SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee announced a balanced squad, mixing youthful and experienced players who are currently peaking in their career, to do duty for the end-year tour to Europe.
A few surprises came when newcomers Lukhanyo Am, Warrick Gelant, Louis Schreuder, Francois Venter and Ruan Botha were announced in the squad, which stayed relatively the same from the Rugby Championships played earlier this season.
But great news for Bok fans is that the side has made hectic leaps in a positive direction, after a dismal 2016 season.
The team beat France in a series whitewash at home, beat Argentina twice, drew with Australia twice and lost to the All Blacks twice – once by a single point – which is an impressive performance.
The team are expected to go unbeaten in Europe with the players named on paper.
But Coetzee has a minor problem on his hands, which is who will fill the inside centre role after Jan Serfontein became unavailable?
One thing that we definitely know is that Handré Pollard will only play at ten and get more game time overseas, playing a vital role in the side.
But Coetzee remains positive and has selected Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Francois Venter as centres.
So one will just have to sit back and wait to see what the Bok boss decides.
He has selected a talented squad that provides him with various options in the back and up front.
A slight raise of concern for me is that the backline does not look promising at all, with too much inexperience and youth in the mix.
To make matters worse, the opening game is against Ireland in Dublin, the team that ended the All Blacks’ record unbeaten run.
Springbok End Year Tour Fixtures
Saturday 11 November – Ireland in Dublin at 7.30pm
Saturday 18 November – France in Paris at 9.45pm.
Saturday 25 November – Italy in Padova at 3pm.
Saturday 2 December – Wales in Cardiff at 4.30pm.
Springbok squad
Forwards – Uzair Cassiem, Lood de Jager, Ruan Dreyer, Dan du Preez, Ruan Botha, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohojé, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen and Chiliboy Ralepelle.
Backs – Lukhanyo Am, Curwin Bosch, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronjé, Damian de Allende, Warrick Gelant, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Rudy Paige, Handré Pollard, Raymond Rhule, Louis Schreuder, Courtnall Skosan and Francois Venter.
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