The Springbok coaches have the next week to compose the side they think will be strong enough to triumph over New Zealand in the first of two Rugby Championship Tests next weekend at Ellis Park.
After a stellar display in Australia, where they won back-to-back Tests in Brisbane and Perth, the South Africans will enjoy a bit of a break before linking up in Johannesburg to start preparations for the All Blacks.
It was a good day in Perth 👊#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/WDuljWj8u1
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 17, 2024
Rassie Erasmus, Springbok coach, will have some selection headaches before the squad is announced for the New Zealand matches, especially in key positions in the backline.
Arguably the most important spot will be that of flyhalf, and who gets the nod between Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for the big games.
The question is has Feinberg-Mngomezulu done enough to lift both Libbok and Pollard out of the cushions? And will Erasmus bank on the rookie against their arch-rivals?
Probably not, and Pollard or Libbok will likely step in for this important clash.
Pollard is the obvious choice because his kicking boot will be vital, but seeing how the Boks’ game plan has evolved and is still evolving, Libbok or Feinberg-Mngomezulu could be the answer.
Libbok hasn’t really had the opportunity to show what he can do with the attack under new assistant coach Tony Brown, and Springbok supporters are eager to see him operating behind a dominant pack of forwards.
Scrumhalf Grant Williams has surely also done enough to warrant a start and it will be interesting to see how the Boks rotate him and Cobus Reinach in the absence of Faf de Klerk.
Williams injected a fresh breath of pace on Saturday against the Wallabies and his speedy service just puts the Boks’ forwards and backline on another level on the attack.
Reinach’s calmness behind the ball and his experience will be crucial, too, as South Africa goes in search of two wins on home soil that could bring a first Rugby Championship title since 2019 and a first extended competition win since 2009.
Fullback is the other position South Africans are probably divided on after the performances of Aphelele Fassi and Feinberg-Mngomezulu in those positions. They are both challenging incumbent Willie le Roux for the No 15 jersey and Fassi’s recent performance against the Wallabies has shown his growth in that position.
He’s secure under the high ball, links with his wingers excellently, and doesn’t shy away from sticking his head into rucks and making the big tackles, which are all vital against a powerhouse like New Zealand.
Le Roux is standing on 96 Test caps and that wealth of experience, especially on the highveld, will be important. While he is reaching his late thirties, the veteran has shown enough this year to suggest that he still has a lot to add to the Springbok set-up.
In the other four positions in the backline, some clear standout players are currently thriving as the first-choice wing and centre combinations although there is stiff competition for them, too.
The amount of depth in the backs means Erasmus and his assistant coaches won’t have any sleepless nights ahead of the All Blacks’ arrival.