Five players looking to impress Bok bosses in 2022

A number of players found themselves unlucky to either not represent the Springboks or even get picked for the squad for the end-of-year tour to the UK in November.

With the national side not linking up for the next seven months, these players will have the perfect opportunity to prove their worth against international opposition in the United Rugby Championship, which is set to get underway again in the new year.

Here we take a look at five players who’ll be out to impress.

Aphelele Fassi

Aphelele Fassi was desperately unlucky not to get any game time on the tour to the UK, having made his Bok debut earlier in the year against Georgia, while featuring against Argentina as well.

With the Bok management keen to Test their depth at fullback Damian Willemse was set to get an extended run at the back, but picked up a concussion just 15 minutes into the first match on tour in November which put him out of the rest of the tour. This was then the ideal opportunity for Fassi to step in, only for Willie le Roux to come back in and produce a few underwhelming performances.

Fassi will now be eager to remind the Boks of his massive X-factor during the Sharks’ URC campaign and he will aim to impress against some top international players in the tournament.

Evan Roos

Stormers eighthman Evan Roos has enjoyed a barnstorming start to his career and was perhaps a tad unlucky not to receive a Bok call-up for the end of year tour. He wouldn’t have been in line to play if he had been picked, but like his captain Salmaan Moerat, it was expected that he might be selected to get some experience in the set-up.

However, at 21-years-old Roos still has plenty of time to force himself into the minds of the selectors and he has the perfect chance to do that during the rest of the Stormers’ URC campaign.

He has already shown impressive form on their opening four match away tour and he will be keen to continue that good form. With the Boks in the process of looking for a long term replacement for the ageing Duane Vermeulen, Roos could end up fitting that mould perfectly.

Wandisile Simelane

Lions centre Wandisile Simelane received his maiden Springbok call-up to the extended 46-man squad for the British and Irish Lions series in July and then featured in the SA A v Bulls match, but was then released from the trimmed down squad that competed in the three match series.

He was then not in the mix for the end of year tour and he will be keen to get himself back into the set-up sooner rather than later.

Simelane plays in a pretty solidified position, with Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am one of the world’s best midfield duos, however his versatility could be what gets him the nod in the future. The Bok management is big on versatile players and with Simelane featuring at fullback and centre for the Lions, while he also put in some electrifying performances on the wing during his Baby Bok career, he would be a perfect option to cover a number of positions in the backline.

With an impressive showing against the Stormers in the Lions last URC game, Simelane will now look to build on that over the rest of the campaign and remind the Bok selectors what made them pick him in the first place.

Marcell Coetzee

It was a surprise when Marcell Coetzee wasn’t selected in the extended Springbok squad for the British and Irish Lions series, especially with Duane Vermeulen’s participation in doubt due to an injury. It was the perfect opportunity for the Bok management to bring the experienced 30-cap Springbok loosie back into the mix, however the coaches went with the untested Jasper Wiese instead.

Coetzee was again not in the frame for the end of year tour and with the 2023 World Cup just around the corner, time is running short for him to get back into the national set-up. Coetzee has put in a number of top performances for the Bulls since returning from Ulster, and has led the team well.

He now has the perfect opportunity to show what he is made of with the Bulls struggling in the URC so far and if he can inspire them to an improved showing in the New Year and help them fight back up the log, it will go a long way towards his Springbok aspirations.

Warrick Gelant

A lot has been said about the successor to Springbok fullback incumbent Willie le Roux, who has struggled for form this year, and Warrick Gelant is almost a like for like replacement in the way he plays.

Having made his Bok debut in 2017, he has only managed to feature for them nine times, with a number of injuries curtailing his progress. Gelant enjoyed a stunning return from his most recent injury with some brilliant performances for the Stormers in their maiden UK and EU tour in the URC and had put himself firmly back in the Bok frame.

However he was then not selected for their end of year tour. Gelant will be keen to force himself back into the picture with the competition for the fullback position set to heat up with the 2023 World Cup just around the corner and some eye-catching performances in the rest of the URC will help him continue to remind the selectors of his worth to the national team.