By Lucky Vince Pienaar
For those wondering what strange selections Rassie Erasmus may come up with, well, you can stop wondering.
The Springbok coach has selected a solid, no-nonsense squad to represent South Africa in the Rugby Championship, which kicks off on 10 August.
Erasmus is spoilt for choice in most positions, thanks to the careful management of existing players and the development of emerging talent.
It’s a testament to the depth of South African rugby that the unavailability of key players does not seem to have weakened the squad.
Among the forwards are Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert (all locks), and Steven Kitshoff. Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies (all scrumhalves), Canan Moodie, and Damian Willemse are not available due to injury.
Jasper Wiese’s suspension leaves a hole in the back row, possibly weakening the eighth-man position. Hopefully, Erasmus will not be tempted to play Kwagga Smith, one of the best flanks in the world, in the number 8 slot again.
The prospect of three flyhalves in the team will be interesting, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu posing as much of a threat to Handré Pollard as he does to Manie Libbok.
Pollard is a brilliant kicker, but he is not the best flyhalf. Libbok’s kicking problems overshadow the fact that his play in the midfield outside the scrumhalf is as good as anybody in the world.
Mngomezulu, on the other hand, ticks almost all the boxes, but his defence has yet to be tested.
The Springbok squad for the 2024 Rugby Championship:
Forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (c), Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams
Pictured above: The Springboks in action against Portugal.
Source: Springboks/X
