The Springboks will arrive on the shores of Corsica awash with options for their Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland on September 10.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber and his co-selectors were presented not so much a selection nightmare as a dream scenario with excellent form available to them after their record 35-7 hammering of the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday.
It was a commanding performance from one to 15 for the Springboks. The inflated Bomb Squad that this time comprised seven forwards, continued the demolition job.
Nienaber’s starting team against Scotland will — at its core — mirror the selections made for the game at Twickenham, especially upfront.
While the starting front row of Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe is interchangeable with Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane, the selectors will likely stick with the established combinations.
Lood de Jager’s misfortune has given Franco Mostert the opportunity to reclaim the position he held at the start of the last RWC. He lost his regular starting spot there but went on to become an integral part of the Bok Bomb Squad.
Nienaber and Co will have to decide if he is most effective there.
The same can, perhaps, be argued of Duane Vermeulen, who earlier this year was earmarked for a role as substitute. On the evidence of this season, however, he appears equally at ease starting as he does finishing a match.
Key Bok asset
Faf de Klerk and Manie Libbok are the go-to halfbacks. Libbok, whose goal-kicking ability was disparaged in the last fortnight, delivered a blemish-free performance from the kicking tee in London.
His touch finders too hit the spot, while his distribution has now become a key Bok asset. He may well become Manie “Le Bok” in France.
Handré Pollard, who missed RWC selection, is an option the Boks appear happy to pursue deeper into the tournament, if injury opens that door. “Handré will probably be ready to go in the next couple of weeks; full on, like 80 minutes. We are in a fortunate position in terms of that,” said Nienaber.
It is outside the halfbacks, however, that the Boks are faced with tough choices.
André Esterhuizen again thundered in midfield and there is not much that separates him from regular starter Damian de Allende. “He’s really on form,” nodded the coach.
“He was very good. He was also good against Australia, away to Argentina. Damian’s performance last week was of as high a standard. They are pushing each other really hard.”
Moodie’s 20/20 vision
Canan Moodie continues to impress, if not astound. This time he did so at outside centre. He is a 20-year-old with 20/20 vision, irrespective of the position he occupies. “Given the quality he was up against he had a really solid performance,” said Nienaber.
“With Lukhanyo (Am) injured, we had the options of Jesse (Kriel) and maybe move Damian de Allende out to 13. So he was our third choice.”
Given his raging form, he will be difficult to leave out of the starting team in Marseille. If he is again deployed in midfield, it slightly eases the selectors’ job deciding on wings. The highly decorated Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi’s stock is still high but Kurt-Lee Arendse deals in the currency that matters most on the wing — tries. He now boasts 11 in 10 Tests.
Should Willie le Roux recover from his rib injury, he will start at fullback, but in Damian Willemse the Boks have a joker of trusted game-ending quality.
All this leaves Nienaber and Co in the pound seats as they leave for London. “Our big aim was to get as much squad depth as possible,” he said.
“We knew it would take a squad effort if we are going to defend the World Cup. Take a squad that is in form and have had good game minutes under the belt.”
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.