Victor Matfield believes the youngsters in the Springbok squad can play themselves into World Cup contention during November’s Nations Championship campaign.
The former Bok lock was discussing Rassie Erasmus’ squad selection on the Rugby Rivals podcast.
Erasmus has included six uncapped players in his 37-man squad for the Tests against Italy, France and Ireland – lock Riley Norton, loose forward Emmanuel Tshituka, flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, centre Markus Muller, winger Sebastian de Klerk and utility back Luan Giliomee.
Muller could become the youngest Springbok debutant of the professional era, at 19 years and 118 days old, if selected for the opening Test against Italy on 7 November. Fellow 19-year-old Giliomee could go second on the list if he also features in Turin.
MORE: Muller set to break Steyn’s Bok record
Matfield believes the selections show that Erasmus has one eye on next year’s global showpiece.
“Rassie always wants to win, but I think the focus is definitely now on the World Cup coming up,” he said.
“Almost in every position. If you look at the props, there’s Zachary Porthen and [Ntuthuko] Mchunu. That’s two youngsters.
“Then Jan-Hendrik Wessels, the only backup hooker for Malcolm Marx. In the locks, he went for Riley Norton, who’s only 20.
“A guy in the centres like Markus Muller, who’s only played two URC games so far. He was a superstar at school level. He gets an opportunity.
“And then Sebastian de Klerk, who did really well for the Bulls, getting an opportunity.”
MATFIELD: He’s going to have such a big impact
Matfield expects Erasmus to blood some of the youngsters against Italy.
“And then they’ll probably go, ‘OK, here are two tough games in a row [against France and Ireland]. We need to go out there and win two in a row.’
“And while he’s doing it, he might even throw one or two of those youngsters in with some of the senior guys to see if they can perform at that level.
“Because at this stage, a lot of these youngsters, if I think about a World Cup squad, I don’t think they’ll actually be there.
“But let’s say they stand up against France or Ireland and play a fantastic game, then they might just play themselves into that World Cup squad.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Big Vic: Opportunity calls for Bok kids appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The youngsters in the Springbok squad can play themselves into World Cup contention during November’s Nations Championship campaign.
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