The Test series against Ireland is on the line for the Springboks on Saturday. Rugby writer Wynona Louw looks at what the 15 individuals in the Bok starting team must do to whip the Irish.
15 Willie le Roux
Remember that basic passing drill you did in primary school where your coach told you to “aim at the receiver’s chest when passing”? Well that’s all I want him to keep in mind this weekend. When kicking is the right option, he should try to find touch or at least get the ball safely into space and not kick straight down the throats of the Irish. Oh yes, and he should remember that you only gain metres running forward, not sideways.
14 Ruan Combrinck
No advice needed here. More of the same please!
13 Lionel Mapoe
He should get involved. I know he might not get as much ball as he’d like playing outside Damian, but I’m dying to see those thrilling runs and effortless offloads again. His ability to break defensive lines needs to be put on show in PE so he can a) put Combrinck (or whoever) into space to work their magic, or b) finish it himself with his flying pace.
12 Damian de Allende
I want to see some more of that “chippie from touch” inventiveness. I want to see him continue his rugged runs and carrying. But the ball can also be passed! He needs to create opportunities for his outside men. And another try or two won’t go unappreciated ...
11 JP Pietersen
He made a few appearances in play the last two weeks, but this week he needs to do more. He needs to get involved. Jantjies needs to know that his brilliant, unanticipated little pushes off the boot will find hands and hopefully result in points. He needs to try and keep the ball alive and avoid the urge to halt momentum by taking contact.
10 Elton Jantjies
Just come out of your shell and share the magic, Jantjies. Not in the second half, but when Glen Jackson blows the whistle for kickoff. Those Lions performances he produced so consistently should be fully showcased in the Test arena.
9 Faf de Klerk
Even if Ireland slow their ball down or make ruck time a problem, I want to see that snappy work and that all-over-the-place kind of energy again.
8 Warren Whiteley
Remember that performance last week? I want to see his massive work-rate on attack and defence, more of those carries, some physicality and more stepping won’t be frowned upon. He should link the forwards and the backs as he does so well. His flair is what the Boks need, so give us some of that flair, flair, flair!
7 Siya Kolisi
Quit the upright ball-carrying and hold on to the ball. He should make the Irish work hard to get the ball off him for a change. And where is that nifty footwork Siyamthanda! (I mean, that was you that stepped Jantjies at Ellis Park, wasn’t it?).
6 Francois Louw
I considered attaching a list with his responsibilities to this one, because he clearly didn’t get the memo in his last two attempts. Yes, he’s a fetcher, but the role entails much more than just scavenging for the ball (something I’d also like to see from him more than once in a game). He just needs to get stuck in there. Protect his ball. Show what a great ball-carrier and defender he actually is. Please.
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit
As with Combrinck, not much needed here. Just keep on doing the good stuff.
4 Eben Etzebeth
He used to be a lineout menace and a fearsome ball-carrier - and he needs to get back into that at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. He should make more tackles and let Ireland know that they can forget about getting the ball when he has it tucked under his bulging bicep.
3 Frans Malherbe
I don’t know if I have enough space for this one. To start with, he needs to stop conceding penalties and ENTERING THROUGH THE GATE would be a good start. Pull his weight at scrum time and be kind enough to make at least one appearance in loose play.
2 Adriaan Strauss
Don’t lose the ball in crucial attacking situations. Add some grunt at the breakdowns. Most important, be our Churchill!
1 Tendai Mtawarira
What does it help if the crowd shouts “Beeeeaaaast” and the man himself just goes to ground? Hold on to the ball and gain some ground. Be a king in the scrums.
Cape Argus