Job vacancies sign goes up for Bok positions

Talking on a rugby podcast last week, Stuart Barnes opined that the Springbok team that travelled through Europe last year was the worst to have ever left the shores of South Africa.

It was a bold statement by the former British and Irish Lions flyhalf, but it’s difficult to dispute in the aftermath. They’re still mopping up the blood.

Even now, people are embarrassed to talk about it. But it’s there, a bold black mark in the history books.

Fast forward four months and the battle lines have been redrawn. Local rugby has undergone a brutal self-analysis. We aren’t good enough, is the general refrain. But we’re fighting on.

All bets are off as regards the Springboks going into the new season. Numerous positions are up for grabs and even the playing style has been prised from the old template.

Super Rugby is much less a chase for silverware than an audition for the Springbok squad. There are openings everywhere.

IIf a team was named to play against Mars tomorrow, the only guarantees would be Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth

If a team was named to play against Mars tomorrow, the only guarantees would be Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth. These are the only two who would reasonably have a shout for a spot in a World XV.

Beast Mtawarira has done yeoman work over the years at loosehead, but the endless toil has worn him down. Lizo Qhoboko of the Bulls and Ox Nche of the Cheetahs are both in the mix, ready to unseat the grizzled warrior.

Hooker also presents a quandary following Adriaan Strauss’ extraordinary decision to vacate the role. Malcolm Marx had a bruising blooding against New Zealand last year, but he’s a tough kid who will emerge the better for it. He’s the closest thing we have to a Bismarck du Plessis locally, being both highly physical and athletic.

Unfortunately the tighthead beasts of old no longer exist in SA rugby. There are, though, some grafters – Vincent Koch, Lourens Adriaanse, Julian Redelinghuys and Frans Malherbe – who can carry out a holding operation.

South Africa has the precious gift of vibrant loose forwards; the trick is getting the brew right. The recent experiment with Du Toit and Willem Alberts flanking the Bok scrum flopped spectacularly.

Duane Vermeulen would ordinarily be a certainty for number eight, but selecting overseas players is a murky business, especially ones who play for eccentric team owners like Mourad Boudjellal.

Warren Whiteley is the man in possession, but he needs to learn to boss big games like Kieran Read or Louis Picamoles do. Hanro Liebenberg and Sikhumbuzo Notshe are both chasing hard.

We have a healthy stock of top class flankers and any of Nizaam Carr, Uzair Cassiem, Oupa Mohoje, Flo Louw, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Roelof Smit or Jannes Kirsten could come into consideration. Super Rugby could be the making of them.

For my money, Francois Hougaard is the go-to man at scrumhalf, but only if the air is cleared over foreign-based players. If not, expect usual suspects Rudi Paige, Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach to duke it out.

For years the number 10 jersey was the most important backline selection in SA rugby. Morné Steyn was the last true matchwinner (on account of his kicking), but none of Elton Jantjies, Pat Lambie or Handre Pollard has offered consistent excellence. Pollard needs to win back his form after a cruel run of injury and Jantjies and Lambie need to assert themselves in Super Rugby. Jean-Luc du Plessis of the Stormers, a beautiful passer of the ball, isn’t far off either.

The most significant development in the Bok context was the inclusion of Seabelo Senatla in this week’s training squad. He possesses the energy and razor-sharp instincts that have been absent among the backs.

Chuck in the like of Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Ruan Combrinck, Warrick Gelant, Cheslin Kolbe, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Sergeal Petersen and Jamba Ulengo and there’s much to work with. Perhaps even Jan Serfontein will rediscover his mojo. The excellent Harold Vorster is also lurking after a year on the sidelines.

Looking at all these names, the picture isn’t quite as bleak as the calamity of last year’s tour indicated. Super Rugby will weed out the shirkers. Those who remain can help revive the old Bok beast. – © Sunday Tribune