Over the last two weeks, we’ve seen evidence that this young and inexperienced Springbok team have the skills and power to win the World Cup. But, they lack the tactical nous and fitness to close out games.
As a die-hard Bok supporter, my biggest fear is that Heyneke Meyer will bring Jean De Villiers, and the rest of his aged contemporaries, back into the starting line-up. If the Boks are to stand any chance of winning the Cup, this cannot happen.
Heyneke needs to be bold, and stick with his current midfield experiment which has reinvigorated South African rugby.
South Africa’s biggest issue right now is the last 20 minutes. In both the Australia and New Zealand Tests, the Boks fell apart at this point. I think the starting players aren’t fit enough, and more importantly, the subs used aren’t experienced at closing out a game.
So, with that in mind, I suggest a strategy of utilising the experienced players South Africa has off the bench. Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield have a lot to offer, just not as starters anymore.
So, here’s my ideal team.
1. Beast
2. Bismarck
3. Jannie
4. Etsebeth
5. De Jager
6. Schalk
7. Louw
8. Vermuelen
9. Du Preez
10. Pollard
11. Habana
12. De Allende
13. Kriel
14. Frans Steyn
15. Le Roux
16. Nyakane
17. Strauss
18. Oosthuizen
19. Matfield
20. Alberts
21. Pienaar
22. Lambie
23. De Villiers
The thinking would be that the young guns blast the opposition away for 60 minutes, like they have the last two games, and then the Boks bring on the wise old heads to close out the game. It’s in those last 20 minutes that they lose lineouts, and make bad decisions, and gaps in the defence open up.
A fresh Matfield, De Villiers, Ruan Pienaar and Willem Alberts will bring on the defensive edge we need, and also make good choices.
But the Boks mustn’t start those old folks. The young guys play with so much more energy and power. Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth were everywhere, dominating the opposition.
When did Matfield last dominate anybody? When did De Villiers smash people over like Damian de Allende does, or hit a gap like Jesse Kriel, at pace and power?
The future is now. Heyneke needs to embrace it, and keep the old guys on the bench.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
It was a memorable night in more ways than one for the Queensland forward.
The youngster was playing his first Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench, but his game wasn't the main talking point after the game.
Is this a sign that rugby laws are getting too tricky, even for the players and commentators?
The kick of around 50 metres got the Reds well downfield!
Wallaby Jordie Petaia is in doubt for the rest of the Super Rugby season, and potentially Australia's Test series against Wales, after suffering a…
The Reds centre had to leave the field to get the shoulder popped in, with fears he will need several weeks on the sideline…
