The tough selection decisions Nienaber must make
REACTION: Coach Jacques Nienaber admitted he has some ‘tough decisions’ to make before naming South Africa’s World Cup squad on Tuesday.
Nienaber will unveil the 33 Springboks – and five stand-by players – at a function in Johannesburg.
However, the process got a bit more testy after some fringe players produced ‘pick me’ performances in a 24-13 win over Argentina at Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires at the weekend.
It was the eighth consecutive win for the reigning world champions over Los Pumas, and the match took a decisive turn soon after half-time.
Despite being a man short after the yellow-carding of flank Franco Mostert, wings Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie scored tries within four minutes.
The scores transformed a 3-10 half-time deficit into a five-point lead, and as ill-discipline spread among the near full-strength Pumas, flyhalf Manie Libbok slotted three penalties.
South Africa demonstrated their strength in depth with just two of the starting side likely to start their World Cup opener against Scotland next month.
Nienaber described it as an ‘exceptional’ performance.
However, the focus in the immediate aftermath switched to Tuesday’s squad announcement.
* (Continue below …)
#⃣OPINION: @King365ed rates the @Springboks players after their 24-13 win over @lospumas in #BuenosAires on #Saturday 🏅#Rugby🏉#RugbyUnion 🌏#ARGvsRSA 🇦🇷V🇿🇦
🔗https://t.co/RknN76v9IP pic.twitter.com/lir2jTa0Ck— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 5, 2023
Stand-in captain Bongi Mbonambi said a number of players put their hands up in Buenos Aires – showing they want to be selected in the World Cup squad and making it tough for the coach.
Nienaber admitted it will be a ‘very difficult’ selection meeting ahead of Tuesday.
“Many players put their hands up,” he said in a virtual media briefing from Buenos Aires, adding that all the players in the squad showed their desire to make the trip to the World Cup in France.
Top of the list of players who busted the selection door down is wing Canan Moodie – with his run metres into triple digits, three linebreaks, four defenders beaten and a crucial try in the second half.
While Kurt-Lee Arendse may appear to have had the edge as an additional outside back, Moodie made sure the debate will be a lot more vigorous now.
Andre Esterhuizen, with some powerful runs and several big hits on defence, ensured the midfield deliberation will also last a while.
Jean Kleyn, with his impressive workload, ensured the second row conversation will stretch well beyond Eben Etzebeth, Lodewyk de Jager, and Rudolph Snyman.
For Nienaber, the other big positive was that he managed to give 38 members of the wider training squad of 42 game time in the four Tests this year.
Once the World Cup squad is confirmed, they will focus on the two remaining warm-up matches – against Wales in Cardiff on August 19 and the All Blacks at Twickenham on August 25.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
