Rassie's savvy selections show importance of Los Pumas face-off

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus’ savvy selections of Handré Pollard and a six-two forward-heavy bench highlight the Springboks’ respect for Argentina and the occasion in Santiago del Estero.

Many were left scratching their heads when Erasmus announced his 28-man touring squad to Argentina last week.

One could understand why the Bok coach would rest a group of senior players, given their workload in previous months.

Sending Eben Etzebeth to Argentina would allow the lock to edge closer to the all-time South African record of 128 Test caps, and move ahead of Victor Matfield in the final Rugby Championship fixture in Mbombela.

However, the inclusion of Siya Kolisi made less sense at the time.

Kolisi’s nose was broken following a collision with All Blacks flank Sam Cane in the Test staged at Ellis Park.

The Bok captain showed remarkable bravery to march on in the Freedom Cup decider at Cape Town Stadium.

Many felt that, in lieu of surgery, Kolisi had earned a break.

Now it’s been revealed that Kolisi is being groomed for a new role within the Bok set-up, and may follow in Duane Vermeulen’s footsteps.

Vermeulen sat in the coaches’ box for the World Cup pool match against Ireland in Marseille last year before taking on a full-time position in the management team in 2024.

This Saturday, Kolisi will enjoy a similar experience in Santiago.

It appears that Erasmus has a long-term plan for Kolisi, should the 33-year-old lose form at some stage of the next few years.

At the moment, of course, the flank remains a valuable ball-carrier and defender, with a work-rate that is only second to that of Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Will Argentina view this move by Erasmus as a sign of disrespect?

Kolisi will be in the coaches’ box, while some of the Boks’ best players – Du Toit, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe – have been left in South Africa to prepare for the second game of the series.

It’s a bold call by Erasmus, considering the Boks are already without so many other stars due to injuries.

Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu and Grant Williams have joined a casualty ward that includes Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk, Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn and Steven Kitshoff.

Several of those players are on the mend, but are unlikely to be back until the tour to the United Kingdom in November.

So has Erasmus gambled with his selections this week?

The Boks need three points from the next two matches to take an unassailable lead at the top of the Rugby Championship standings.

In theory, they can afford to prioritise development over results in Santiago, as they will have another opportunity to seal the title in the final fixture in Mbombela.

And yet, a closer look at the make-up of the squad on tour suggests that Erasmus is attempting to tick both boxes.

Some might have expected Erasmus to throw caution to the wind for this clash, and give all of the fringe players starting opportunities in an entirely experimental combination.

Why not pair Morné van den Berg and Manie Libbok as the starting halfbacks? Start Canan Moodie at outside centre? Reward Elrigh Louw with his outstanding contributions in the recent Freedom Cup series with a start at No.8?

But Erasmus has opted for more balanced combinations, and these decisions are shaped by the threat of the opposition.

The Pumas lead most of the attacking stats after four rounds.

Felipe Contepomi’s charges made a statement when they beat the All Blacks 38-30 in Round One – breaking the record for the most points scored by an opponent on New Zealand soil, a record that was set by the Boks in their 36-34 win back in 2018.

More recently, they put nine tries and 67 points past Australia in Santa Fe.

If they win in Santiago this Saturday, they will believe that they can win in Mbombela next week.

And if they go back-to-back against the Boks, they’re likely to pip the South Africans for the Rugby Championship crown.

Knowing this, Erasmus will want to get the job done this week.

This is one of the reasons his matchday 23 boasts more balance than many expected it would.

Double World Cup-winners Cobus Reinach and Handré Pollard will start at scrumhalf and flyhalf.

Even though Lukhanyo Am is relatively new to the No.12 role at Test level, there’s a lot of experience in that backline, with Jesse Kriel and Makazole Mapimpi in tow.

Kurt-Lee Arendse is a first-choice wing and arguably South Africa’s best finisher, while fullback Aphelele Fassi has proved his worth in recent matches against the Wallabies and All Blacks.

There’s more of a mix between youth and experience in the pack, but again, Erasmus is looking for a balance between the two.

First-choice No.8 Jasper Wiese starts ahead of Louw, alongside rookie Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden – who rarely features in the run-on side.

Salmaan Moerat is paired with another less experienced lock in Ruan Nortje, but the starting front row of Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nché are all World Cup winners.

Erasmus and former head coach Jacques Nienaber favoured a 5-3 split on the bench in both fixtures against Argentina last year.

On this occasion, Erasmus has opted for an extra loose forward to combat the Pumas pack and strengthen South Africa’s set piece and maul in the second stanza.

It’s the kind of combination you might expect for a play-off or Final, and clearly the Boks view the Santiago del Estero clash in the same light.

And how about the strength of this Bok bench? How close is that dynamic to a ‘first-choice Bomb Squad?’

Prop Gerhard Steenekamp has been one of the Boks’ most consistent performers this season, and Louw has also provided the desired impact from the bench.

Bomb Squad veterans Vincent Koch and Etzebeth will offer experience – with the latter a potential captain in the dying stages – while versatile front row forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels and halfbacks Jaden Hendrikse and Libbok should inject some pace into the second-half performance.

Erasmus has made a series of bold selections throughout the Rugby Championship, but he has balanced those selections with the inclusion of experienced players.

And by selecting the most balanced team available for the next match in Santiago, Erasmus has signalled South Africa’s intent to push for a title-clinching win.

@rugby365com