SOUTH AFRICA
FIXTURES: August 20 v Argentina (Nelspruit); August 27 v Argentina (Salta); September 10 v Australia (Brisbane), September 17 v New Zealand (Christchurch); October 1 v Australia (Pretoria); October 8 v New Zealand (Durban)
SQUAD NEWS AND PREPARATIONS:
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has included uncapped Malcolm Marx and recalled Oupa Mohoje, Vincent Koch, Juan de Jongh, Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana and Johan Goosen – outstanding for Racing last season – for the opening two matches of the Championship. Coetzee had endured a testing start to his new regime. In his first Test the Boks lost to Ireland despite the Irish being reduced to 14 men but although never hitting the heights his squad showed plenty of spirit to fight back and win the series 2-1.
STRENGTHS:
Normally you would point straight away to the front five but with a combination of injuries, retirement’s and one or two players misfiring South Africa haven’t been quite the force they would wish so far. However no pack with a fully revved up Lood de Jaager, Eben Etzebeth, Adrian Strauss and ‘Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira is going to struggle for long. The back division is very physical and they have pace and guile out wide.
WEAKNESSES: Fly-half is something of a problem area with Handre Pollard and Pat Lambie injured, Morne Steyn perhaps not quite the force he was and Pat Lambie prone to blow hot and cold. Much responsibility could fall on Eltion Jantjies who is also inconsistent. PLAYERS TO WATCH: It’s the established big names in the pack who need to perform for South Africa to prosper. Eben Etzebeth at his best – and we haven’t seen that for a little while now – is one of the world’s great locks and Lood de Jaager isn’t far from behind. Danie Vermuelen was their best forward at RWC2015 and needs to rediscover that form, ditto Francois Louw. RISING STAR: Lions scrum-half Faf de Klerk is a major new talent and was probably their MOM in all three Tests against Ireland. Fast, strong, explosive, good pass and also outstanding defensively.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY:
Bottom in last year’s truncated Championship when they lost all three Tests and generally not as good as it should be for such a Rugby Superpower. The Boks have garnered just three TriNations titles and are still seeking their first Rugby Championship title. They do always have it in them to produce a big performance though, not least two years ago when they produced a stunning 27-25 win over New Zealand in one of the best games the tournament has seen. PREDICTION: Tough rebuilding campaign. Will do well to finish higher than 3rd.