What a Test year ahead

We’re still some way off the Springboks playing their first Test of 2024 but one thing is for sure: all rugby fans are in for a treat this year because not only is it a new cycle in the world of rugby, but all four Rugby Championship teams have new men in charge.

And with those changes at the top comes the possibility of fresh ideas, coaching philosophies and different styles of rugby.

The Boks will be coached by Rassie Erasmus, who’s not all that new in the system having coached the team full-time between 2018 and 2019, but he still takes over the reins from Jacques Nienaber and it will be interesting to see what new plans he has in store for the team – and the rugby world, for that matter.

He’s sure to have some tricks up his sleeve.

The All Blacks, of course, who lost by a point to the Boks in the World Cup final last year, will have a whole new look about them now that former Crusaders boss Scott Robertson is in charge. And, what will he bring to the mix?

We’ve seen it’s one thing being a great franchise team coach and quite another doing the job at Test level.

Just ask Robbie Deans – also a former successful Crusaders boss who just couldn’t cut it as a Test coach. He’s not the only one.

Then there are the Wallabies, who are desperate for some success and stability in 2024 after the flop of firing Dave Rennie and banking on Eddie Jones to get the best out of the Wallabies.

Now it’s up to New Zealander and former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt to save Australian rugby. Will he be able to do the job? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure, he’s a very astute coach.

And then there is Argentina, and they too have a new man in charge, with Felipe Contepomi taking over from Australian Michael Cheika.

Will he be able to get the best out of Los Pumas, or will they remain a team that picks up the odd big win against the three other southern hemisphere sides?

All said, it’s shaping up to be a big Test year…and I haven’t even touched on the matches against the best from up north.