Lukhanyo Am. Photo: Gallo Images.
With less than a month left before Rassie Erasmus’ first match as Springbok coach, transformation remains one of the biggest talking points in the build-up.
The South African Rugby Union’s strategic transformation plan dictates that the national side needs to have 50% representation by next year’s World Cup in Japan.
While men like Beast Mtawarira, Siya Kolisi and Oupa Mohoje can be expected to be shoo-ins for the Green-and-Gold in 2018, there are various other black “diamonds” Erasmus should be looking at.
Here are five of them.
LUKHANYO AM (Centre, Sharks)
The Sharks midfielder has taken his game to a new level this season.
He really does possess all the skills required for a fruitful career in international rugby.
Am continues to be a pesky presence at the breakdown – something former Bok coach Allister Coetzee loved about him – but his defence in general has been outstanding.
He’s made 13 dominant tackles, of which five have led to turnovers.
Pleasingly, Am has also shown a nose for the tryline and has dotted down five times to date.
He surely can’t be overlooked for the English series.
TREVOR NYAKANE (Prop, Bulls)
Trevor Nyakane. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)
The fact that he’s now the first choice tighthead under John Mitchell at the Bulls says a lot.
Mitchell’s new data-based system means a player can’t hide behind mediocre performances anymore as the former All Blacks mentor uses those numbers in his selection decisions.
Nyakane took almost four weeks at the start of this campaign to get into the side but once he got there, he stayed.
The 29-year-old has been in fine form, not only scrumming well but pulling his weight on defence to the tune of 56 tackles, of which five have led to turnovers.
He’s carried the ball enthusiastically and shown some superb finer skills.
In fact, Nyakane has only made one handling error from 23 carries.
SBU NKOSI (Wing, Sharks)
Sbu Nkosi. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
The talented 22-year-old flyer has been criticised this season for some lukewarm showings.
However, it’s also been a case of Nkosi being watched more carefully after an excellent debut campaign in 2017.
He hasn’t showed a lot of his powers on attack but, importantly, he continues to show a high work rate.
Nkosi has still completed 53 tackles, five of them dominant and hasn’t shied away from taking a hit to created space for others.
That’s why he’s a good fit for the Boks – Test rugby is about staying in the game when the going is tough.
THEMBELANI BHOLI (Flank, Bulls)
Thembelani Bholi. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
This lanky bruiser wasn’t even in the original Bulls Super Rugby squad.
But Bholi’s fine showings in the pre-season made it extremely difficult for coach John Mitchell to ignore him.
The former Kings star isn’t a flashy player, a fact Mitchell emphasises, yet his fundamentals are good.
He’s broken three tackles on the attack, thumped 11 opponents in a tackle situation and still carried the ball 49 times.
Bholi’s 13 lineout wins also show how important he is to the Bulls’ set-piece.
If ever the Boks needed an astute, reliable backup, he’s the man.
MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI (Wing, Sharks)
Makazole Mapimpi. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Wherever this man goes, he thrills.
Mapimpi was a standout for the Kings in last year’s campaign, promptly took Europe by storm with 10 tries for the Cheetahs in the Pro14 and now has scored four already for the Durbanites.
The 27-year-old simply creates magic.
He’s made an incredible 11 linebreaks in Super Rugby to date, shown physicality in breaking two tackles and still completed 26 tackles.
And don’t think for a moment the tackling is inconsistent – he’s only missed six.
Mapimpi is a game-breaker, finish and klaar.
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