URC playoffs: Final chance for Springbok hopefuls to impress

Springbok players hopeful of earning a spot in the squad for the World Cup in France will get a final chance to impress the selectors in the United Rugby Championship (URC) quarterfinals being battled out this weekend.

With the Stormers and Bulls battling out a huge North/South derby quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3:30pm), a number of players will be looking to put in a massive shift with just one side able to progress to the semis.

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On the Stormers front eighthman Evan Roos and flyhalf Manie Libbok are the most obvious bolters hoping to force their way into the limited spots available for the showpiece event.

Both Roos and Libbok made their Bok debuts last year and got a shot to shine on the end of year tour, but with Roos being stunted by injury this year so far and Libbok having a cold boot over the past few games, they will need to step it up in the quarterfinal to get back on the radar.

For the Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen and hooker Johan Grobelaar are the likely challengers for a place on the plane to France.

With the Boks probably still keen on a backup for Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse, who will likely fit in wherever needed, Goosen is in with a shot although his injury problems and some average form won’t help his cause, so he will be eager to impress especially opposite Libbok.

Uncapped Grobelaar is an outside call, but with Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba still struggling with throwing issues, the Boks may still be keen on a different third choice, although they could also go with Deon Fourie in that position, as they did on the end of year tour.

Big performance

Other players looking to put in a big performance in the quarterfinals include scrumhalf Grant Williams, lock RG Snyman and eighthman Duane Vermeulen.

With the Sharks up against tournament favourites Leinster in their quarterfinal, this is likely the end of the road for them, so Williams will want to put in another sparkling showing to try and force his way into the reckoning.

Snyman has finally returned to full duty after a nightmare run of injuries and with time running out to prove he is back to his best he will be keen to put in a huge shift for Munster in their clash against Glasgow Warriors.

Vermeulen will also want to prove that he has got what it takes despite his advanced age in Ulster’s knockout clash against Connacht, while his leadership qualities will also be important if Bok captain Siya Kolisi is unable to recover in time for the World Cup.