Don’t be fooled by the inclusion of several form players in a Springbok training squad because most of those who haven’t been part of Heyneke Meyer’s group for the last three years won’t go to the World Cup.
Meyer has spent his time in charge of the Boks developing a group he believes is good enough to go all the way in England in September and October – and he’s not likely to change that group or his thinking now. The players who’ve represented the Boks over the last 36 months will be the same men who go to the World Cup.
While Meyer has rewarded certain players with a training squad “call-up” – many of them in excellent form for their Super Rugby franchises – and given them a boost of confidence, there really are only a handful of positions where new players could get a look-in when the final 31-man squad is named at the end of August.
Current form won’t count for much when Meyer makes his picks – it’s just the way it is – even though many players on the fringes of the squad may be in better form than the players considered certainties. We also have to remember that even though Meyer’s first choice picks may not be in the greatest form now, when they come together and unite as a Bok team they’ll always be a force in the world game; whether that team is good enough to win the Webb Ellis trophy is another matter.
But there are some players who’ve yet to play for the Boks who are making it very difficult for Meyer to ignore them.
The Bok boss needs a second fullback and Jesse Kriel is pushing hard to be that man, while in midfield Lionel Mapoe could get a look-in because of his versatility of being able to play in both centre positions and on the wing.
Scrumhalf is still a major concern. Meyer is banking heavily on Fourie du Preez being fit and in the form that made him the best in the world a few years ago, but there will have to be quality back-up for the veteran. Is Ruan Pienaar still second in line or will Meyer opt for Cobus Reinach or the uncapped Rudy Paige or Faf de Klerk? It’ll be an interesting point of debate whatever Meyer decides.
And then there are the loose-forwards. There are just so many quality back row players, many of whom can’t even make a 44-man training squad. The biggest call of all will be the back-up No8 for Duane Vermeulen – will it be Pierre Spies or Warren Whiteley. It’s a toughie!
A group of young props are also pushing hard for selection, among them Vincent Koch, while Scarra Ntubeni looks to be in line to be third choice hooker ... right now though he’s probably the best of the lot.
So, while Meyer has cast his net wide at this stage, expect few surprises when the final World Cup squad is named. - The Star