Mohoje could also feature.
Coetzee won’t go wrong with Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager, while the Sharks’ Ruan Botha deserves a mention.
Beast Mtawarira and Frans Malherbe should remain the choices at prop, with Coenie Oosthuizen, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane and maybe Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit and Ruan Dreyer also considerations.
Malcolm Marx chooses himself at hooker along with Bongi Mbonambi, while the Lions’ Robbie Coetzee could also be added if Coetzee is not interested in Bismarck du Plessis making a comeback.