We are attempting the impossible; predicting Rassie Erasmus’ starting lineup for the Springboks Test against Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend.
Erasmus has strayed from his standard Tuesday slot for announcing his lineup by waiting until late Friday to name the side this week.
It could mean a number of things from waiting on an injury update or even just mind games ahead of the Test, regardless here is our selection.
Backline
15 Willie le Roux
Yes we know Aphelele Fassi is in incredible form but veteran Le Roux is set to be pushed closer to his 100th cap at some point and this Test is the perfect opportunity. The full-back has shown he still has plenty to offer with the Bulls this season and his distribution and contribution on attack combines nicely with Handre Pollard’s game management.
14 Cheslin Kolbe
“Once-in-a-lifetime”. Those were the words of Erasmus describing the hot-stepping diminutive winger. There is not much else to say, Kolbe’s immense quality is obvious and he has a positive impact on just about every single game he plays. He certainly is one of the world’s best and is an easy selection for us.
13 Jesse Kriel
The temptation to give Lukhanyo Am a run was certainly there for us but given how potent Scotland centre combo ‘Huwipulotu’ is on attack we feel Erasmus will stick with in-form Kriel. The 13 has been consistently brilliant in green and gold for some time now and we don’t see that stopping soon. His one-on-one battle with Huw Jones will be intriguing to watch.
12 Andre Esterhuizen
The hulking Sharks has already thrown his name in the headlines this week after claiming he would rather have his 18 Test caps for South Africa than 70 for another country in a direct stab at Scotland’s foreign contingent. To be frank, the ‘Agent of Chaos’ is very unlucky to only have such few caps but no one can argue against the ever-green Damian de Allende’s selection in the Erasmus era. Still, the centre is humble and his face in the media this week suggests he will get a run. Best believe he will be locked and loaded for a big Test against Sione Tuipulotu in all likelihood.
11 Makazole Mapimpi
Another face in the media this week and due a start having sat out for a while now. Mapimpi is a Springbok great with an incredible strike rate to match. There is no Test where the wing will lack effort and work rate such as his character. He certainly deserves a run as his Test career winds to close over this cycle. Expect the Shark to be a try threat.
10 Handre Pollard
One of the harder positions to predict but given the way Erasmus has cycled through 10s and the fact that Le Roux should be playing we think Pollard will be the pivot for this one. The great fly-half is a masterful thinker and manages the game brilliantly which could be useful against a frenetic Scotland backline marshalled by Finn Russell.
9 Cobus Reinach
Just like fly-half, half-back is another nightmare to pick. If it was Manie Libbok at 10 then Jaden Hendrikse would be starting but since we picked Pollard it is more likely to be Reinach. Again, it is brutally difficult to choose as there is the rapid Grant Williams to consider amongst all of this. Regardless the Boks will be fielding serious quality at nine.
Standard pack
8 Jasper Wiese
Elrigh Louw made a significant impact in Wiese’s absence but the World Cup winner is primed and ready for this one. The former Leicester man can still arguably be considered the incumbent and he will be desperate to still make up for that lengthy suspension. Of course, Cameron Hanekom is in the mix but we doubt Erasmus will throw him in the deep end right now, although one never knows what the wily coach will do.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
With no like-for-like option in the squad we can expect Du Toit to play all three Tests. As far as indispensable players go the flank is right up there at the top of Erasmus’ list. Very few can match his engine, physicality and leadership on a weekly basis. Du Toit is nothing short of a coach’s dream and expect him to be in the conversation for the player of the match.
6 Siya Kolisi (c)
If there is anything the skipper needs right now it is to be on the field with his teammates. We expect it to be business as usual regarding Kolisi who may be rotated for the Welsh game, however, Erasmus will want to get the tour off to a winning start and this selection is part of it.
5 Franco Mostert
This would have been Ruan Nortje if he was not sent home with an injury. There is also an argument that towering lock RG Snyman should be starting given his form but his impact from the bench is vital for the Boks. Besides, even if Mostert is lacking match fitness odds are he will hit the ground running as he always seems to do.
4 Eben Etzebeth
Not sure we even need a write-up for the most capped Springbok in history but we will do one anyway. Etzebeth is a man for the big occasion and he will be relishing the chance to get under the Scottish skins in front of their home fans. Expect the usual, blockbuster performance.
3 Vincent Koch
One of the masters of the bench could well get a rare start with Frans Malherbe out injured. Koch is another one of those players who deserves more starts than he has got in his career but that does not take away from his success at the highest level. We strongly considered Thomas du Toit for this spot.
2 Bongi Mbonambi
Again, another position Erasmus could rotate in. We don’t see Johan Grobbelaar being involved in this one so it was a toss-up between Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx which more often than not sees the Shark start. Whatever way it goes the Springboks have massive quality.
1 Retshegofaditswe Nche
Gerhard Steenekamp is certainly a loosehead on the rise but no one in South Africa and perhaps the world comes close to Nche’s scrummaging ability. However, it is not just his set-piece ability that has caught the eye of late with the prop adding bits of clever distribution to his game in the Tony Brown attacking set-up. The superstar is only just entering his prime as a front-row and will just get better.
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