Fringe players' chance to shine
Columnist Grant Ball says South Africa’s World Cup Pool D match against Namibia on Thursday provides the opportunity for Peter de Villiers to trial combinations and give certain players a run.
De Villiers has stated he won’t play a B team in Thursday’s encounter. He’s also stated his intention of playing his best side throughout the pool games, but four matches in the league stages provides more than enough chances for all 30 squad members to get decent game-time.
There’s no doubt De Villiers will play his best side against Samoa next Friday, so the Namibia fixture is the last chance.
Some would question why change or experiment at all, but for the greater good of the team dynamic, the fringe players need to play. An important aspect of any World Cup-winning campaign is the role of the fringe players, those who carry the tackle bags at training and who watch the majority of the matches from the stands. World Cup-winning coaches have all lauded these players for showing their unwavering support, and games such as this one are when they should be rewarded.
They have to genuinely feel apart of the team, and the way to do that is to play them. If they don’t play against Namibia, some may call it sour grapes if some heads begin to drop. But from the player’s perspective, that would be perfectly understandable. New Zealand isn’t an easy country to tour, and not participating in the matches will play further tricks with the mind. You’re not just dealing with playing machines here, you’re dealing with people. If a player goes to the World Cup and doesn’t play, it’s natural they’d become upset, and that will inevitably affect the team dynamic.
It’s only fair that all 30 guys get a chance to play at the World Cup, and that wouldn’t mean the Boks would send out a weak side.
Gurthrö Steenkamp needs more game time after his injury, while Bismarck du Plessis must start. John Smit has had enough game-time, while CJ van der Linde also needs a start after his injuries – while his versatility means he could still have an important role to play off the bench in bigger games. Bakkies Botha must start to test his Achilles again and see if he can provide more than 40 minutes. If Johann Muller is fit, which will be determined at Tuesday’s practice, he can get a run. Danie Rossouw is also a great option.
Games like this are also chances to experiment for the benefit of the side. Schalk Burger can play No.8 to give the Boks another loose forward option, while Heinrich Brüssow can be rested after the beating his body takes every week at the breakdown. Francois Louw and Willem Alberts should start on the flanks. Burger can also lead the side, testing his leadership skills in a Test.
Fourie du Preez is the one exception to this mantra, simply because he’s so important to the Boks’ chances. Du Preez needs to play as much as possible to return to his best form and rid himself of the much evident rust in his game. With no Bok flyhalves training on Monday (Morné Steyn sick, Butch James sitting out with a hip problem and Pat Lambie a wrist injury), the No.10 jersey could be a possible problem. If fit, I’d start James, while if he isn’t, Ruan Pienaar provides a good alternative.
A rejuvenated Frans Steyn can continue at No.12, while Juan de Jongh requires a start, giving Jaque Fourie a break. Francois Hougaard deserves a start on the wing, while Gio Aplon must play – at either fullback or wing. If Lambie is fit, I’d start Aplon on the wing and Lambie at No.15.
This combination also provides a chance to have a look at James at No.10, Steyn at No.12 and Lambie at the back – a viable scenario for the big matches.
Chiliboy Ralepelle must be the reserve hooker, while Smit could cover tighthead if it’s felt he really has to be a part of the matchday 22. It’s clear De Villiers still feels Smit could end matches at tighthead, so using him as the reserve No.3 is an option.
The win over Fiji was a confidence-booster, and some will feel starting the best side will boost those levels further. But nothing will be learnt from the first-choice side hammering Namibia, while the game provides the perfect opportunity for the entire squad to feel like they’ve contributed in a meaningful way.
That will be an unquantifiable positive to the team dynamic for the remainder of the competition.
My starting XV for Namibia (provided certain players recover from injuries): 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Butch James/Ruan Pienaar, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Johann Muller/Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pierre Spies, 20 Pienaar, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Odwa Ndungane.
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