It looks like Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus already has his plans in place for next year’s World Cup in Japan.
As much was evident when he named the same starting XV for the first time in 2018 in Saturday match against Wales.
If Erasmus had to name his 31 players today, I think it’s clear who it will be.
So with nine months to go, let’s see who the coach can possibly pick and why he would pick certain players.
Hookers (3)
Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Schalk Brits.
Brits are the interesting choice here and I believe there is still an outside chance of Chiliboy Ralepelle possibly cracking the nod ahead of him.
HOOK OR CROOK: Chiliboy Rallepele. Photo: FRIKKIE KAPP/BACKPAGEPIX
The third hooker in the squad is important.
Imagine a scenario where Marx gets injured before the possible final and his replacement, Mbonambi, also goes down with only 20 or so minutes left to play. You then have to close the game out and can’t have an inexperienced hooker to win an important lineout that could see the team lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.
For that reason, it makes sense to select an experienced player. And with a trimmed down Rugby Championship before the start of the tournament, there is no time left to build experience.
Props (5)
Steven Kitshoff, Beast Mtawarira, Frans Malherbe, Wilco Louw (or Vincent Koch)and Thomas du Toit, Trevor Nyakane or Coenie Oosthuizen.
STALWART PROP: Beast Mtawarira. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
With two looseheads and two tightheads already having cemented their places in the squad, the fifth spot will have to go to a prop that can pack down on either side of the scrum.
And here Du Toit, Nyakane and Oosthuizen will all come into the equation. Erasmus might even opt to go for two of them and leave out the extra tighthead prop - Louw or Koch.
Locks (4)
Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager.
Blessed with locks, the Bok coach will in all likelihood look at Pieter-Steph du Toit as a utility forward, being able to play at lock and flank.
Only through injuries will Erasmus look at standby players such as JD Schickerling, who was on tour with the Boks and will know what is needed from the team’s coaches.
Loose forwards (5)
Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley, Francois Louw.
Experience is a big thing here. It’s a pity that none of the Du Preez brothers, Dan and Jean-Luc, got a look-in. Erasmus, though, might cut down on the amount of players in his midfield to open up another spot in this department for the versatile Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Scrumhalves (3)
Faf de Klerk, Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl.
It wasn’t wise of Erasmus to leave Papier’s run-on debut for the second-last match of the year. Unless he had plans to bring in a more experienced Bok such as Cobus Reinach, he left it a bit late. But both Papier and Van Zyl have had some experience and this will serve the Boks well. World Cup-ready? Not too sure about that. The best thing SA Rugby can do next year is to ask the Bulls to loan out Papier to the Stormers for some regular starting time.
Flyhalves (3)
Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies, Damian Willemse.
Pollard’s performance against Scotland two weeks ago confirmed his arrival to the big time. In Jantjies, the Boks have an experienced benchwarmer who can start a Test if needed. In Willemse, they have arguably the most exciting playmaker in world rugby.
Centres (4)
Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, (Ruhan Nel?).
Still lacking some punch in this department, it will be interesting to see if Erasmus calls up a fourth midfielder.
DILEMMAS: Coach Rassie Eramus. Photo: Phando Jikelo.African News Agency/ANA
I get the feeling that he might limit his midfielders to only three because both Willemse and Pollard can cover in this position. This will open up the possibility of adding more depth to other problem areas or to select players he feels are REALLY unlucky not to make the squad.
Back three (5)
Willie le Roux, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sbu Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant.
What Erasmus has done this year is creating experience in positions where the Boks needed it.
Having made their bows in international not too long ago, wings Nkosi and Dyantyi are now feared on attack and known international players.
BUITEPERD: No.15 Warrick Gelant. Photo: SYDNEY MAHLANGU/BACKPAGEPIX
Cheslin Kolbe is experienced enough, despite not having a lot of starts, to make a positive difference in a big game if it is needed.
Having looked at the coach’s options, I am sure there will be a big standby list. And who knows there might be one or two other guys forcing their way into the team during Super Rugby.
As for the strength of this Bok squad after their defeat to Wales on Saturday, I have very little hope that the William Webb Ellis trophy will come to South Africa next year.