Team selection: Will Rassie stay true to his mantra?
OPINION: Rassie Erasmus not only took the Springboks from ranked sixth in the world to back-to-back World Cup champions, but he also revolutionised the game.
His biggest influence was to convince the world his forward-heavy bench was not just a gimmick, but a new way to look at the game.
The ‘bomb squad’ (so named by the players themselves at the 2019 World Cup) only started gaining traction after the 2023 World Cup win.
This ingenious selection formula forced other countries (and teams) to adjust.
Erasmus’ selection model is a merit-based, long-term strategic framework that prioritises output over reputation, utility over specialisation, and a team-first mentality over individual ego.
Erasmus once famously stated that there are two types of players – those who will do anything to be in the team, and those who will do anything to make the team ‘better’.
It is with this in mind that I ponder a potential matchday 23 for the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, when South Africa hosts New Zealand at Ellis Park on August 22.
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Across three Nations Championship Tests in July and last week’s one-off international in Argentina, the Bok coach heavily metamorphosed the team.
He used the 40-odd players in the squad, and all of them got game time.
That is why the combination for the Ellis Park stand-off next week is going to be vital.
You need players capable of stepping up in the big moments.
Giving game time with a view to next year’s World Cup must be put on the shelf for later.
There will be rotation, but mostly to a core of about 25 players.
With Erasmus having continuously rotated, the frontline players are well rested and should be able to see through the brutal four weeks of the Greatest Rivalry Tests.
The key selections will be scrumhalf and flyhalf, especially No.10.
That will determine the type of game the Boks will play.
Will they go back to the ‘conservative’ approach used against Argentina, or play the All Blacks at their own game?
The uncertainty around Siya Kolisi’s fitness also influenced my selection.
If he is available, he will start and captain the team.
If not, Paul de Villiers will start, and Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the team.
Here is my SPRINGBOK matchday 23: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Cobus Reinach.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
