By Brenden Nel.
@GettyImages.
The Springboks will face Wales with a new-look loose trio after the news that former World Rugby Player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit will miss the first test against Wales with injury.
Du Toit had a shoulder operation a few months ago and hasn’t completed his rehab, even though he is with the Springboks at the moment, with assistant coach Deon Davids revealing that he will only be considered for the second test against Wales in Bloemfontein.
“He is busy with his re-hab after his shoulder operation. I think he will be cleared of that in the vicinity of Thursday, so obviously then he will be considered for the second test going forward, “Davids said at the team press conference on Monday.
This all leaves the Boks with a conundrum in selection – especially given the fact that Duane Vermeulen, one of their most experienced players is also on the sidelines.
But it comes at a time when there are several options for them to consider and the way the balance of the loose trio is announced on Tuesday will be very interesting considering the plethora of options they have.
While Jasper Wiese is set to claim the No 8 role and has been seen as the natural successor to Vermeulen, it is less clear on the side of the scrum what the Boks are going to do.
The coaching team could decide to blood young Bulls upstart Elrigh Louw, a tough-as-nails player who has the temperament that should succeed at test rugby and have been watching him for some time now.
They also have their regular go-to man in Franco Mostert, the lock-cum-flank never letting them down in any of the tests where he has had to step into the void left by Du Toit.
Ultimately it will be about the balance of the side – and with Evan Roos and Marcell Coetzee also in the frame, the Boks have a number of options that they can use when they take on the Welsh this weekend.
Davids hinted that there were many options open to the Boks, even while lamenting the fact they had lost another big name in their pack.
FIND THE RIGHT BALACE
“Pieter-Steph’s class is obvious. He was the best player in the world at one point. Duane plays a very good leadership role and his impact in the team is big. At the end of the day we see the glass rather as half full than half empty and it is an exceptional opportunity to give some of the younger guys in the squad a bit of exposure. We have a number of versatile players in the group – if you think of a guy like Franco Mostert for instance who can play flank or lock,” Davids said.
“You have guys like Elrigh Louw, Evan Roos. Obviously you want continuity and to have the experienced players as part of your team on any day. But it gives us a chance to build on the experience that we have on the day.”
That decision on whether to keep with the tried and tested or go with the young and exciting will be one which the Boks have pondered over the past few days before announcing their team to the players on Monday and will reveal who they go with on Tuesday.
But that they have a lot of options is clear. And to find that right balance, Davids suggests it depends more on what will work against Wales than what the Boks feel are the three most talented players in the positions.
“At this stage we are very privileged to have a lot of talent across different positions. If you look at the loose forwards, there are some exceptional talent at six, seven and eight. So when a player is in form and he produces – a guy like Marcell has incredible experience, being a Springbok and has had consistent performances – a player like that can just add value to the Springbok environment, “he explained.
“The same you can say if you look at the locks we have available. The players are very competitive and almost like for like in the four and five. The same in terms of the front rows, we are blessed in the talent we have.
“It is important for us to align all the players in what we can expect from them and how they can contribute, and so we can create an environment that is competitive to bring the best out of each other and understanding whether I am in the team or not, it is about the big picture, being the best and staying the best and working towards the next World Cup.
“If you have that healthy competition among all of the players, at the end of the day, it comes down to what you want to achieve on the day, and what player will give you that and how easily he will slot into the position. It is insightful, It is sometimes difficult to have those conversations and make those decisions but it is good to have all that talent available.”
Either way a new loose trio means new blood. And more for the Welsh to think about.
And the squad selection will be one of the most keenly watched ones ahead of what promises to be an enthralling test series.