It is a fine balance in getting a Springbok team selection right.
Most coaches will tell you that you can’t please everybody, and that would be the case with Rassie Erasmus after naming his team yesterday for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Santiago del Estero (11pm start, SA time).
Erasmus once again made some pleasing, bold moves as he continues his policy of developing squad depth ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
But there were also some missed opportunities in some positions, where experience was preferred over youthful exuberance.
That was understandable in some respects, as the Boks are hoping to clinch the title and extend their winning streak to a record six – beating the five achieved in 2009.
But aren’t such goals secondary to seeing whether certain players can handle the hostile cauldron of Test rugby in Argentina?
First, the good news. Aphelele Fassi should not have missed the Cape Town victory over the All Blacks after his cool display at Ellis Park a week earlier, so he has been rightfully restored to the No 15 jersey.
Lukhanyo Am’s selection at inside centre is one I have long been calling for – even with Damian de Allende in the form of his life at the moment – as it just offers the Boks something different on attack.
Am’s soft touches could complement a hard-running No 13 in Jesse Kriel, who has the pace and footwork to cut defences to shreds.
It is also wonderful to see Thomas du Toit start at tighthead prop, as he has not had enough game time over the past few years despite excelling for Bath and before that, the Sharks.
Salmaan Moerat will want to build on his previous outings at No 4 and as a captain, and Eben Etzebeth’s inclusion on the bench makes sense as he will equal Victor Matfield’s Bok Test record of 127 caps, with a view to passing that mark in Mbombela next weekend.
Du Toit’s mobility for such a big man could prove to be a destructive addition to the Bok pack at close quarters, and he is a strong scrummager too.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels is in the same mould as Du Toit, but now is his big break to operate at hooker off the bench, where his line-out throwing will be put to the ultimate test on Saturday.
But while Makazole Mapimpi makes a welcome return at left wing – following the birth of his child – is there much wisdom in rushing Kurt-Lee Arendse back?
He has been arguably the best Bok back this year, and having missed the Cape Town Test with concussion, it may have been more worthwhile to give Canan Moodie another go in the No 14 jersey and save Arendse for the Mbombela game next weekend.
Manie Libbok also needs more game time, and he would have benefited significantly from starting at flyhalf instead of stalwart Handré Pollard.
There is no doubt that Libbok is a superb playmaker, but he needs to restore his goal-kicking confidence at the highest level to complement his attacking repertoire.
Ben-Jason Dixon will be delighted that he will get a chance to make up for a below-par display against the All Blacks in Johannesburg, and Marco van Staden will be keen to put in a big performance in a rare start at No 6, with captain Siya Kolisi rested.
Remember when @EbenEtzebeth started and finished this stunner last year against Argentina 🤩💥#Springboks#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/DHJVhfwMsR
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 16, 2024
But what about Kwagga Smith? Will he now forever be an impact player off the bench? He can be so much more to the world champions as an openside flank option, and he will wonder if he will ever get a start again.
“Many of these combinations have played together this season, and they all know how tough Argentina can make things for you on the day if you do not pitch up sharp and battle-ready,” Erasmus said yesterday.
“It would be amazing to wrap up the Rugby Championship title this weekend, but it won’t be easy, and we have a bigger picture in mind as well, which is to build squad depth with an eye on the 2027 World Cup.
“The only way we can do that is to expose the younger players to tough opposition under difficult circumstances, and so far all of them have risen to that challenge.
“We’re excited about this squad and to see what the younger players can do in pretty tough playing conditions with such a passionate support base in Argentina, and also at a new stadium.
“The fact that Los Pumas are still in the running for the title for the first time ever will drive their team and supporters even more.”
Springbok Team
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendsei, 13 Jesse Krieli, 12 Lukhanyo Ami, 11 Makazole Mapimpii, 10 Handré Pollardi, 9 Cobus Reinachi, 8 Jasper Wiesei, 7 Ben-Jason Dixoni, 6 Marco van Stadeni, 5 Ruan Nortjéi, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain)i, 3 Thomas du Toiti, 2 Malcolm Marxi, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wesselsi, 17 Gerhard Steenekampi, 18 Vincent Kochi, 19 Eben Etzebethi, 20 Elrigh Louwi, 21 Kwagga Smithi, 22 Jaden Hendriksei, 23 Manie Libbok.