After closely following the rugby show, The War Room, where they’ve been recently testing the depth of the Springbok squad by coming up with a hypothetical new 15 assuming that the starting 15, which started in the World Cup final was unavailable, it gave this writer another idea.
That is to give the Boks brain trust, led by Jacques Nienaber and World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus, a clearer idea of how the Boks should line up for the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions.
This peace arrives right on schedule with Lions coach Warren Gatland set to reveal his Lions touring group today (May 6).
That being said, let me take you through my picks for the opening Test.
Apart from a few changes from the Japan final, the world champion squad picks itself.
Full squad
15. Aphelele Fassie – A fantastic attacking player who’s always a threat on the counter. Still concerned about his defence when the Boks go back but the comfort of the Boks’ expectation to dictate things in the front from our powerful pack and thus using possession to defend would relieve Fassie from a lot of defensive duties.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – Simply put, he is currently the best backline player in the world.
13. Lukhanyo Am – Am has grown into the outside centre birth and has made it his own, there’s simply no better option for me at 13 right now.
12. Damian de Allende – Contrary to popular belief, the Boks do not boast great back-up at the centre and unless the unexpected happens – this jumper is for De Allende’s to lose.
11. This is one of the tougher positions to pick a starter. Incumbent starter Makazole Mapimpi has proven himself on the biggest stage. But one S’bu Nkosi from the Sharks, given less opportunity than Mapimpi, is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. For continuity sakes, Mapimpi starts – just!
10. Handré Pollard – Having shown his reliability off the boot in pressure moments in recent years, Pollard’s calmness and presence mean his selection is a no brainer.
9. Faf de Klerk – He is the leading scrumhalf in South Africa – no doubt.
8. Duane Vermeulen – It would be hard to defend myself of being biased when it comes to the Boks because I am South African and a big fan of the game – but this writer believes that not only do we boast the best backline player in the world in Cheslin Kolbe, but we also boast the best forward player in world rugby in the form of Duane ‘Thor’ Vermeulen.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – World Player of the Year, need I say more?
6. Siya Kolisi – Our skipper.
5. RG Snyman – With Lood de Jager an uncertainty due to injury, RG is the obvious replacement who’s as capable if not better.
4. Eben Etzebeth – If he recovers in time from his nasty finger injury, Eben is the first choice. But if he doesn’t, worry not, Franco Mostert is ready to slot in.
3. Frans Malherbe – Our pack is a well-oiled unit and although the tighthead position is one where we have multiple options, Frans is an integral part of the machine.
2. Bongi Mbonambi – You must be a special player if you are going to put Malcolm Marx on the bench.
1. Steven Kitshoff – Our scrum would be significantly weaker without him.
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