Rassie Erasmus’ first Springbok team of the Nations Championship may appear predictable, but history suggests another surprise could be coming, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says the Test at Ellis Park is about more than one result, with Erasmus balancing the need to beat England against preparing the Springboks for the four-Test series against the All Blacks.
“If next Saturday was the final of the Nations Championship, I’d expect the match 23 to look something like this: Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Edwill van der Merwe, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortjé, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar and Ox Nché. Substitutes: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Wilco Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Wiese, Paul de Villiers, Embrose Papier and André Esterhuizen.”
Keohane expects Erasmus to lean on the combinations and depth built since 2018, particularly in the front row and loose trio, while integrating Bulls players who joined the squad late after the Vodacom URC final.
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The biggest intrigue lies in selection philosophy rather than personnel. Will Erasmus reward those who impressed in the Barbarians victory, or rely on proven Test combinations for England before broadening his squad across the remaining July fixtures against Scotland and Wales?
“What makes the England match 23 selection interesting is whether Erasmus’ approach is to pick on historical form to get the one-off win or to treat the match as part of a bigger plan leading up to the All Blacks series,” Keohane writes.
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He also points to the inclusion of Junior Springbok stars Riley Norton and Vusi Moyo as evidence that Erasmus is already looking ahead. Neither is expected to face England, but with the Bok coach, he warns, “expect the unexpected.”
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The post Expect the unexpected from Rassie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus’ first Springbok team of the Nations Championship may appear predictable, but history suggests another surprise could be coming, writes MARK KEOHANE.
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