>> Neil de Kock: Boks to watch
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has ushered in a new era for South African rugby with 17 uncapped players in a 43-man squad for Tests against Wales and England this month. The squad comprises a mix of exciting new players that have performed in Super Rugby and the Guinness PRO14, coupled with a number of experienced stalwarts.
Erasmus’ greater plans have been revealed in that 17 players haven’t travelled to Washington, with the primary aim of preparing for the English invasion.
With no disrespect to the one-off Test in the United States, the main focus for the Springboks is definitely the three-Test series against England. Having played with Rassie during my national career, I know him as a wily old rugby brain and a very strong personality. The battle of the coaches – Erasmus versus Eddie Jones – will prove an intriguing subplot.
It’s set to be a fascinating series because Erasmus is desperate to start his tenure on a winning note and Jones, who coached me at Saracens, is looking to return England to the form they displayed prior to a faltering Six Nations. England may be depleted in certain positions, owing to a raft of injuries, but Springbok supporters must make no mistake about it – this is not a reserve squad for England heading out to South Africa.
Both Erasmus and Jones are brilliant rugby brains, incredibly driven individuals and are competitive to the core. The series is going to be as much a battle of the minds, as it will be a clash on the field.
In terms of game plan, Erasmus has hinted at employing a pragmatic, defence-based approach in the infancy of his tenure, with the sole objective to play winning rugby. It’s difficult to create a plan and certain way of playing in such a short space of time. It’s a restart process for South Africa, with new coaches and fresh players in place. Test rugby is defined by fine margins and Rassie knows that better than anyone. The Springboks will play to their traditional strengths – sound defence and solid set-piece – but as the series unfolds, we will find a far more balanced Springbok team and approach.
I foresee Rassie instilling confidence and ambition within the playing group. Moreover, he has made a brilliant decision in appointing Siya Kolisi as captain the series. It’s an inspired choice and one that SA rugby needs. Kolisi has proven he is a wonderful rugby player, obvious leader of men and boasts unbelievable support from his peers. He is the natural choice and the players will follow him.
Faf de Klerk is set to start in the crucial No.9 position. He enjoyed an outstanding debut season with Sale Sharks and would get my vote. I don’t think we have a lack of very good scrum-halves in South Africa, but what has happened is that not one No.9 has been head and shoulders above the rest.
The experience that Faf has gained playing abroad and, having represented the Springboks before, is crucial.
He has been playing week-in and week-out against English opposition, so he would definitely be, in my mind, the go-to-guy to start against England. He has added to his game, which was already at a high standard, since swapping Johannesburg for Manchester. His game management has taken priority in UK conditions, but he hasn’t lost his game-breaking ability. He can create something out of nothing, which is a real strength of his.
Digging deep into my own archives, I was part of the team that played against England at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. There is a healthy rivalry between the two nations and a massive motivation and will to win. It’s a fascinating time for South Africa to be up against England, who have recently been one of the front-running countries in world rugby.
In an ideal world, any coach would have liked more time with a new squad to settle things down and get his message across. Howfor ever, Rassie has been a man on a mission, creating synergy with the respective provincial unions in South Africa. He is succeeding in getting people on the same page, but we must also be realistic about what to expect.
England will have ambitions to go to South Africa and win the series 3-0. What Eddie says in the media isn’t mind games – it’s truly what he wants his team to believe and come out and achieve. You don’t head into a series saying, “I think we’re going to win 2-1’’. The target is always a clean sweep. The desire from England will be to whitewash their opponents and, from a South African point of view, it should be no different.
I believe the Springboks will be focused more on themselves in terms of how they want to play, but they will look to unsettle England where they can. To their advantage, the Springboks will be going into the series as underdogs and rightly so. Having been N.2 on the World Rugby rankings for a long time, England are still favourites albeit on South African soil.
“Kolisi has proven he’s a wonderful rugby player and leader of men ... he is the natural choice as captain”