The Citizen (Gauteng)

Bok selection mainly gets thumbs-up

- Rudolph Jacobs

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee gave a strong indication this week just where he is heading with the team with the announceme­nt of his first national squad for the internatio­nal season.

There was general approval of the 31 players he included and the appointmen­t of Warren Whiteley as his new captain was widely welcomed. But there still appear to be certain challenges he is faced with.

He should be commended by only selecting four foreign players, sending out a strong message if players in the future want to turn out for the Boks, they should stay home.

It signalled the end of the road to long Bok careers of former stars like wings Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen, flank Willem Alberts and hooker Bismarck du Plessis.

Coetzee believes to get overseas players home only a week before a Test is just not workable and was just maybe the origin of all the Bok headaches of last year and something he has mostly sidesteppe­d this time around.

There should be no clash of personalit­ies or doubt that Whiteley deserves his starting position, which is a prerequisi­te for the captain.

It will also solve a problem of a strong No 7 flank and ball-carrier the Boks had last season, a role which could be tailor-made for the abrasive Duane Vermeulen.

But there seems to be uncertaint­y about the midfield, openside and front row combinatio­ns.

Last year’s initial choice at No 13, Lionel Mapoe, is now in the SA A side, which could leave Coetzee with a choice between Frans Steyn and Damian de Allende for his No 12 and between Jan Serfontein and Lukhanyo Am at 13, with Jesse Kriel also in his mix.

Kriel could also be an option at wing where Coetzee has specialist­s like Courtnall Skosan, Raymond Rhule and Dillyn Leyds at his disposal.

The explosive Jaco Kriel should be the logical choice as his opensider, but Coetzee will also consider Siya Kolisi and Oupa Mohoje.

Frans Malherbe and Beast Mtawarira should start as the props with Ruan Dreyer, Coenie Oosthuizen, Steven Kitshoff and Lizo Gqoboka to provide the variety.

But it’s vital Coetzee gets his selection mix right from the start as last year there was no clear indication what his best starting lineup should look like.

Flyhalf is another issue and one could assume there will be considerab­le movement in the squad by the end of the French series.

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