The Springbok Rugby World Cup Squad was announced on Friday 28 August, amid much speculation by fans and the media. Most popular pundits though have agreed that this is probably the strongest available selection that will have the skill set to carry out the game plan that is expected of the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks experimented with a more expansive game plan during the Rugby Championship, but that will be shelved for pattern of play that they believe will bring them success during the Rugby World Cup – very efficient tight phases, strong defence and kicking for field position.
There are as many as five areas of concern for me, being the centres, flyhalf, number 8, flanks and lock and I will expand on this in each position analysis.
We take a look at the options available in each position.
Fullbacks
Willie le Roux pretty much picks himself here as he has been the first choice for the last couple of seasons. Although not the most popular of choices, Zane Kirchner is his understudy. This is purely due to his experience of both the Springbok squad as well as the conditions the Rugby World Cup will be played under.
Wings
Bryan Habana will provide the experience and stability in the back three. JP Pietersen is selected as a centre or wing, but I see him starting on the right wing, with Lwazi Mvovo being the backup. Willie le Roux provides additional backup should there be an injury crisis on the wing.
Centres
Heyneke Meyer has selected three centres, with captain Jean de Villiers being backed up by the two new super stars of Springbok rugby, Damian de Allende and Jessie Kriel. The game plan during the Rugby World Cup will be a lot more conservative that what was on show during the Rugby Championship, so expect the starting centres to be De Villiers and De Allende, with Kriel providing the impact off the bench as well coverage at fullback. Here lies my first concern. All of these centres are exceptional inside centres, with only Kriel able to lay claim to being a true outside centre. Jean de Villiers will surely play inside centre, so I see Damian de Allende being shifted one channel wider.
Flyhalf
This is my second area of concern. It will be interesting to see who the starting flyhalf will be. Pollard has gone off the boil a bit and Lambie has not had a lot of game time recently. Waiting in the wings there is Morne Steyn, who was in fine form during the French Top 14 for Stade Francais, but was unused during the Rugby Championship. So who does Meyer gamble with? Pollard for his kicking game? Lambie provides additional cover at fullback if required.
Scrumhalf
Fourie du Preez is expected to be the playmaker for the Springboks at scrumhalf. Should the calculated risk Meyer has taken to nurse him along to a final Rugby World Cup not work out, the experienced Ruan Pienaar will provide more than adequate insurance. There has been plenty of response to the selection of the uncapped Rudi Paige ahead of Cobus Reinach. I do not see him getting any game time if both Du Preez and Pienaar remain uninjured and I see this selection as an investment in the future. Paige managed to shine in a struggling Bulls team in Super Rugby and has the kicking game that Meyer values.
Number 8
My third concern is that Duane Vermeulen is the only specialist number 8 chosen in the squad. He is an obvious selection and pivotal to the Sprinboks success and Meyer is banking on Vermeulen being available for all games, but rumours around the squad point at him only being ready from game three. Schalk Burger will be his back up and is likely to start in the early stages of the tournament. Burger is a phenomenal player, but as proved against Argentina his ball control at the base of the scrum is suspect, which is a risk if the scrum is under pressure.
Flanks
Willem Alberts returns to the squad and is expected to produce the go-forward in the midfield with his powerful ball carrying ability that has been sorely missing in 2015. With his experience playing in England, Francois Louw should start on the open side flank. Schalk Burger has the abilities to play in any of the loose forward positions and will provide cover off the bench in the later stages of the tournament. He is also the nominated leader should De Villiers and Victor Matfield not be available for selection. Siya Kolisi’s return to the squad is also seen as providing coverage on both flanks. There has been plenty of speculation regarding the lack of true openside flank cover in this squad and this is my fourth concern. If Louw is injured Burger will play there, players such as Marcel Coetzee and Heinrich Brussouw would have been invaluable replacements. The Springboks are fortunate though to have the likes of Bismark du Plessis and Duane Vermeulen who pilfer more than their fair share of ruck ball.
Props
Tendai Mtawarira should start on the loosehead, with Trevor Nyakane being his nominated understudy. Nyakane also provides second choice backup at tighthead prop. Jannie du Plessis has started to find some form on the tighthead and is sure to start, with Frans Malherbe providing cover off the bench. The selection of Coenie Oosthuizen as additional prop cover was an interesting one. He has experience on both sides of the scrum and Meyer also appreciates his ball carrying abilities. What should be noted though is his tendancy to hinge at scrum time, which is risky in terms of conceding kickable penalties.
Hookers
This was probably one of the easier selections Meyer had to make. The pecking order for the last number of years has been Bismark du Plessis starting with Andries Strauss playing the last twenty off the bench. Schalk Brits is the additional hooker in the squad and his selection is seen as insurance should there be an injury. He has played 8 Tests and is very experienced in English conditions. There was some support for Scarra Ntubeni to be selected, but his inexperience would have counted against him and his time will come next year.
Locks
The lock position presents me with concern number five. All selected players are top lock forwards. Although he has his detractors because of his age, Victor Matfield will ensure that lineout is one of the tight phases that will be firing on all cylinders. In line behind him are Lood de Jager and Pieter-Steph du Toit and the Springboks now have plenty of depth at five. Eben Etzebeth is the obvious choice at number four, but if he is injured during the Rugby World Cup there will be an issue. Du Toit would probably fill in for him, but he is more of a five than a four lock and he would be required to make a big step up in scrummaging and in the physical impact he would need to bring to the game.
In the final analysis, this Springbok side cannot be discounted at the Rugby World Cup. They will be physical, they will kick a lot and they will tackle hard. What will be of worry to all Springbok supporters though is the lack of depth and balance in this squad. Just one injury could upset the whole applecart.
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