Last up in our series of Rugby Championship 2015 previews, it’s the Springboks.
South Africa fans will be bored of playing the bridesmaid role in The Rugby Championship. They have finished second to the All Blacks for the past two years, but after last year’s win over them at Ellis Park – the first time any Southern Hemisphere side had managed that since before the 2011 World Cup – they again look the most likely challengers.
In a World Cup year, when squad rotation is vital, and in a watered down tournament that features only three games, is this the Springboks’ best chance of usurping the All Blacks? It might well be.
STRENGTHS
‘Physicality’ is a peculiar piece of jargon that has waded into the rugby lexicon in recent years, and seems firmly here to stay. Whether you like it as a turn of phrase or not, there is no doubt that it is something the South African rugby team have in spades – you always know when you’ve been in an encounter with the Boks.
It is far from their only strength, however, and moving away from their more traditional areas of expertise (namely, the set-piece) the Boks have an encouraging undercurrent of youthful exuberance in their back-line. Cobus Reinach and Handré Pollard look like the long-term half-back pairing, while outside them Damien de Allende and Jesse Kriel – two of the few South African backs to emerge from the Super Rugby campaign in credit – absolutely ripped up against the World XV in the warm-up game.
There is a spine of experience for these guys to fit themselves around – the front row trio are probably the most recognisable in world rugby, while the likes of Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Ruan Pienaar and Jean de Villiers (should he feature this tournament) ensure there is always a steady hand on the tiller.
WEAKNESSES
Experience is all well and good, but should it trump form? It is a question the Springbok selectors must surely be debating, particularly in that front row where Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis boast nearly 200 caps between them, but could count their world class performances in the past couple of years on one hand.
Waiting in the wings are several players with vastly fewer caps but much greater public support – the likes of the Stormers’ Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff, and a stalwart of the Top 14-winning Stade Français pack Heinke van der Merwe, are all much more popular picks amongst the fans. Experience is vital in the high-pressure test arena, but would Meyer be better off gelling these youngsters ahead of the World Cup? Or does he stick to his guns? These are tricky and unwelcome questions so close to a World Cup.
Handré Pollard looks like he will enter the tournament as the first choice fly-half, and is the most attacking option they have had in that jersey for some time. But his game management at times falters, and he needs a series of commanding displays in this tournament to convince the doubters that he is the right option to lead the team through the World Cup ahead of the more pragmatic Morné Steyn or Pat Lambie.
KEY PLAYER
Willie le Roux scored a hattrick against the World XV last weekend, shrugging off an indifferent Super Rugby season with the Cheetahs to remind everyone just how devastating he is with ball in hand. He is alarmingly quick over the first few metres, with a sidestep to match, making him probably the most dangerous counter-attacking fullback around at the moment – and when you consider the calibre of players across the world in this position, that is high praise indeed.
WORLD CUP BOLTER
Jesse Kriel will make his debut this weekend, but after a Super Rugby campaign in which he excelled it is no less than he deserves. It is perhaps slightly bizarre that he is playing at 13, given that he spent 99% of his club campaign with 15 on his back, but it shows how highly the coaching staff regard him that they will start him ahead of more out-and-out options at 13 in the opening round against the Wallabies. Judging by how he played against the World XV, it is a decision that could pay dividends. If, or when, Jean de Villiers returns to full fitness he may well be usurped, but given his versatility, Kriel will almost certainly have a part to play in the Boks’ World Cup campaign.
Video credit: 7RugbyVids
PREDICTION
South Africa have two out of three games at home but they do face a potential banana skin first up with an away trip to Australia – especially as they have had very little time in the country to prepare. That game could define their championship – win, and they will take a lot of confidence into the home encounter with New Zealand. Lose and all of a sudden they are staring down the barrel of two losses from three games. I think they’ll have enough to see off a rusty Wallabies outfit, but will still be hard pressed to beat this insatiable New Zealand outfit. Two wins from three looks the most likely, and another year as the bridesmaid. Predicted finish: 2nd.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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