Rassie reveals where the Bok roster is 'thin'
SQUAD ASSESSMENT: Under two years out from defending their title, back-to-back World Cup winners South Africa are ‘running thin’ in a key position.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted that his second row stocks are not looking as flush as it should be.
Erasmus, speaking at Springbok headquarters in the Plattekloof suburb of Cape Town, felt that the depth of the squad is adequate in all but one position.
“We are a bit thin at lock,” Erasmus said, adding: “If you look at our depth at lock in terms of the age bracket and the number of games players played, we lack maybe.”
He described Bulls captain Ruan Nortje and Stormers counterpart Salmaan Moerat as ‘settled, average-age’ players.
In a pivotal position like flyhalf, the roster looks a lot more exciting.
“Having six flyhalves might sometimes not be enough, but at No.10 we have Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“With [utility back] Damian Willemse and Jordan Hendrikse, you feel safe in the No.10 channel.
“However, if three flyhalves suffer injuries in two weeks, you are left with Damian [Willemse] as your starting flyhalf, and Jordan [Hendrikse] is the back-up and has to play a big match.
“It is about spreading the load, like when Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse got some experience in a game against Wales, while Jaden has played some big matches for us against the All Blacks.
“Getting players in might sometimes look like you are giving a cap away, but you are giving the guy the confidence of being comfortable in the Springbok environment.
“If you then have to press on his button, he is not coming in cold.”
At prop, he has been blooding players as well, like Ntuthuko Mchunu, who was given a handful of Tests.
“He hasn’t played a lot, but he has trained with us,” Erasmus said.
“He came back from an injury, he is settled and scrummed well against Wilco Louw.
“Sometimes it is a matter of knowing that if you need a player, he can play at international level.
“There might be guys ahead of him still, but he has shown he can do the job.”
At lock, it is not as rosy.
France-based lock David Ribbans (capped by England and playing for Toulon) has been thought about, but practical implications could be the biggest stumbling blocks.
Ribbans, like Ireland-capped Jean Kleyn, was in 2023, could qualify for South Africa after his stand down period, as he hasn’t played for England since the 2023 World Cup.
However, Erasmus suggested he may not offer anything more than what is on the roster.
“If we are really in trouble, we will have to make a plan,” the Bok coach said.
JJ van der Mescht, a former Baby Bok who now plays for Northampton Saints after four years with Stade Français, is another name that came up in the conversation.
“Will we have enough time to get him into the Bok culture?” Erasmus said.
“Every player we bring in, we have to get him to understand how the system works.
“JJ [van der Mescht] is a monster of a guy, but will we have enough time with him and will he understand our culture? Do we really need him?”
Erasmus explained that with Eben Etzebeth banned and RG Snyman playing for Leinster in Ireland, both past the age of 30, he will rather look at the talent at home.
“I know Salmaan Moerat gets criticised, but he has done the job for us on several occasions.
“He does things for us in our team, which helps us with the way we want to play.
“Ruan Nortje is settled, and the other Ruan [Venter] from the Lions we have tried at lock.
“The COVID era robbed us of three years of bringing players through Craven Week and the junior structures.
“We are looking at other options, including Ribbans.
“It doesn’t mean they are in the Springbok mix, but if you look at succession planning, we will have to make some big calls somewhere down the line in certain positions.”
Other second row options include Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager, Jason Jenkins and Cobus Wiese, with Pieter-Steph du Toit having helped out as well.
“In 2019, we had just two scrumhalves; now we have six scrumhalves.”
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