Springboks Selection Barometer Part 2 – The Second Row

With a break in the action and top stars at a national alignment camp this week, we look at the depth at the Springboks’ disposal and the form of the leading local and foreign-based players in the hunt to front the British & Irish Lions.

In the second installment of a six-part series, Quintin van Jaarsveld focuses on the second-row ranks.

The “Fantastic Four” – Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and RG Snyman – were untouchable in Japan, where the Springboks were last in action when they soared to a third World Cup title two years ago. Soared being the operative word. 

Springboks Selection Barometer Part 1 – The Front Row

With the superhuman synergy and supreme athleticism of the quartet and laser accuracy of hookers Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx and Schalk Brits, the men in Green and Gold were as close to perfect as a team is ever going to get, winning all but a single one of their 69 lineouts on their ascend to the throne. 

With two of those rulers of the sky in serious doubt for the British & Irish Lions series due to injury, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and coach Jacques Nienaber have plenty to ponder. Fortunately for them, South Africa have a surplus of world-class second-rowers and several utility forwards to call on if needed.

Let’s take a closer look at the lock stocks:

Rainbow Cup SA Team of the Week – Round 4

Eben Etzebeth (Toulon)

With unrivalled physicality and seniority (85 Tests), Etzebeth is the central figure around which the engine room will be built, especially considering the lingering doubts over De Jager and Snyman. Breaking his finger in early April allowed the imposing giant to rest the body for a few weeks and he’s roared back for Toulon. One of the most feared enforcers in the game, Etzebeth was born and bred for the opportunity to lead the physical charge against the Lions.

Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks

The man who started the World Cup final alongside Etzebeth and was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first half remains the Springboks’ biggest injury concern. Having suffered another shoulder issue soon after arriving at Sale last September, De Jager returned with a bang only to suffer a freak leg fracture in training in April. He’s bound to be rusty IF he’s ready in time, but as the lineout kingpin, his presence would be massive for the series hosts.

RG Snyman (Munster)

The Springboks’ dual-threat, equally adept in both locking positions, is also in a race against time to be fit for the series. The towering workhorse tore his ACL in his Munster debut last August and ran into further complications in his rehabilitation this month, which required additional albeit minor surgery. Given his versatility and Harlem Globetrotter-like offloading skills, the Springbok coaches remain hopeful that Snyman will be able to resume his vital role in the matchday 23.

Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Mostert is primed and ready to go having completed his duties in Japan. The tireless titan was a shining light for the struggling Honda Heat, who won just one of their conference clashes. With ample experience (39 Tests) and loose forward-like output, “Sous” as he’s affectionately known, will play a significant role, whether it’s off the bench like in the World Cup or as a starter, where he starred in the triumphant Rugby Championship campaign that preceded the showpiece in Japan.

Jason Jenkins (Munster)

Jenkins is a giant among giants at 2.01m and 122kg and a sleeping one at that in terms of Test rugby, with his one and only Springboks appearance dating back to 2018. He was a pillar of strength for Toyota Verblitz this season and helped power them to the Top League semi-finals. At 25, his best is yet to come and his obvious upside saw Munster win a bidding war for his services in March.

Marvin Orie (Stormers)

What Orie lacks in physicality, which has limited his Test career to three appearances, he makes up for in specialist set-piece prowess. The long-time lineout general of the Lions is fresh off his best performance yet for the Stormers, who he joined in a surprising move at the start of the year. The experienced code-cracker shut down the Sharks in the lineouts and showcased his renowned work rate as well in last Saturday’s Rainbow Cup SA clash.

Salmaan Moerat (Stormers)

The former South African Under-20 captain is widely considered as a future Springbok with the skill and mental make-up to lead his country at the highest level. Unfortunately, those lofty expectations have been put on ice and his hopes of tackling the Lions dashed by a neck injury that’ll keep him out of action for an indefinite period.

JD Schickerling (Stormers)

Schickerling knows his Stormers lock partner’s current struggles all too well, having suffered a broken neck while playing for the Western Province Under-21 team against the Blue Bulls in 2014. Serious injuries have continued to stall his rise. At 100%, as he is now, there’s no doubt he’s Springbok calibre and commanding at both No.4 and No.5. For once, injuries might present rather than rob him of the ultimate opportunity.

The Rest:

Overseas-based players such as Stephan Lewies (Harlequins) and utility forwards like Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse), Bulls-bound Jacques du Plessis (Montpellier), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) and Sale Sharks duo Jean-Luc du Preez and Cobus Wiese are all in contention. 

Locally, Sharks stalwart Ruben van Heerden continues to go from strength to strength, Bulls duo Ruan Nortje and Walt Steenkamp are leading the new breed of locks, while “The Bone Collector” Willem Alberts is still lurking around at the Lions.