Rassie won’t commit himself on Bok skipper

For Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus (right) the serious business of naming the national skipper is not something cast in stone.

Erasmus hinted that it shouldn’t be seen as a foregone conclusion that the skippers from last season – No 8 Warren Whiteley and lock Eben Etzebeth – would necessarily continue.

“The normal names will pop up, the Ebens the Siyas, the Whiteleys. Warren has currently just come back from injury and played just two games, Eben is more long-term,” said Erasmus.

“It’s really early days, but there’s a lot of leaders as the Super Rugby continues but it’s not absolutely clear in my mind just yet.”

Erasmus hinted as well that a few new faces could be expected in the national team this year.

“I planned to work with the new Bok coach the same way as I did with the SA A team or with Neil Powell at the Sevens, my planning was to do the same until it was decided to give me the position.

“We have only played two Super Rugby rounds, but I think sometimes we take too long before we select certain players,” he said.

Erasmus said while two different squads will be used for the Wales Test on June 2 and the first England Test at Ellis Park a week later, the cooperation with Super Rugby franchises excited him.

“Obviously we cannot tell a coach where he can play a player, but we are busy opening up a channel where we are part of their planning and training sessions,” he said, while stressing that the Cheetahs and Kings won’t be neglected.

With the cooperation of Robbie Fleck (Stormers), Robert du Preez (Sharks), John Mitchell (Bulls) and Swys de Bruin (Lions), the Boks could regain their former glory, he said.

“It depends how much Fleckie, Robert, John or Swys allow us, it’s an open door policy, but they have been great,” he said.