SET FOUR TO YOUNG FOR GUNS NEW-LOOK FIRE SPRINGBOKS
WARRICK GELANT Full-back/wing Age: 23 Team: Bulls
The inventive outside back has been in scintillating form this season. He is a phenomenal athlete and can create magic at any moment. When you have New Zealanders speaking about you week-in and week-out you must be doing something right. The two-Test Springbok is a wonderful prospect and, if he’s not hampered by injury, he can play for South Africa for many years to come. The young flyer has been played at full-back and on the wing. I’m not a massive fan of the concept of utility players, but positional versatility is a wonderful ace to have up your sleeve. He is equally comfortable on the wing as he is in the No.15 shirt, but I’m certain he would like to settle in one position at some point.
LUKHANYO AM Centre Age: 24 Team: Sharks
If you look at Am’s body of work over the last couple of seasons in Super Rugby, I don’t think he has got the credit he fully deserves. I hope his Springbok selection will provide him with the launchpad to stake a permanent claim for the outside centre spot for South Africa. Am, who is an experienced campaigner at first-class level, is a wonderful athlete and has a fantastic future. I hope he is afforded a proper opportunity to showcase his array of skills. Am is a good ball distributor, effective offloader and he boasts a proper physical presence, which is always what you want in a midfielder.
IVAN VAN ZYL Scrum-half Age: 22 Team: Bulls
With Faf De Klerk set to be the starting Springbok scrum-half, Van Zyl is an exciting young prospect who can back him up ably. The first-choice starter for his franchise boasts good service from the base of the ruck and is speedy to the breakdown. The nuggety No.9 also isn’t afraid to get stuck in on defence. Rassie Erasmus has selected scrumhalves who possess good all-round skillsets and Van Zyl ticks all of the boxes. Having yet to debut for the Springboks, the ex-South Africa U20 international is inexperienced, but could still start a Test against England. Van Zyl has played with Handré Pollard regularly during Super Rugby this season and combinations always prove their worth.
RG SNYMAN Position: Lock Age: 23 Team: Bulls
I enjoy watching the bruising second rower in action. In terms of size, he is the quintessential Springbok forward. He could potentially be a stalwart for South Africa for a long time to come. He’s a great ball-carrier, has a good turn of pace and is very physical. He possesses the athleticism as well as the strength and grunt, which is exactly what you want in a modern second rower. He is a hybrid model of Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. Had Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager been fit, Snyman probably would not have been seen as a Springbok starter. However, now given the opportunity to put on that jersey, and having first crack at it, it might be might difficult to prise it away from him.