Now that the Springboks will be asked to have a full front row on the replacements bench – in a matchday squad of 23, as opposed to the usual 22 – coach Heyneke Meyer will no doubt select up to six props in his squad of 32 for next month’s tour to Europe.
Meyer will name his tour party tomorrow, after today’s Currie Cup final involving the Sharks and Western Province, and he’ll be praying no more key players go down with injury in the match in Durban.
Already Meyer has to do without key players Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Steyn, Johan Goosen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg, Jacques Potgieter, Pierre Spies and Siya Kolisi – all players selected to play for the Boks this season, but unavailable for the Tests against Ireland, Scotland and England because of injury.
Furthermore, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Brits and Juan Smith are also still on the injured list, while several overseas-based players are not available.
The only bit of good news for Meyer ahead of what will be a pressure-filled trip is the return to action in recent weeks and the availability again of JP Pietersen and Chiliboy Ralepelle.
With the International Rugby Board experimenting with the number of replacements going up from seven to eight, with a specialist tighthead, loosehead and hooker now required on the bench, Meyer will have to cast his net wide. It will mean up to six props go on tour, which could open the door for Lions’ captain JC Janse van Rensburg to get a call-up for the first time, while Frans Malherbe, the young Western Province tighthead who’s been so impressive this season, might also get the nod.
And at hooker, with Du Plessis and Liebenberg out, Adriaan Strauss will continue as first choice with Craig Burden and a returning Ralepelle acting as back-up. However, there may be a surprise call-up for Saracens-based former Lions and Western Province hooker, Schalk Brits.
Another Lions player, lock Franco van der Merwe, could also go on tour in place of the injured Bekker, while Bulls youngster Arno Botha could be a surprise selection among the loose forwards. There could also be a recall for Keegan Daniel.
The backs will pretty much be the same as those who did duty against New Zealand and Australia recently, but scrumhalf Jano Vermaak may be added to the tour party, while Lionel Mapoe could become another Lions player to earn a spot in the squad. Pietersen, should he get through today’s Currie Cup final, will also significantly boost the back division.
The much-maligned Morné Steyn is set to tour as well, but Meyer will probably look to Elton Jantjies and Pat Lambie to wear the No 10 jersey in the Tests.
And while many would like to see young Cheetahs back Raymond Rhule in the squad, it is unlikely he will be picked.
It is understood that Meyer first wants to see him play Super Rugby and the Boks are well covered at centre and wing anyway, especially with Pietersen returning and Mapoe likely to go on tour.
The Bok squad will gather in Cape Town on Wednesday for pre-tour training and depart for Dublin on Saturday.
Possible squad:
Forwards: Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel, Arno Botha, Eben Etzebeth, Flip van der Merwe, Juandre Kruger, Franco van der Merwe, Jannie du Plessis, Pat Cilliers, CJ van der Linde, Beast Mtawarira, JC Janse van Rensburg, Adriaan Strauss, Craig Burden, Chiliboy Ralepelle
Backs: Zane Kirchner, Pat Lambie, Francois Hougaard, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Lwazi Mvovo, Lionel Mapoe, Jean de Villiers (capt), Juan de Jongh, Jaco Taute, Morne Steyn, Elton Jantjies, Jano Vermaak, Ruan Pienaar