Rassie’s men will just have to be patient

Nobody likes to play waiting games. Whether you’re standing in a bank queue, anticipating the payment of your salary or being delayed at a robot, it’s a fact that everybody hates waiting.

Unfortunately, at the World Cup in Japan, the Springboks now have to play a waiting game before they will know their next opposition.

At this stage Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has to analyse three different teams before getting a final answer on Sunday as Japan, Ireland and Scotland all remain potential quarterfinal opponents.

Two games tomorrow – New Zealand against Italy and England against France – had to be cancelled due to the threat of the typhoon Hagibis, but it won’t directly affect the Boks.

What could affect them directly, however, is the crucial Pool A decider on Sunday between Japan and Scotland.

While the game is still in the balance, a Japan win could see the hosts facing the Boks, while a Scotland victory could see the Boks playing Ireland, though that is on condition that the Irish beat Samoa tomorrow.

If the game between Japan and Scotland is called off it could also affect the Boks because each team will then get two points and Scotland will be knocked out.

It could also affect New Zealand, who as Pool B winners are due to play the runners-up in Pool A.

But that is all down to speculation at this stage and Erasmus won’t be relying too much on “ifs”, and he is likely to wait patiently and let proceedings run their course.

The compilation of his team, however, could be determined by the opposition they will face.

With Japan and Scotland more intent on playing an ambitious game, Erasmus could opt for a 7/3 split on his bench with seven forwards and three backs, but if the Boks turn out against Ireland, Erasmus could very well go in with a 6/2 split due to their opposition’s forward-oriented game.

This could influence Erasmus’ call on whether to go with Damian Willemse or Elton Jantjies on the bench, and whether to name both RG Snyman and Franco Mostert among his replacements.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see.