New dawn for the Boks
IT’S 23 years since Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, emerged from the tunnel at Ellis Park Stadium wearing the now-famous No 6 jersey to inspire the Springboks to their first World Cup win.
The late Mandela’s public endorsement of the Springboks was not only a memorable picture of Africa’s first World Cup but it was the symbol of unity for a country that was for so long divided.
Today, Siya Kolisi, the first black captain in the team’s more than a century-long history, will walk in Mandela’s footsteps, down the very same tunnel at Ellis Park, wearing the very same No 6 jersey as he leads a new-look Springbok team into a new dawn, under new coach Rassie Erasmus, when they play against England, in the first Test of the Incoming Series.
The 27-year-old, whose appointment to the Springbok captaincy has seen him reach cult status, says he doesn’t want to think too much about the fanfare around the captaincy and the magnitude of it.
He’s hoping to reflect on his historic achievement, after the series against England has been won.
“I know how big a task this is, playing England, and that has been the main focus. The main thing is making sure we perform on Saturday.
“Obviously there is a new coaching staff and we have to learn new things, so that has been my focus in the last couple of days.
“Tomorrow will be the first time that everything just comes together for me, and realising how big this moment is.”
While all eyes will be on Kolisi, the Port Elizabeth-born loose forward says his only focus is to lead through his actions on the field, and to also use the leadership qualities of players around him.
With all the euphoria around Kolisi’s appointment and the many new faces in the Springbok squad, there is also an unblemished series record against England that the Springboks will want to maintain.
“The crowd always get behind us and for some reason, we always turn it up when we play here. We bring our best. I think it won’t be any different this time. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Kolisi’s life journey from poverty and adversity in the township of Zwide in Port Elizabeth, to becoming a rugby star, will be inspiration for his teammates.
“People always ask me what my favourite field is to play on. For the Springboks it is Ellis Park. It’s really a special field to play in.
“Singing the national anthem when you look at the crowd, you see the whole of South Africa in front of you, all different races and colours. It’s one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.”
It’s time the Springboks restored pride in the national jersey. They can do that today by beating a world powerhouse – an England team coached by the wily Eddie Jones. Every man in new coach Rassie Erasmus’s match-day 23 has a huge role to play at Ellis Park today (5pm kick-off), but for rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen these five men in particular have to stand up and be counted if the Boks are to have a chance of starting the three-Test series on a winning note...
WITH two new wings in the mix and an outside centre who’s played just one Test, it is up to the 26-year-old De Allende to give direction at the back.
Thankfully he is back in form, like he was in 2014/15, but he now needs to make the 12 jersey his own.
Montpellier-based Frans Steyn’s future participation for the Boks has to be questioned and Andre Esterhuizen is still a rookie, so De Allende needs to take charge.
His hard, straight-running will be key, but his off-loading also needs to be good to keep the English on their toes. He’s also going to have his work cut out keeping England skipper Owen Farrell in check. It’s a big day and a big job for the South African No 12.
AFTER being the new hotshot No 9 in 2016, the former Lions man was ignored by former coach Allister Coetzee last year, but new boss Rassie Erasmus believes De Klerk can be a world star for his national team.
The now Sale-based scrumhalf has a huge opportunity to build a career at nine for the Boks, but performing at a high standard each week is imperative. If he gets it right today the Boks will win.
De Klerk is a game-breaker and match-winner. He’ll be a handful with ball in hand, but it’s his kicking game that will determine whether he walks off the field with a tick behind his name.
His duel with Ben Youngs will be fascinating to watch.
THE veteran No 8 said earlier this week he was “lus” (keen) to play for the Boks again. Well, he must now walk the talk and deliver a knockout performance for his team.
In the absence of key breakdown man hooker Malcolm Marx, Vermeulen will be tasked with getting stuck in at the breakdowns and winning turn-overs and penalties for the Boks.
He’ll also be required to carry the ball over the gainline and get his side on the front foot. And let’s not forget the balls he’ll be asked to win at the back of the line-out.
At 31 and with 39 caps to his name, he is a leader up front and today has to show he is still worth backing for Test rugby.
IN THE absence of the injured Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, and with Pieter-Steph du Toit on the bench, the role of hard-man in the tight-five has fallen on rookie Snyman, who’ll be on debut.
The 2.06m tall lock, who tips the scales at 120kg, is fully deserving of his call-up after producing quality performances for the Bulls.
He has a massive role to play today, firing up the pack and being a first-receiver to get the Boks over the advantage line... everything about him screams Bakkies Botha.
Snyman faces a huge test going up against seasoned pro Maro Itoje, but the new Springbok is a wonderful specimen who has a chance to really announce himself to world rugby today.
FORGET Siya Kolisi, the new wings, Snyman, De Klerk... the man who’ll be under the most pressure today will be Mbonambi.
The fact he’s only played a handful of minutes after missing months of action because of a burst appendix and has to fill the void left by Marx has many questioning his selection.
It’s a big ask but the 27-year-old has a big heart and a big motor and will relish his opportunity to have the No 2 on his back. He’s a livewire in the loose and he’ll busy himself around the rucks and mauls, but where Mbonambi needs to shine today is in the line-outs... hit his targets and he’ll get a high mark behind his name.
That’s all Erasmus will be asking for.