Doctors’ opinions, specialists’ views, fitness, as well as strength and conditioning reports will help guide Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber before he unveils his 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) on Tuesday.
The injuries that have kept captain Siya Kolisi (knee injury) and flyhalf Handré Pollard (calf) from participating in the Rugby Championship have cast an ominous shadow, but both are said to be on course to return to fitness before the tournament kicks off on September 8.
However, should Kolisi and Pollard carry their injuries to France, it will affect the composition of the squad as Nienaber will have to build contingencies.
What they perhaps have to do first is establish how to divide their squad’s resources.
Nienaber and Co may well go for a 18/15 split between backs and forwards but a 19/14 configuration may better suit their requirements should Kolisi carry his injury into the RWC.
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has made it clear the captain will accompany the team to France even if they have to wait for his restoration to fitness during the tournament.
Marco van Staden and Deon Fourie are potent ball pilferers, and if they are both omitted, the Boks will do so at their peril.
Risky business
That may be risky given the Boks’ previous experience at the RWC.
While there is no like-for-like replacement for what Kolisi brings to the Bok cause, Kwagga Smith probably comes closest. He too creates chaos in contact and carries particular potency in the wider channels.
I’d also make room for Deon Fourie, a player who brings versatility but crucially too a knack of applying his hand in the game’s big moments. The 36-year-old can also be considered at hooker, though that would have to happen at the expense of Joseph Dweba.
Kolisi could be back in action in the RWC warm-up game against Wales on August 19, or the All Blacks on August 25. That would lengthen the odds on Fourie’s inclusion.
Elsewhere in the back row, the more established order will likely crack the nod. No 8 Evan Roos, who was on the bench in yesterday’s Test against Argentina, along with utility forward Jean-Luc du Preez, would have had to do a lot to convince the selectors.
Marco van Staden has been a solid performer and should consider himself unlucky should he not make the squad. He and Fourie are potent ball pilferers, and if they are both omitted, the Boks will do so at their peril.
Established props
The four established props will be included, while Trevor Nyakane may get the nod as he did four years ago as the versatile option.
In midfield, André Esterhuizen has also made a compelling case for selection. However, Damian de Allende, despite a bumpy ride against the All Blacks, and Lukhanyo Am, have established themselves as the Old Firm in midfield.
As is the case at flank, the Boks have to wait for the return of a key player at flyhalf. The importance of his return to fitness cannot be overstated.
Manie Libbok has proven himself more than capable in the No 10 jersey but as the only recognised goal kicker, his fitness in Pollard’s absence is paramount.
Hendrikse a shoo-in
At scrumhalf, the Boks are likely to include Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams, who will double as a wing. Hendrikse, though, has not seen Test action since November last year. A shoulder injury has kept him from match action since April, while the death of his father set back his expected return. His performances for the Boks last year carry enough weight to get him to France.
After Hendrikse was left out of yesterday’s clash, Nienaber explained they are familiar with the scrumhalf’s virtues.
Should the Boks opt for only three scrumhalves, Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies appear set to miss out. Reinach brings qualities similar to that of Williams but the latter appears to have stolen the march on the more experienced campaigner.
Williams can potentially be deployed on the wing, which should come as little comfort for men like Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie. If the selectors opt to take four wings, they will both travel.
The Bok squad will feature many returnees from the previous RWC. Tendai Mtawarira retired after that final but the rest of the starting team are all in the running. The team will boast vast experience, but some may argue the Boks are treading a fine line.
Likely Bok RWC squad
Backs — Willie le Roux, Damian Willemse (utility back), Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Damian de Allende, Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Grant Williams (utility back).
Forwards — Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco Mostert (utility forward), Kwagga Smith, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Steven Kitshoff, Ox Nche, Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.