Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will announce his squad today for the double Tests in Australia during the Rugby Championship that kicks off next month.
Erasmus admitted after the Portugal Test that several debutants and youngsters had put their hand up for selection. But he will likely rely on his experienced campaigners to do duty, especially in the first Test in Brisbane (August 10), while hopefully mixing things up for the second one in Perth (August 17).
Independent Newspapers takes a look at the players at Erasmus’ disposal and those who could have sneaked in through the back door.
The front row
There’s an abundance of picks that won’t let the Bok pack down in any Test. With Malcolm Marx out injured after fracturing his leg, it opens the door for youngsters Johan Grobbelaar and Andre-Hugo Venter, who were both excellent on their debuts against Portugal.
The guys anchoring the scrum on both sides, apart from Gerhard Steenekamp, provide plenty of experience. At least one swinging prop, that can pack down on both sides, is necessary.
Locking it in
With a couple of loose forwards who can do duty at lock, the Boks should be covered in Franco Mostert’s long-term injury absence. Enforcer Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman will in all likelihood be the starters, with the 66th Bok captain, Salmaan Moerat, providing the cover in that department. The Boks do look a bit thin here, but Erasmus will always have a backup to their backup plan.
Who stays and who goes as loosies
The toughest selection call to make would probably have been in the loose trio.
Should Pieter-Steph du Toit be ready, he naturally slots in, but youngster Ben-Jason Dixon should provide good enough cover. Whatever the selection today, the Springboks will be covered thanks to the big pool of readily available loosies.
Tried and trusted combinations
The three fit scrumhalves in the set-up can pair with any flyhalf, but Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach have stated their case for the starting berth over in Australia. Handre Pollard will likely remain in the saddle at flyhalf, with newbie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu pushing him and Manie Libbok for that starting position.
Manning the midfield
It’s a straight shootout in midfield for the world champions between experienced campaigners.
There is the settled combination of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, but Lukhanyo Am wants his No 13 jersey back, looking at his performance the past weekend. De Allende left the camp early for personal reasons but should be returning, while the verdict is still out on the red card for Andre Esterhuizen.
No back-three worries, just who to pick
Another area where Erasmus will face a positive selection conundrum is in the back thee. Makazole Mapimpi keeps working hard to get his starting place back and hasn’t been affected by the preferred combination of Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
If Willie le Roux is cleared from his concussion, which he should be, the Boks will be back to full strength at the back. Of course, the versatility of Feinberg-Mngomezulu provides sufficient cover at the back.
Probable Springbok squad
Props: Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Thomas du Toit; Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi, Johan Grobbelaar, Andre-Hugo Venter; Locks: Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, RG Snyman; Loose forwards: Siya Kolisi (cap), Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith; Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk, Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach; Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok; Centres: Damian de Allende, Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel; Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi.