By Lucky Vince Pienaar
The questions that need to be answered this weekend – and there are many – have to be seen through the reality that the Springboks are the world champions and Portugal is very much a second-tier team.
This is the kind of match in which the top-ranked team must score a dominant victory, or the other team will walk away with the honours.
Portugal got this shot at playing the Springboks after their spirited performance at the World Cup, including a spectacular win over Fiji in the pool matches. Do not think Os Lobos will give up without a fight!
The team Rassie Erasmus selected has set up some tasty questions.
Ben-Jason Dixon and Phepsi Buthelezi have been given a golden opportunity with the flank positions in the balance, with Pieter-Steph injured and Kwagga Smith not at his best against Ireland.
But it’s a poisoned chalice for the new players. They’d better be spectacularly good. If not? Who knows?
Front rowers Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Andre-Hugo Venter are also suddenly much closer to selection with Malcolm Marx’s injury, Bongi Mbonabi’s age and Joseph Dweba having fallen from favour. It’s hard to imagine that the new guys won’t be good, but they must be brilliant.
Coming off the bench, Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn should thrive. It’s the kind of game the Gauteng Lions players like to play.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu had an exciting, if not perfect game against Ireland. Between himself and Aphelele Fassi, they are lively, expansive players. But which one will outshine the other?
In the backline, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok may be fighting for their last opportunity to keep a place in the Springboks team.
And spare a thought for Salmaan Moerat. The 26-year-old has proven himself as captain at provincial level, but how will he do as Springbok captain? It’s been a long time coming, and he deserves it, but he had better take charge.
It will be up to him to ensure that the players play as a team and don’t pursue personal glory. Guiding players like Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen requires a big man with a lot of presence.
The match takes place at 5pm on Saturday at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Pictured above: Springboks in training.
Source: Springboks/X
