Injuries to the likes of André Esterhuizen and Cheslin Kolbe give Rassie Erasmus the ideal opportunity to experiment with new Springbok combinations and fresh faces, writes DEVIN HERMANUS.
Walking around Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon with Keo & Zels’ Zelím Nel – shout-out to Ruhan Nel for his coffee spot recommendation – we discussed Rassie needing to use the Tests in front of him to experiment and gauge who else is out there.
On Friday night in Cardiff, Esterhuizen limped off after barely a minute. Then, over Saturday’s round of URC action, Handré Pollard came a cropper in Pretoria, while André-Hugo Venter and Deon Fourie were forced off during the Stormers’ win.
Kolbe is set to miss the rest of the Nations Championship due to a broken jaw, while concerns remain over Eben Etzebeth (leg), Ben-Jason Dixon (concussion symptoms) and Vusi Moyo (shoulder).
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The world champions resume their campaign unbeaten, with matches against Italy, Ireland and France before the finals weekend at the end of November.
There will always be reservations about an unknown selection or pairing, but Rassie must forget the knee-jerk reaction to the Boks’ defeat by the Wallabies in Perth and not fear making wholesale changes again.
Champing at the bit behind Kolbe is Edwill van der Merwe, whose aerial threat is completely underrated, not to mention his speed and ability to finish tries.
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok can offset Pollard’s absence, but what was the point of giving Yaqeen Ahmed a run at 10 for the SA A team against Zimbabwe earlier this year if he isn’t given a chance at Test level as soon as possible? The 20-year-old starred with a match-winning brace against the Scarlets.
Junior Springboks and Stormers teammate Markus Muller is only 19 but is tipped to become one of South Africa’s next superstars. If not now, when?
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Take a punt on Sharks prodigy Zekhethelo Siyaya, whose skill, strength and elusiveness makes him a viable option across the back three and at flyhalf. So, too, Bulls newcomer Luan Giliomee.
There has been talk of inside centre Jonathan Roche, on form in the URC and the Investec Champions Cup, moving to Ireland. The 23-year-old could also wear the green and gold this year.
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Who is next in line at No 13 behind Jesse Kriel? Is it Canan Moodie? Is it Ethan Hooker? The Sharks’ Jurenzo Julius will be ruing his untimely hamstring injury.
At lock, Ruben van Heerden debuted against Wales in July, while the versatile Cobus Wiese has come into his own. Riley Norton has shot the lights out for the Stormers since his breakout in the Boks-Barbarians clash. Adré Smith also got exposure with SA A.
It is round five of the URC this weekend, and Erasmus is expected to name his squad this week, once he has received the injury reports from the four South African clubs.
Instead of asking Stormers boss John Dobson to wrap Damian Willemse in cotton wool, Rassie should play the hand he’s dealt and see the blessing in disguise.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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Injuries to the likes of André Esterhuizen and Cheslin Kolbe give Rassie Erasmus the ideal opportunity to experiment with new Springbok combinations and fresh faces.
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