It was just more than a year ago that the Springbok management defended their decision to m18 changes to a side that beat Wales in the first test, a decision which many thought had backfired when they handed Wales their first ever win in South Africa in Bloemfontein.
But with a World Cup looming, and a four year period that was disrupted by Covid - where the Boks lost an entire calendar year of test rugby - and a British and Irish Lions tour which stopped player development, Jacques Nienaber’s side will head into France 2023 feeling satisfied that they have ticked just about every box in terms of presenting the strongest side they could in the defence of their World Cup title.
Injuries aside - and Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager would have likely been in Corsica now preparing for France - but the 33 man squad that will head to defend the title is as good as any Springbok coach could hope for.
The Boks now boast momentum, and a depth that few sides worldwide can produce, especially as debates are now starting about how little difference there is between first and second choice players in the team.
While the massive wins over New Zealand and Wales have given them confidence for the toughest of draws, the Boks sit with riches of talent that they will need to carefully blend to get the best out of players during their “pool of death” and beyond.
It goes without saying talent alone will not win a World Cup, but rather talent mixed with a bit of luck, calm heads under pressure and good decision-making.
But on the evidence of the past few weeks, there will be few who will argue that the Boks don’t have this mixture at the right time before the tournament.
NO MORE DIRT TRACKERS
The Bloemfontein experiment may have lost a test match but the Boks have given the entire squad the luxury of being able to pick any member of the squad without fear that it may weaken the side significantly.
Along with this, the core elements of the Bok attack - their setpiece, physicality and lineout - are in top form while the last few years has seen them hone a more attacking game plan with players who are more in tune to unlocking defensive systems.
And if we look at the options that Nienaber has to his disposal, there are few places where any player is an absolute starting option.
The added bonus of having succeeded with a nuclear squad - as opposed to the bomb squad - has caused debates up north about whether the substitution rule should be altered. This was the case after the Boks won the World Cup in 2019 by using a 6-2 split, but the pearl clutching up north with the audacity to use a 7-1 split has certainly been a bit overboard.
ANY FRONT ROW WILL DO
The Boks have already established that they can interchange their front rows without blinking an eye. It has become a common occurrence to see a full front row exchanged somewhere early in the second half. And even the fifth prop option - the swinger as the team calls them - can slot in anywhere without letting the team down.
At lock the loss of De Jager may have been a massive blow at the time, but the timely return to test rugby for Jean Kleyn and the added bonus of both Franco Mostert and superathlete RG Snyman’s form means the Boks are spoilt for riches in this department. While Kleyn is a four lock, the Boks have the luxury of several options - including the bench option of the Munster duo as they did against the All Blacks to up the ante when they bring on the reserves.
KOLISI, DU TOIT ARE CERTAINTIES
Pieter-Steph du Toit made a whopping 16 tackles against the All Blacks last Friday and combined with the leadership of Siya Kolisi, are possibly the only two positions in the pack that can be seen as certainties.
Duane Vermeulen may have the inside line at No 8 but the Boks have shown they can also use Jasper Wiese, Deon Fourie (who doubles as the third hooker) and Marco van Staden in roles as well when needed. Kwagga Smith offers the swiss army knife option of being able to slot in at any role.
Flyhalf may still be the only place that there is a bit of concern, but Manie Libbok is settling in well into the position and by all accounts, if the Boks pick up an injury, then Handre Pollard is waiting for a call-up to cover such an eventuality.
The four halfbacks all have different attributes, but all can be employed during the World Cup in any given role and the Boks will mix and match according to the opposition and the key attacking points of all four.
Andre Esterhuizen’s rise in form has put Damian de Allende under pressure, while Jesse Kriel’s good form at 13 has settled the nerves. Canan Moodie’s new-found role at outside centre gives the Boks options in the absence of Am while the wings have an overflow of talent - so much so that it feels wrong to just play two on the field.
Damian Willemse is fast rising as a challenger to Willie le Roux and both offer different attacking options, giving the Boks the luxury of choosing which will suit their attack.
EYE ON 2027
After the Bloemfontein test match Nienaber quipped to me that part of the reason for the 18 changes was “because we’re not just looking at this World Cup, but at the next as well.”
France 2023 may be a week away and the moment of truth is upon them. But the Boks will be content that the squad they have can face down any challenge. And are adaptable enough to face the rigors of an eight week tournament.
A fierce setpiece, physicality and a kicking game was always a strong point. Depth and flair on attack has been added.
Composure and luck will determine the outcome, but at this moment, the Boks are pretty content where they sit at the moment.
