Heroes of ’95 pick their key Springboks
This lineup is what is needed to lift the William Webb-Ellis trophy in England
THE heroes of the 1995 World Cup brought pride to South Africa when they lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy — the first of two titles the Springboks claimed — on home soil.
The Sunday Times caught up with some of them and asked them for their views on who they thought would be able to assist Heyneke Meyer’s team in lifting the trophy for the third time.
They picked the players who would best perform in their own positions where they featured in 1995.
(loosehead prop) Steven Kitshoff: “He may not be in the squad, but he is the best scrummer in SA.
“He concedes no penalties at the scrum, makes lots of turnovers at scrums; he’s a hard worker and good defender.
“Set pieces will be most crucial at the World Cup.”
(hooker) Chris Rossouw was the starting hooker, but was unavailable. Naka Drotske was the reserve No 2. Bismarck du Plessis: “He has proven over the years that he is the No 1 hooker in South Africa. In fact, he is regarded as arguably the best hooker in the world.
“The physicality that he brings is a massive boost.”
(tighthead prop) Because he is employed by SA Rugby as a scrum consultant, Swart was not at liberty to give his personal opinion.
Drotske offered his views on who would be the best candidate to line up next to the hooker. Jannie du Plessis: “He is a proven scrummager and his experience will go a long way. Scrums will be a vital part of the World Cup and you need a front row with vast experience, which Du Plessis will offer. He will be a key player in the tournament.”
(No 4 lock) Eben Etzebeth: “He brings clarity to the pack and is fantastic with front-foot ball. He is phys-
ALWAYS COMMITTED: Eben Etzebeth is highly regarded as a key player for the Springboks ical and abrasive, and he gets plenty of lineout ball. He just brings fire to that forwards belly.”
(No 5 lock) Eben Etzebeth: “He is a very strong guy who is always committed. He does very well in the lineouts. Victor Matfield I would use as an impact player.”
(flank) Despite numerous attempts to get hold of Pienaar, he was not reachable on his phone and the former Springbok skipper failed to return calls.
(flank) Starting No 7 Reuben Kruger passed away in 2010.
Straeuli was the backup loose forward.
Despite numerous calls and KOBUS WIESE: The former Bok hero chose Eben Etzebeth as his key man HANNES STRYDOM: He says he would use Victor Matfield as an impact player messages sent to Straeuli, he was not reachable and failed to return the calls and messages.
(No 8) Duane Vermeulen: “Based on experience and what he has shown he can do. Pieter-Steph du Toit would be my No 5 lock.”
(scrumhalf) Joost van der Westhuizen was the starting scrumhalf, but his speech has been affected by the motor neurone disease he has contracted. Johan Roux was the backup No 9 in 1995, but he was also unreachable.
(flyhalf) Handre Pollard: “I would play Pat Lambie at fullback and have Willie le Roux coming in from the bench. Pollard is physical, attacks the gain line well and has a great boot.”
(left
Williams’ phone was off all week and he was not reachable.
(inside cen- Damian de Allende: “It depends on the strategy and game plan who should play at centre. If you consider the broader scope of things, at this stage the combination of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel has been preferred.
Frans Steyn would have been of importance, especially under the right conditions. He would relieve a lot of the pressure and offers his boot. But De Allende is the one.”
(outside cen- Jesse Kriel: “He is just so full of excitement and brings the side to life. He brings something different and is a bit of an unknown factor at the moment which could work to the Springboks’ advantage.”
Etzebeth brings clarity to the pack and is fantastic with front-foot ball. He is physical and abrasive Kriel is just full of excitement and brings the side to life. He brings something different
(right wing) Despite agreeing to speak to the Sunday Times and setting a time to call back, Small did not answer his phone which he switched off in the end.
(fullback) Willie le Roux: “Purely because he has been playing for the side in the position for a while now. He brings so much on attack and is also an option when implementing the kicking game.”