The national selectors of the Springboks recently announced their two squads of 44 players each who will take part in the first two training camps of the season, which will be held in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively.
Included in the two squads are 19 uncapped players, 16 of which have previously featured in the Springboks in some capacity since 2012. The 3 new faces joining the squad this time around are Vincent Koch, Faf de Klerk and “pocket rocket” Cheslin Kolbe while the returning faces invited to one or both of the camps are Ruan Botha, Robbie Coetzee, Jacques du Plessis, Steven Kitshoff, Lappies Labuschagne, Scarra Ntubeni, Lizo Gqoboka, Bongi Mbonambi, Michael Rhodes, Demetri Catrakilis, Jesse Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Rudy Paige, Kobus van Wyk, Francois Venter and Nic Groom.
Before anyone gets excited about the new faces joining the squad as well as former players returning to the training camps thank to exceptional Super Rugby performance, it is important to remember that Heyneke Meyer is a man who sticks with what he believes is best. The fact Pierre Spies has not only made his way back into the Bulls squad, but is now captaining his Super Rugby team proves the national coach definitely still plays favourites with his former team.
Meyer has had time to groom the squad he believes will be good enough to take the title come the World Cup and it would be ludicrous to believe he is going to be changing his thinking at such a late stage, despite many of the fringe players playing better rugby than some of the players we would consider to be “certainties”. Quite simply, if you have not found your place in the squad between the last World Cup and now, it will be a tough ask to make it a reality now.
With that in mind, there are a handful of positions that are up for grabs in and amongst the newbies, meaning not all hope is lost for those who have yet to wear the green and gold.
Meyer needs to find a second fullback and Bulls fullback, Jesse Kriel, is making an extremely good case for himself is his current form is anything to go by while utility back Lionel Mapoe from the Lions is showing just how valuable his versatility can be in midfield or along the wing.
Cheslin Kolbe has shown time and time again his immense pace, dangerous boot and unbelievable ball skills put him above the rest, his size will naturally count against him and it is unlikely Meyer will hand him the chance.
Scrumhalf continues to be a hassle for selectors and relying solely on veteran Fourie du Preez to not only be fit but also back to the form that made him so good a couple of years ago is risky. However, who will step up to provide support for him? Surely Ruan Pienaar isn’t the logical choice anymore. If that is the case, will the uncapped Rudy Paige or Faf de Klerk get the opportunity to shine?
It should be a no brainer for Duane Vermeulen to snatch the No8 jersey but will Spies or Warren Whiteley receive the second fiddle nod?
Training camp one will be held from May 3 to 6 in Johannesburg (Sharks players will be on tour) while the Cape Town camp will run from May 31 to June 3 (Bulls players will be on tour). The Springboks as an international unit will play their first game of the season against the World XV on July 11th in Cape Town.
While it may seem that nothing can be definite yet, the questions still left to be answered are fairly limited. However, it may just play out to be one of the biggest team selections Meyer will need to make in his career and with so many players stepping forward; he will need the data to justify each and every one.
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