Rassie Erasmus told us to judge him on three criteria: improved performance on the field, depth built for the Rugby World Cup, and ‘transformation.’ So far, he gets a B minus, and was quite close to an A minus.
First, and perhaps crucially for the topic of transformation, he chose Siya Kolisi as his captain. At the time, Kolisi himself admitted he was in poor form. But it now seems clear that Erasmus knew what he was doing.
Kolisi has grown into the role. His dynamism in the tackle and with the ball has increased, along with his fitness. Even though he is a hybrid flanker, he has a clearly defined job and does it well.
He moves defenders at rucks with sickening force, he breaks tackles by good tacklers, and has shed any ‘quota’ label or perception.
Erasmus other big find, Aphiwe Dyantyi, was probably a consensus choice for the Team of the Tournament in the Rugby Championship, because he scored tries few players could even dream of, and even improved his suspect defense week by week.
So, there are two black stalwarts to build around, and construct star power on, even if the overall numbers do not meet government targets for caps on white players.
Other non-white players who raised a hand were Damian Willemse, albeit in cameos, Cheslin Kolbe (pound-for-pound, one of the bravest players in world rugby), Lukhanyo Am (who kept adding to his skillset until an untimely injury), live-wire Bongi Mbonambi, flier Makazole Mapimpi, and the power runner Sbu N’kosi, one of the heroes of the England series.
Questions remain, especially as Beast Mtawarira ages, about young black forwards progressing to the point of drawing level with world class heavyweights like Duane Vermuelen, Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The Springboks are conceding too many historic losses. (David Davies/PA Wire)
Second, the results were definitely improved. An England team came to the Republic and were handled, even if the dead rubber went to Eddie Jones. The Boks initially conceded too many tries, but as the season progressed, the defence tightened up.
Only the Boks and the All Blacks finished the tournament with a positive points differential. Clearly the second-best team, Erasmus’ team showed an ability to play three different tactical styles, and scored tries fast, from varieties of phases, and not dependent on maul drives.
If Francois Louw’s try in Brisbane had stood, and Handre Pollard had taken a drop goal in Pretoria, the Boks might even have won a trophy. So, a far cry from 0-57 last year and a wooden spoon race.
As for depth, Erasmus has at least three choices in almost every position, except the most vital ones.
His World Cup fullback, flyhalf, and scrumhalf appear sorted: Willie le Roux, Pollard, and Faf de Klerk.
Backups at fifteen appear to be Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse, and squad utility man Kolbe, but understudies at the crucial 9 and 10 playmaker positions has not improved since the era of Allister Coetzee.
Elton Jantjies and Damian Willemse are probably typed in on Erasmus’ depth chart, but Robert du Preez and Frans Steyn may also appear in pencil.
At scrumhalf, Erasmus appears to rate speedy scrumhalves who don’t mind tackling: Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl, and Cameron Wright, in that order. Intriguing Northern Hemisphere-based options could include Cobus Reinach and Francois Hougaard.
He seems to have plenty of wings, Mapimpi, Nkosi, Kolbe ,Travis Ismaiel, and Lwazi Mvovo seem to be on Erasmus’ radar for right wing. On the left, it’s Dyantyi, Courtnall Skosan, and Dillyn Leyds.
The midfield has been a revolving door. Jesse Kriel, Am, Lionel Mapoe, and Frans Steyn are in the picture for outside centre.
It seems Damian de Allende is first choice at inside centre, but André Esterhuizen was not bad, and options include Pollard (in second halves), Steyn, Willemse, and even Jan Serfontein (who is in top form for Montpellier), and Sale-based Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Damian de Allende (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
At number eight, Warren Whiteley is starting to seem injury-prone, but Vermeulen, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, and Dan du Preez can fill in, easily.
Pieter-Steph du Toit is the blindside Bok flank in South Africa, but Jean-Luc du Preez is also back, as a great reserve.
Kolisi is backed up by Marco van Staden, Francois Louw, and Kwagga Smith.
The Boks are spoiled with locks: Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Ruan Botha, JD Schickerling, and Marvin Orie.
The tighthead props include Frans Malherbe, Wilco Louw, Vincent Koch, Coenie Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane, and Thomas du Toit.
Marx is backed up by Mbonambi, Akker van der Merwe, Chiliboy Ralapelle, and Bismarck du Plessis.
Kitshoff, Mtwarira, and Nyakane man the loosehead.
All in all, Rassie seems to have three imperatives left for this year to get to an A:
1. Find his backups at 9, 10, and 15, but allow other combinations to gel.
2. Field a team with seven or more black players on the EOYT.
3. Win all the matches on the tour.
Oxie
Guest
The ginger quota?
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, that's why he's like-for-like with Faf! hahahaahh
Harry Jones
Expert
Beef tongue and cheek is very underrated. Braai that up and slather it with salsa.
Harry Jones
Expert
He's coming from a good place.
Hougie's kicking is not very consistent though.
Harry Jones
Expert
Hougaard is the most like-for-like with Faf: speed, defense, fiery.
Harry Jones
Expert
I like that team! Tank could play LH/Wilco at TH cover. Lood get a look in? Or RG for you? Hope Willemse gets all the remaining minutes at backup 10.
Edward Pye
Roar Guru
South Africa have an incredible team and are starting to gain confidence as well - I think the odds in Yokohama for their first WC game against the ABs will be very slim. I wouldn't say the team selection is settled though. Their midfield is up in the air. Both Kriel and DDA cramp a lot on attack, so they should probably mix one of them up with a more direct runner such as Steyn, Esterhuizen or Rohan. They also have two very creative and smart options in Am and Willemse. A partnership of DDA and Am gives them the best combination of skills IMO. Willemse has to be the back up 10 - he has the most x-factor of any of the back ups and like Pollard, he is very good at attacking the line and setting up forward momentum. This plays nicely into the Springbok strengths. I would also be backing up with Hougaard at 9. He can be inconsistent but again, hes the most dynamic sub to bring on. Kwagga Smith needs to be in the team for the same reason. 15. Le Roux 14. Nkosi 13. Am/Kriel 12. DeAllende 11. Dyantyi 10. Pollard/Willemse 9. De Klerk/Hougaard 8. Vermulen 7. Steph-DuToit 6. Kolisi/Smith 5. Etzebeth 4. De Jager/Mostert 3. Malherbe/Louw 2. Marx/Du Plessis 1. Kitshoff/Mtwarira SA B 15. Colbe 14. Lleyds/Mapimpi 13. Steyn 12. Van Rensberg 11. Skosan/ 10. Jjantes/Du Preez 9. Papier/Van Zyl 8. Whitely/Du Preez 7. Notshe 6. Louw 5. Snyman 4. Botha/Orie 3. Koch/Oosthuizen 2. Mbongi/Van der Merve 1. Nyakane/du Toit
Tooly
Roar Rookie
SA are fine with Erasmus who is handling a difficult job well ; more than can be said for Chekko who has made an easy job difficult with poor selections and poor game plans. Deans and McKenzie had done the hard work since then apart from a couple of flukes it’s been all down hill and BS.
Bobby magee
Guest
I guess it was a tongue and cheek comment Harry made re NZ and sheep on an article about respect too was it?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
I know exactly where you are coming from Kirky Bro.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep nice read Harry, but it was always, about the Bok's " Coming together". Iv'e seen the depth in rugby in the Republic, & to see Rassie, have, what we call in NZ, our greatest rivals, turn it around, has not only been a blessing for world rugby, but also for us as well. I can remember, back in 49 when we were trashed 4 - 0 in the test series in South Africa, & at the same time, for those that didn't make the cut to tour, suffered a 2 - 0 test series loss to the Wallaby, back home in NZ. Not a good year for NZ rugby, but to our credit, those losses were turned around the following year against the British Isles. The 56, tour of NZ by the Springboks of NZ was one that will never fade in my memory, as so many great players were in that Danie Craven, managed team. One particular memory was Peter Jones's famous comment, after the last test at Eden Park, which sealed the 3 - 1 series for the AB's. He said when asked how he felt, I'm absolutely buggered, a no, no, in that day in age, especially on National Radio. How times have changed. Cheers
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
sorry Aussie Bokkie!!.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
You could possibly throw Jan Surfontein into that mix Piripiri, as he has been playing very well in the French Top 14. Cheers.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
As much as the fitness may have improved (or not) - a big factor, in my opinion, on the performance of the last 15-20 minutes was in due part to the amount of tackles made during the Springoks' last two games as well as a more lax attitude given the scoreline. Ironically, if they had not won in Wellington they may have come out on top in this one, but they were deceiving themselves a bit. It is not the first time the Boks have done this historically. What is most pleasing is that this team is capable of building a mental hard-edge sort of like the teams of 2007-2009. Look, we are never going to be as consistent as the All Blacks, but we should aim for 75% winning record and we should achieve between 65-70%.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes
Andrew Johnson
Guest
I’m continually surprised to keep hearing about great defence! Yes they played well in both games but conceded 10 tries in two games, most teams/fans/coaches would be looking for big improvements if they coped that many! Well done to the Boks and I hope they do well in their northern tour be nice to quiten down those telling us that the north will dominate.
Andrew Johnson
Guest
I think it was written with a bit of tongue in cheek, calm down a little.
Fresney
Roar Pro
Enjoyed the read Harry. For Rassie to be in a position to build a Bok squad on par with the ABs, SARU will need to be 'reinvented'. SA rugby talent will continue to go north to earn their keep. Hansen has the luxury of building continuity; not so for this SA coach.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Mate, that is true. I enjoy very much competitive games, not one-sided affairs when one pays their ‘hard earned’ to effectively watch an exhibition match. Like all, I too enjoy the winning but in reality, I’m not devastated in a loss. I was present at the various stadiums to witness the 3 losses and a draw for the ABs over 2017 and 2016 up until now. Two of those games were in Wellington. The Boks were great, they deserved their win in the capital even though the odds were stacked against them. Many talk about how poor the ABs were, not I. The Boks did not allow the ABs the freedom to play their game, credit where credit is due. It is possible that I will be present at another, in Yokohama in a couple of weeks. Hansen has certainly opened the door (though team hasn’t been named yet) to the speculation that England and Ireland games are his priority for the EOYT. 18/19 extra players will travel to the Land of The Rising Sun for their two games there.