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Heyneke Meyer is no Nero, the emperor who fiddled while Rome fizzled, but the Springbok coach has burnt his fingers in the way he has fiddled while choosing what he thinks will be a World Cup-winning team.
Injuries have been a major setback, but he still has not settled on his line-up as the William Webb Ellis showpiece looms.
Part of the problem has been Meyer’s insistence that experience is more important than current form – something that former Springbok pivot and now TV pundit Naas Botha disagrees with.
This is what the Springbok legend had to say earlier this month: “It is said World Cups are won with experience but is that really the answer?
“Do you take talent that is in form or do you opt for experience?” he said. “I think it is quite simple, you take the guy that is in form.”
The midfield combination of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, he says, is an example of how valuable young talent at the top of their game is to the Springboks.
“If you look at De Allende and Kriel, they have enough experience but on the international stage they are inexperienced,” Botha said. “Have they really looked inexperienced over the last internationals? No. They were quite creative and scored quite good tries.”
So where does that leave the old-timers who are still part of his plan for the World Cup, which is about a month away?
Some of the dozen or so players Meyers dredged up from the 2007 World Cup-winning squad are still around and deserve a place in our starting team, but others are no longer in contention.
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis, prop Jannie du Plessis, loose forward Schalk Burger, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and wing Bryan Habana should all, in my view, make the side – but captain Jean de Villiers would have to go. His performance in the devastating 37-25 defeat by Argentina in Durban was average. Now out injured again, it would be foolish to pick him in a starting line-up.
Some fans, when asked about Victor Matfield, used to say: “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.” I don’t hear them singing that chorus anymore and most don’t believe he should be in the team or even on the bench.
The lock, a noted 39-year-old lineout guru, is clearly beyond his best in general play. He has lost pace, avoids getting involved in rucks, when the going gets down and dirty, and hangs about behind the action as a link with other players.
Younger locks such as Lood de Jager and lately Pieter-Steph du Toit are in better form. And there is no way that Eben Etsebeth should lose his place.
In the time Meyer has been in charge, he has failed to groom younger players, something the All Blacks and the Wallabies have done. Because of this, they have far better depth in their squads.
The All Blacks have five top flyhalves: Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga. We have two, Handre Pollard and Pat Lambie.
Meyer is now faced with having to drop younger players into the cockpit of tension that is Test rugby after giving them scant game time in the past. As good as they are that is a tough ask.
When given a chance, younger Springboks in the backline, Pollard, De Allende and Kriel, had fans cheering and gave them hope for the future.
Then came Meyer’s move to switch Kriel to wing and include De Villiers at centre. Jean deserved a chance, too, to prove his worth, but it didn’t pay off.
I tire of South African fans to continue to bleat about referees. The Pumas simply outplayed us. It was not the ref’s fault. The Argentinians out-scrummed the Boks and their forwards and backs gave as good as they got.
The Springboks too often get caught napping. The All Blacks bamboozled us at Ellis Park and the Pumas did so at Kings Park.
It was embarrassing to get beaten so easily by Argentina, ranked eighth in the world. We finished last in The Championship and our No 2 world ranking looks like slipping.
Meyer is talking up our World Cup chances as he always does. Maybe to should take a hint from Botha and take more of a chance with the younger stars. But if the past repeats itself, this isn’t likely to happen.
My starting team for September, barring injuries, with a mix of experience and players in form, would be:
1: Tendai Mtawarira 2: Bismarck du Plessis 3: Jannie du Plessis 4: Eben Etsebeth 5: Lood de Jager 6: Francois Louw 7: Schalk Burger 8: Duan Vermeulen (captain) 9: Fourie du Preez 10: Handre Pollard 11: Bryan Habana 12: Damian de Allende 13: Jesse Kriel 14: Cornel Hendricks 15: Willie le Roux.
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.