The key to a repeat of that Lions victory in 2021
In just under two years, the Boks will face the Brits again
● While it’s pleasurable to bask in the glory of a Rugby World Cup victory, the threat of a British and Irish Lions tour in 2021 looms large.
It’s worth remembering that the 2021 tourists have yet to lose a series since 2009. In 2013 they saw off Australia and four years later, earned a hard-fought one-all draw in New Zealand.
SA Rugby director of rugby Johan “Rassie” Erasmus and his successor as coach have a task on their hands identifying the depth that’ll take the Boks to 2021 and beyond.
The British and Irish Lions are a far stronger playing group compared to their individual entities.
Here are the key positions where the kind of depth that played a critical role in the annexation of the Webb Ellis Cup on November 2 will come in handy in two years’ time after the recent retirements of Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Schalk Brits.
Loosehead prop
Incumbent: Steven Kitshoff (47 caps) — Stormers The “Spicy Plum” has started in only 12 Tests, but Mtawarira’s domination of the No 1 jersey has had a lot to do with that.
He’ll be 29 in 2021 and should be approaching the prime stage of his career.
He was brought back from Europe with reason and he’s a fully fledged scrummager like his predecessor with ball skills to match.
Understudies
Retshegofaditswe “Ox” Nche (1) — Sharks While the jury is still out on the 24-yearold’s scrumming abilities, his potential and talent is not in doubt. A return to Super Rugby with the Sharks as a replacement for Mtawarira is the first step in the right direction. Lizo Gqoboka (1) — Bulls
Having improved significantly this year, the 29-year-old should be even better in the next two years. Unlike Nche, he understands the bump and grind of Super Rugby. If fitness form holds next year, he has to be the first cab off the rank. Thomas du Toit — (12) — Sharks
It’s difficult to know which is Du Toit’s best position but there are better looseheads and better tight-heads than him. Unlike the two, he’s a World Cup winner, but didn’t have much of an influence as Vincent Koch and Kitshoff were much better options.
Hooker
Incumbents: Mbongeni Mbonambi (36) — Stormers and Malcolm Marx (33)
Mbonambi (28) and Marx (25) will swap positions as starting and reserve hookers for the foreseeable future. It worked with chilling effect at the Rugby World Cup where Mbonambi supplanted Marx as the starting hooker. It’ll be difficult to look past them in the next two to four years.
Understudies
Siyabonga “Scarra” Ntubeni (1) — Stormers
He has an internal Stormers battle with Mbonambi, but from a basics perspective, he’s very safe and he’s now one of the most experienced hookers in the domestic game. Fezokuhle Mbatha (none) — Sharks The South African Under-20 representative will face stiff competition from Dylan Richardson and Kerron van Vuuren at the Sharks. A good Super Rugby run will catapult the 20-year-old into the reckoning.
No 8
Incumbent: Duane Vermeulen (54) — Bulls
Whether Vermeulen will be at his peak at 35 in two years’ time remains to be seen, but in his position in the country, he’s peerless. It’s unlikely he’ll be around as a 37-year-old for the Rugby World Cup defence and as this tournament showed, a bona fide No 8 is a nobrainer for any team.
Understudies
Juarno Augustus (none) — Stormers
The 21-year-old former Under-20 World Player of the year from two years ago has to keep fit and the rest will fall into place. He has the physical and ball skills that make for a perfect No 8. Celimpilo Gumede (none) — Sharks
He’s a noted mover of bodies but the 19year-old has a fight on his hands at the Sharks with the number of quality loose forwards at Sean Everitt’s disposal. What they don’t have is a physical No 8 who’ll ask questions of opposition defences, like Gumede.
Flyhalf
Incumbents: Handre Pollard (48) — Montpellier; and Elton Jantjies (37) — Lions
Pollard (25) has at least two more Rugby World Cups in him while Jantjies (29) has about one more. Three fit 10s are important and the Boks had three in Japan. If injury strikes, which inevitably does, the Boks will have to look elsewhere for 10s, not that they’re short of world-class candidates.
Understudies
Damian Willemse (6) — Stormers The 21-year-old has been used at fullback, but flyhalf is his best position. He’s the best the Stormers/Western Province have in the position and it’s best they use him there to make Erasmus’ life easier.
Manie Libbok (none) — Bulls He needs to be trusted by his franchise, but he’s a quality 10 with all the tactical and technical tricks in the book.
Other up and comers:
Tyrone Green — An impressive fullback who’s appreciation of space and time allies with his kicking ability for the Lions. He’s one to watch and he showed it in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
Wandisile Simelane — If Ivan van Rooyen can get the best out of him, the Lions have a star of an outside centre in the making. However, he still has to learn the nuances of midfield play that separates Lukhanyo Am from everyone else.