A new Boks for the better

This Springboks side to face Ireland really does have a nice, new, bright and shiny look to it.

New coach, new captain and a sprinkling of new players certainly add to that feel and of course, a slice of unknown.

For many a year, the Springboks have been pigeonholed as a stodgy, forward orientated, conservative side, whether fair or not, the perception remains and is often lamented by many a Bok supporter.

The initial appointment of new head coach, Allistair Coetzee, perhaps did little to initially alleviate these concerns, probably more known for his conservative Stormers sides in the past.

But his first side named suggests anything of the sort and shapes as quite an exciting prospect.

An athletic and powerful forward pack has been named and form players have been rewarded in the backs but the one selection that has caught my eye was at halfback where Faf de Klerk has been picked to make his debut.

In recent memory, South African sides have opted for a controlling halfback and tended to base their play around him leading to a more conservative approach. Perhaps a tad unfair on the likes of Ruan Pienaar and Fourie du Preez, both outstanding players in their own right but chosen to implement a game plan that probably did not do them or their side’s justice.

The difference I see with Faf de Klerk is I simply do not see him being able to play in such a fashion. He is a naturally attacking player, not afraid to have a run and offers clean and sharp service to his outsides.

While as Harry Jones has pointed out to me, he does look like a front man for the latest boy band, he exudes confidence and enjoyment in his work.

With players such as Patrick Lambie and Willie le Roux within the backline, the Springboks will not lack for creativity. Damian de Allende presents a ball player at the line while Lionel Mapoes form for the Lions this season has been rewarded and seems to have that innate ability to know when to run and when to distribute.

With speed on the outside and a loose forward trio more than capable of linking this Springboks side has a very different feel about it, an out and out attacking feel.

A quick glance at the bench also strengthens my personal view here, with Rudy Paige, a player similar to Faf, the reserve halfback, Warren Whiteley, a quick loose forward, a playmaker in Elton Jantjes and a speedster in Jessie Kriel, awaiting their turn from the pine, all attacking players.

Whether Allistair Coetzee is the right man to get the best out of these players’ remains to be seen of course but this side looks, to my eyes, a change for the better.

South African rugby faces many challenges, but this side looks an exciting prospect and I am greatly looking forward to how they go against the men from Ireland this June and I can’t help but feel a very exciting Rugby Championship lies in wait.