With one full season remaining before the Springboks attempt to defend their title at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the SA Rugby magazine team debates which player is most critical to the cause.
Oliver Keohane says: PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT
Du Toit does not need to be absent from a team for one to understand his value because his individual presence is so strong in every performance. But what his absence from the Springbok team in 2021 did show was how integral he is in a broader context.
The Bomb Squad has been at the heart of South Africa’s success under Rassie Erasmus and Du Toit’s versatility is what allows the Boks to run with a 6-2 split on the bench.
Of course, one could make a case for his value in just pointing to the fact that he won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2019 and, before injury in the first half of the second Test of the British & Irish Lions series, he was the best loose forward in the world. But, what was glaringly obvious was how unique Du Toit’s abilities are in terms of influencing a team sheet.
It is incredible, given the circumstances, that the Springboks managed to win the Lions series and beat the All Blacks on the Gold Coast. But, they also suffered two losses to Australia and a heartbreaking defeat by England on the end-of-year tour.
In both cases, Du Toit may have been the difference. In Du Toit’s absence, Franco Mostert’s role changed entirely, and instead of being able to come off the bench as a replacement lock, or move from lock out to flank later on in games, he had to fill Du Toit’s No 7 jersey.
The result was a Bok bench with three specialist loose forwards to face Australia, and Mostert moving to lock after a taxing shift on the flank to cover for Marvin Orie.
The Boks lost 28-26 and a week later – with Lood de Jager back in place of Orie – lost 30-17, with the same three loose forwards on the bench.
Du Toit’s ability to float between lock and flank, while still remaining one of the best players in the world, allows a little wiggle room in terms of picking Deon Fourie and Kwagga Smith to perform a specific role.
Devin Hermanus says: HANDRE POLLARD
Playing without a top-tier player, especially one who is the best in their position … well, that is the time when most teams see their hopes go down the drain.
That’s why Pollard is indispensable to the Springboks because, should he be out of commission, quality replacement South African flyhalves are few and far between for coach Jacques Nienaber.
Elton Jantjies is the most experienced but, like Pollard at Montpellier in 2022, the Japan-based pivot has barely played this season due to injury.
There remain reservations about whether the 41-cap Jantjies is even good enough for international rugby, or if he is a natural fit for the Boks’ system.
Previously tipped as the heir to Pollard’s throne, Damian Willemse now looks better suited as Damian de Allende’s successor at inside centre, while the Boks squeezed the last match-winning kick out of 37-year-old Morne Steyn in the 2021 Lions series.
Curwin Bosch was considered a mint talent when he arrived at the Sharks, but hasn’t added to his two Test caps since 2018, or shown the fighting edge to his game to warrant a recall.
Jordan Hendrikse has the makings of a top playmaker, but needs a full season of professional rugby under his belt before being thrown into the Test arena.
Manie Libbok has shot the lights out for the Stormers in the URC, and offers a solid goal-kicking and playmaking option, yet didn’t crack a nod for Nienaber’s two national alignment camps before the July series against Wales.
Johan Goosen attended, though, and adding him to the Bok squad will light a fire under Pollard and put everyone else on notice that staying at the top requires a higher standard of performance than is required to get there. However, the 13-cap Goosen has been sidelined since the end of 2021, and even Nienaber has questioned his desire to continue playing for his country.
A veteran in the team room and a leader in support of Siya Kolisi, Pollard has won a World Cup and tamed the Lions, and his place in the Bok set-up is vital.
