Boks free of brouhaha
Coach’s transparency key in establishing World Cup squad
● That the Springbok Rugby World Cup (RWC) squad that is named tomorrow will feature no bolters and will be spared pre-departure eleventh hour public convulsion, is testament to coach Rassie Erasmus’s planning and execution.
It does of course help that Erasmus doubles as SA Rugby’s director of rugby, which in effect meant, unlike his predecessors, he could shape his team’s preparations unfettered.
He has been transparent with his players, coaching staff as well as the media, and it is a trait that has helped create an environment in which the squad announcement will be free of the usual brouhaha.
Erasmus is likely to include 12 black players in his squad of 31 with Bulls prop Lizo Gqoboka probably the most unfortunate to miss out after a stellar season.
In effect, he is a victim of the decision to take five props to the showpiece tournament, with Trevor Nyakane designated to play tighthead as well as loosehead if required.
It means Vincent Koch, whose stock has been bullish since joining Saracens, cracks the nod alongside Tendai Mtawarira, Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe.
Well stocked at lock
Given the way they’ve been deployed this season the hookers and the second row have been locked down for some time. Malcolm Marx has Bongi Mbonambi breathing down his neck, while Schalk Brits, also a RWC campaigner in 2015, brings the coach a reassuring presence somewhere on this side of the wallpaper.
The Bok engine room is well greased with Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager and RG Snyman all capable of leaving a sizable imprint on proceedings on their day. Pieter-Steph du Toit presents the coach a further second-row option.
In the backrow, however, there was potentially a place that may have invited debate. Alongside captain Siya Kolisi, Du Toit, Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw there is only room for one more loose forward.
With Marcell Coetzee out of contention due to injury, Kwagga Smith is the player most likely to crack the nod ahead of Rynhardt Elstadt.
Though Elstadt gets through a ton of unglamorous toil, the Boks are better served by players like Louw and Smith who can potentially change the course of events.
Both are judicious ball poachers, an invaluable skill in knockout matches when both scoreline and time are tight.
Bases covered at base of scrum
The three scrumhalves and the two flyhalves don’t warrant much debate. In Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies and Cobus Reinach, the coach has scrumhalves that cover all the bases. De Klerk provides the zip and intimate understanding of what the Boks need to do next, Jantjies brings mayhem that makes him a fringe play menace, while Reinach has the boot and unbridled pace in open spaces.
In Pollard the Boks have an all-round flyhalf that must now rank among the best in his position.
If he has the ability to bang doors down, then Elton Jantjies has a locksmith, if not a pickpocket’s touch. Problem is, sometimes the latter gets caught.
At centre there may be a debate around who of Damian de Allende, Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel and Frans Steyn will crack the nod in the Boks’ crunch opening match against the All Blacks in Yokohama.
The latter of course covers fullback and flyhalf and his booming boot may yet prove invaluable in tight contests.
X-factor and explosiveness at the back
The outside backs will take up five positions. The explosive S’bu Nkosi, Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe are the men designated to feature out wide.
At fullback Willie le Roux brings experience and potential X-factor, while his understudy Warrick Gelant also holds the promise of X-rated stuff, depending of course at which end his confidence level registers.
Unlike the selection of Rudy Paige in 2015, Erasmus is not taking any rookies, and with it will perhaps spare us any unedifying sights from this RWC.
The Springbok squad for the Rugby World Cup is already a settled unit. Siya Kolisi will be leading a side that is likely to feature as many as 14 players who featured in the 2015 tournament in England