­
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER

SA Rugby magazine

South African rugby news, interviews, videos and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER
You are here: Home ∼ Bok selection shake-up a good thing

Bok selection shake-up a good thing

The Boks set a maul at the World Cup Bok selection shake-up a good thing
Published on October 2, 2019

Rassie Erasmus’ bold selections this week should serve as a timely reminder that long-serving ‘first-choice’ players cannot rest on their laurels, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Malcolm Marx dropped to the bench for the Boks’ must-win penultimate World Cup pool game? Yup, you better believe it. Some 12 months ago such a decision would have been virtually unthinkable, and yet the reaction to this move has been pretty muted since Tuesday’s team announcement.

Down to the subs bench go Franco Mostert and Steven Kitshoff, too. Since September 2018, the Boks’ flame-haired loosehead prop has started as many as 10 Tests, while lanky Mostert has been just as much a 1st XV regular (11 starts last year).

Erasmus has said their demotions to the bench – and the subsequent elevations of Bongi Mbonambi, Beast Mtawarira and Lood de Jager – are predominantly based on a horses-for-courses selection ahead of a clash with Italy that the Boks are expecting to be fiercely contested up front.

That’s all fine and well, but don’t underestimate the significance of these decisions.

For some time, Marx has been struggling to impose himself in quite the same manner that we have become so accustomed to seeing from the 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee.

Conversely, Mbonambi has shown some serious form – ditto for Mtawarira and De Jager – and they have been duly rewarded.

COLUMN: Boks seriously locked and loaded 

It should echo a warning of sorts for other big-name players who have yet to truly fire on all cylinders in 2019.

In this context, one could think of Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux and even Siya Kolisi (largely as a result of an expedited return from injury).

Over the course of this year’s Rugby Championship and indeed the start of the World Cup, Erasmus has expertly built serious depth in this Bok squad.

The Springboks won’t lose anything at all through the introduction of Mbonambi, Mtawarira and De Jager to the starting lineup this Friday.

Similarly, Vincent Koch could step in for Malherbe down the line. RG Snyman would seize an opportunity to start at No 4. What about Herschel Jantjies or Cobus Reinach at No 9?

Cheslin Kolbe could feasibly move to fullback, and open up a berth on the right wing for powerful S’bu Nkosi to return to the starting lineup.

One can’t imagine a scenario where Kolisi wouldn’t be an automatic selection at this World Cup, but we can’t forget that Francois Louw and Kwagga Smith are more than capable openside options.

Even before the tournament kicked off, Erasmus made it very clear that he would back in-form players to start during the knockout phase. Players will not be picked on reputation.

It’s high time influential performers such as Etzebeth, De Klerk and Le Roux send out a reminder as to just why they are deserving of a first-choice berth, and the clash with Italy provides the perfect opportunity to do just that.

ALSO READ: Kriel injury a blow to Bok depth

Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Posted in Columns, Craig Lewis, Springboks, Teams, Top headlines, Tournaments, Uncategorized, World Cup Tagged Springboks

Post by Craig Lewis

Craig Lewis

Check out Blackout Rugby Manager HERE!

← Previous Next →

Sevens’ party falls flat

World Rugby shouldn’t have messed with a winning sevens formula, writes SIMON...

Draining format clogs Blitzboks’ blockage

A protracted schedule took the wind out of South Africa's sails at...

England cut Eddie, Razor to stop the bleeding

England have made the rash decision to part ways with coach Eddie...

Rassie ref hom in die rooi

Rassie Erasmus is hardly the embarrassment that some are making him out...

Cut and paste Kurt-Lee for Kolbe

Kurt-Lee Arendse ticks all the right boxes to replace the injured Cheslin...

Rassie auditions for England job

Rassie Erasmus has made the most calculated of public job applications to...

Boks need to make mentality adjustment

The Springboks need to lose their underdog mentality, writes SIMNIKIWE XABANISA in...

Kolbe’s worth every penny

Cheslin Kolbe’s big-money move to Toulon should be welcomed as a massive...

‘Bok gameplan, when executed correctly, is hard to match’

The opportunity to play against the All Blacks is a career highlight...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Bonus-point Bulls douse Dragons
  • Munster maul luckless Lions
  • Stormers sign off 2022 in style
  • Sharks carve Bulls on New Year’s Eve

Jacques Burger’s Perfect XV

    BKT United Rugby Championship, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland 8/1/2023 Glasgow Warriors vs DHL Stormers Stormers' Damian Willemse Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Craig Watson
  • Highlights: Heartbreak for Stormers in Glasgow thriller

###


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

African Insider
African Insider News

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup
    • Challenge Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER