31 July 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

SPRINGBOK SELECTION TALKING POINTS FOR PUMAS CLASH

Rassie Erasmus should press pause on his varying World Cup selection strategy and opt for continuity for the all-important clash against Argentina in Salta next Saturday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

After the dramatic 16-all draw with the All Blacks in Wellington at the weekend, the Springboks have their noses in front in the sprint for Rugby Championship glory.

The scintillating stalemate, following the 35-17 bonus-point win over the Wallabies in Johannesburg in the opening round, has earned South Africa a one-point advantage over New Zealand at the top of the table heading into the third and final round of this year’s truncated tournament.

Through their spirited endeavour, the Boks’ destiny is in their own hands. A bonus-point triumph over Los Pumas will see the Boks bag their first Rugby Championship crown. Victory alone could be enough, provided Australia – at the very least – restrict the All Blacks to a narrow win in Perth, however, Erasmus and his charges will look to take the clear-cut route to the throne.

The Bok mentor’s two-team policy has proved to be a masterstroke. The players, for the most part, have repaid the faith shown in them and as a result, the squad is at its strongest and closest and a champion spirit exists within the camp. Having put themselves in a position of power, they’ll want to finish phase one of their World Cup master plan by securing silverware in Salta.

Yes, no team has managed to win the Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship and World Cup in the same year, but that ‘curse’ surely won’t weigh on the Boks’ minds too much. Ground-breaking glory, on the other hand, would do wonders. Erasmus has proven himself to be a master strategist, so I’d be shocked if he doesn’t select his strongest possible side for the Argentinian job.

After all, there’s room for further experimentation in the second Test against Los Pumas in Pretoria the following week, which doesn’t form part of the southern hemisphere showpiece, and Erasmus will get one last opportunity to finalise the composition of his first-choice match 23 in the World Cup warm-up match against Japan in Saitama on September 6.

That said, there are a couple of changes Erasmus should consider for the Salta showdown. Primarily, promoting Frans Steyn to the starting line-up. The multi-skilled stalwart made a big impact off the bench against both Australia and New Zealand, and the crunch clash against Argentina is the perfect opportunity to see what he brings to the team in the No.12 jersey.

The potential upside to having Steyn on Handré Pollard’s outside and Lukhanyo Am’s inside, in addition to him serving as another proven tactical and goal-kicking option is too great not to explore, especially against a full-strength Los Pumas outfit, and if he produces the type of world-class performance I expect he will, he may well usurp Damian de Allende as the inside centre of choice for the World Cup campaign.

Staying in the backline, red-hot rookie Herschel Jantjies, on a remarkable roll after his dream debut at Ellis Park and sensational match-saving try at the Cake Tin, ought to start at No.9. Faf de Klerk was his classy self before suffering a head knock in the battle against the All Blacks and failing the HIA, and there’s no need for Rassie to risk his first-choice scrumhalf. Having him sit out will also afford Cobus Reinach more game time off the bench after the Saints star showed his ‘super-sub’ potential with his try-scoring cameo against Australia.

Makazole Mapimpi wasn’t the danger man in Bok green and gold that he was in Shark black and white in the first two Tests, and it was his defensive error that allowed the All Blacks to score their momentum-shifting seven-pointer just before the half-time break. Sbu Nkosi at No.14 would be a sound selection, with giant-slaying Cheslin Kolbe – the star of the Wellington thriller – moving from right to left-wing.

Upfront, Trevor Nyakane more than earned a starting berth after decimating the All Blacks scrum and getting through a ton of work after coming on for Frans Malherbe. The Stormers tighthead was solid at scrum time but lazy in open play, carrying just twice (and failing to register on SANZAAR’s metres made radar) and making three tackles while slipping a fourth. Nyakane, in comparison, made four carries and six tackles in as good of a prop cameo as a coach could ask for. A demotion, one suspects, would also serve as added motivation for Malherbe to lift his game to its usual high standard.

The rest of the pack could remain unchanged. Kwagga Smith, in particular, would stand to benefit from such continuity. After proving himself capable of punching above his weight in just his second Test last weekend, which came after an injury-enforced spell on the sidelines, more game time is just what the Lion’s livewire needs. To that end, well-rounded marauder Marcell Coetzee would make the ideal back-up back-rower.

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Jesse Kriel.

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