When Heyneke Meyer said “it will be very difficult to pick a World Cup squad” he wasn’t just saying it to keep his players’ spirits up. He meant every word of it, and following the Springboks’ strong finish to this year’s Rugby Championship, he’s damn right.
Try pick a squad of 30 players that could represent South Africa in England next year and see how easy it is. It’s not; it’s one helluva tough task.
Meyer made the statement after the Boks’ win against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday and, considering he has just eight Tests to go before the World Cup, you realise it’s really around the corner. But if a year ago Meyer had a good idea who he wanted to take to that tournament he’s probably a little less sure now.
Because if there’s one thing the Rugby Championship has done, it’s improve the Boks’ depth, even if Meyer had to struggle for much of it because of injuries to key players. He’ll silently be thanking the rugby gods he was forced to pick certain players who’d otherwise not have had a chance to prove they’re up to the level required for a spot in a World Cup squad.
Injuries and the non-availability of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Pierre Spies, Arno Botha, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie and Willem Alberts – all Meyer favourites – and the fact JP Pietersen and Schalk Burger only played on two occasions, forced Meyer to look at a number of other players during the competition. And how these players stuck up their hands.
Francois Hougaard got much-needed game time and performed well enough at scrumhalf to suggest he may be Du Preez’s mack-up next year. Cobus Reinach also excited in his two appearances off the bench.
Handré Pollard though was the big winner in the last eight weeks. Meyer backed him and the player responded. And, the re-emergence of Pat Lambie means the Boks have a fresh, exciting duo battling it out at No 10. Jan Serfontein, too, grabbed his chance. His strong showing at outside centre may mean someone like Fourie doesn’t even get into a World Cup squad. The other options are JP Pietersen and Damian de Allende, a player with huge potential, while both cover more than one position.
The other major find of the year is Cornal Hendricks. Not all that well known outside of the Sevens fold, the wing became a real force out wide, and must now be considered the first choice in the position. Heck, even Pietersen has to stand aside for the tall winger.
The injuries suffered by the established flanks – Francois Louw and Willem Alberts – allowed Marcell Coetzee to come through and basically knock down the door. He’s always been in the mix, but battled to break into the team, but now may find himself ahead of Alberts in the pecking order.
Teboho Mohoje also showed he can mix it up at this level, while Warren Whiteley got a chance and will almost surely be a big part of the Boks after next year’s World Cup.
Lood de Jager, Marcel van der Merwe and Trevor Nyakane were all part of the June series against Wales and Scotland, but performed adequately enough in the Rugby Championship to also be in the running for World Cup spots.
Meyer’s got no problem with the talent at his disposal – there’s genuine class and depth in most areas now – it’s more a case of nailing it down to the best 30 for the World Cup. And that won’t be easy. - The Star