In the aftermath of a poor End of Year Tour in 2014, former Bulls and current Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has nowhere to hide.

It is finally time to see whether he has any bark to that bite and whether or not he will have the heart to make all the hard decisions in next year’s World Cup.

First, let’s rewind the clocks back three years. Pieter de Villiers had been the Springbok coach and the South African national rugby union team had just lost a heartbreaking World Cup quarter final against the Australian Wallabies.

At this stage the Springboks were dire to say the least. Pieter de Villiers had taken Jake White’s brand of JakeBall and intensified it in an attempt to perfect the style, there was no compromise, evolution or expansion. There was nothing. Watching the Boks in 2011 was an awful thing to do and yet we, as proud South Africans, stayed glued to our TV sets.

Of course game tactics weren’t the only problems we had back then, we also had selection dilemmas.

Coach de Villiers was adamant that John Smit was completely necessary to the team regardless of the fact that he had Victor Matfield in his prime to fall back on in terms of captaincy, and that he had Bismarck du Plessis in his arsenal, who was already the best hooker in the world.

Also, he had the dynamic duo of Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon on his bench to provide a little spark to the team despite the fact that he had employed a kicking game.

Back to the present, and now it would seem that Heyneke Meyer faces a similar challenge. He knows that next year is the be all, end all for all of South Africa. He knows that should he fail miserably next year, that his job is in mortal danger, regardless of the fact that there are rumours of him receiving a contract extension.

So the question stands: Can Meyer make the tough decisions before the world’s premier showcase? Can he drop a horribly out of form Jannie du Plessis? Can he trust the bulk of his new found talent like Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux and Patrick Lambie?

I for one can’t say for sure, Meyer is a hard man to understand.

For example, he has been very stubborn in the past. He has been running around begging senior players to return to the international fold. It was he who dragged Fourie du Preez out of Japan in 2013. It was he who kidnapped Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen from their Japanese clubs as well while he arranged a permanent braai with Bakkies Botha in France. He convinced Victor Matfield to return to the field. He hoped Juan Smith could deliver the goods as well. He is currently begging Jaque Fourie to reconsider his choice to retire.

So obviously Heyneke Meyer believes that all these old players are absolutely necessary to his World Cup plans. But what about the flip-side to the coin?

Meyer has blooded more youngsters than most Bok mentors of recent memory. Other than that he has also shown that he has the balls to be adventurous. He played Handre Pollard first up against New Zealand in New Zealand. He dropped Morne Steyn for the majority of the 2014 season, something most people believed to be impossible. He selected Willie le Roux in 2013 and gave him the freedom to roam, he has given Pat Lambie a few runs.

On the one hand we have a Blue Bulls engineer in Meyer. The type of man who is conservative and collected. His endless pursuit of the old guard suggest that he intends to play his old team’s patterns. On the other hand you have an All Blackish Meyer who does ballsy things like playing a 20-year-old against New Zealand and allowing his team to play a fast paced attacking game.

I have faith in Meyer, though after Ireland and Wales my faith has been shaken. I believe he is a good coach, but I sometimes wonder which direction he actually wants to go with things.

After due consideration I have selected the 15 players that I believe are the best in their respective positions. Do consider that these selections are purely based on current and past form stretching back to 2012. I have no idea of what level of form these players will be at next year or which will be available, so this team can change very fast.

Loosehead Prop: Tendai Mtawarira (186cm, 117kg) – Sharks
The Beast probably is the best loosehead we have. Sufficed to say he has not been close to his 2009 form but in the World Cup he seems our best shot.

His scrumming is good. Not spectacular and not weak, just good. He is relatively fit and possesses very good pace for a man in the front row. What we need to start doing is getting him into space. If your prop is fast then use it.

Hooker: Bismarck du Plessis (189cm, 114kg) – Sharks
Chooses himself really. Bismarck du Plessis is much better than Richard Hibbard, Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Steven Moore and Dane Coles when on form, especially 2012 form prior to his injury.

He is a massive scrummager, usually pin-point in the lineouts, a highly effective tackler, devastating ball carrier and, of course a brilliant fetcher. He disappointed this year and we hope he gets back to top form next year.

Tighthead Prop: Frans Malherbe (190cm, 124kg) – Stormers
Julian Redelinghuys could easily claim this spot and I would have absolutely no objections.

However I have chosen Malherbe for his all round contribution. The Stormers led the Super Rugby scrumming stats for the majority of the season only to be usurped at the last three rounds.

Malherbe is probably the tied best scrummer with Redelinghuys but what sets him apart is his work ethic. He is a very good tackler and carrier and cleans out a lot of rucks. Whether he or Redelinghuys are chosen I wouldn’t mind. Just not Jannie du Plessis.

Nr. 4 Lock: Eben Etzebeth (203cm, 125kg) – Stormers
The man who can do 80kg bicep curls or something like that. When on form, Etzebeth is the only lock in the world that can outplay Brodie Retallick on the day.

He is incredibly fast for a man his size, and a mammoth of a man on offence and defence. The wise Steve Hansen called him a freak of nature. Unfortunately this freak of nature failed to live up to his reputation this year. He was not on form and that is worrying.

Nr. 5 Lock: Victor Matfield (201cm, 110kg) – Vodacom Bulls
In the beginning of the year I said that I don’t rate Matfield. Then after his first two Tests I admitted that I had treated him very harshly and that he was the best man for the job. He still is.

It is too late for Pieter-Steph du Toit to claim this jersey, a sad fact but sad nonetheless. His time will come. Now I’m not changing my mind about Matfield again but there are certain things I want to highlight.

Matfield knows that by the grace of God he has never been an efficient ball carrier. So then why would he continuously initiate the pick and go every time he arrives at the ruck? He has conceded no less than seven penalties this year for doing a pick and go and being turned over.
Regardless, he is still the best five we have.

Openside Flanker; Francois Louw (190cm, 114kg) – Bath
How we missed Louw in the End of Year Tour. The former Stormers stalwart has become irreplaceable in the Springbok fold.

He is the only South African openside who can stand up to the King, Richie McCaw and the fact that he plays and strives in the northern hemisphere makes him so much more valuable. He is very fit and as mobile as a New Zealand loose-forward and can also give a nifty offload.

Blindside Flanker: Jacques Potgieter (194cm, 115kg) – NSW Waratahs
The surprise package in my deal. I confess that it was hard to leave out Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts and Schalk Burger, but I have chosen JackPot for three very specific reasons.

For one Potgieter has learnt the way of the Aussie without sacrificing his brutal South African-ness. He now does what few South African loosies can do. He understands the concept of identifying space and he has developed the nous to know when and how to pass.

Simply put, I saw him make linebreaks for the Tahs this year and offloading to other players. He knows how to put players into space now and that is something we need. Louw can do it as well and so as a combination I see them working well.

The second reason is that he is aggressive. The third reason is that he is a hard player, something the Boks missed dearly in Europe. He has the physical dominance to act as an Alberts.

Number 8: Duane Vermeulen (193cm, 116kg) – Stormers
There can only be the current best eighthman in the world.

Vermeulen’s physical pressence coupled with his breakdown intellect and defensive organisation makes him immovable. With the inclusion of Potgieter some of the physical drain will be taken off of Thor which will give him the opportunity to broaden his game.

I recently re-watched his game for the Barbarians last year and picked up an interesting factor. Vermeulen ran off 13 in that game, regularly at depth and generated massive carries for the team. He offloaded with ease and brushed off several Fijian players. Hansen knew how to bring out the best in Vermeulen. Don’t be afraid to use him in the wider channels.

Scrum-half: Fourie du Preez (182cm, 91kg) – Suntory
I neglected Francois Hougaard and Cobus Reinach because of their hesitation here, which left me with du Preez.

We all know that Hougaard has trouble with his kicking and distributing game, as much was evident against Ireland. Reinach is a very good player but I think his time will come after next year.

While most would consider du Preez as an old school scrummie, you would do well to review his games of 2013. Pay close attention to his passes.

While not as quick as Aaron Smith to the breakdown, his passes are very accurate and he is very instinctive about them. Fourie du Preez passes squarely in the sweetspot, not too wide and not too close to his recipients. Players run onto his passes instead of against them, which generates the go-forward the Springboks thrive on. His kicking game is the best in the world.

Fly-half: Handre Pollard (189cm, 96kg) – Bulls
Pollard has the skills and the physique to become the next big thing in world rugby.

He is fast, physical and his mental agility is akin to Daniel Carter’s who is the greatest ever fly-half. His games against the All Blacks and his impact against Italy show you he is the best 10 in South Africa.

He can recognise and exploit space and as an added bonus he stands strong in defence, Standing at 189cm and close to a 100kg, Pollard can even mix it with the big boys.

Left Winger: Bryan Habana (180cm, 94kg) – Toulon
I feel genuinely sorry for Habana. He never gets the ball but he goes looking for work everywhere he can find it.

His defence is good and his aerial skills aren’t too bad either. What I like about Habana is the fact that even though he didn’t see much of the ball he did go around and won quite a few turnovers. He is what all South African wingers lack. If the ball doesn’t come to you, you go look for it.

Inside Centre: Francois Steyn (191cm, 106kg) – Sharks
With Springbok captain Jean de Villiers set to miss out on the World Cup, I found my heart and head say different things.

On the one hand you have Jan Serfontein, who is a terrible 13 but a very good 12.

Ultimately I went with Francois Steyn because he can give you an all round game. He can play the crash ball, he can pass, he can offload, he can kick and he is a creative player.

I am sure that given the situation that he and Meyer will sort things out and if he is available, use him. His tactical kicking would be appreciated should Pollard or Lambie struggle.

Outside Centre: Damian de Allende (194cm, 105kg) – Stormers
Damian de Allende burst onto the scene through a highly impressive Super Rugby campaign this year.

What I like about him is that like Steyn, he has a good all round game to his name. He can pass and offload well and he has a massive boot on him.

After the Stormers versus Hurricanes game this year current All Black Conrad Smith said that de Allende is the strongest centre he has ever faced. This was evident all year as he stood back to no one, even smashing the 130kg Coenie Oosthuizen back in the tackle.

His biggest asset to my mind is his distribution which I believe will help his outside backs.

Right Winger: Willie le Roux (185cm, 90kg) – Cheetahs
If 2014 taught me one thing it is that le Roux belongs on the wing and not at fullback. All his best games have been on the wing.

The demolishion of Australia at Suncorp where he supplied Zane Kirchner with a try and scored one on his own, his try against the same Wallabies in Cape Town and then his try against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in 2013. All of them on the wing.

Fullback: Patrick Lambie (177cm, 87kg) – Sharks
Lambie is one of the most talented Springboks in the entire squad and is too good to leave out. He is a terrific tackler for a man of his size, has a valuable boot and can cut up defences left right and centre. He is familiar with the fullback role and can perform there.

These are only but my personal selections based on my preference, feel free to voice your own opinion as is your right. The input of any non Springboks would also be very appreciate it.

Ultimately it will be Heyneke Meyer who decides who will play or not, but he should ask himself the question : What are we getting wrong and how can we make it right?

Time is ticking and our World Cup hopes are depending on it.