Some very interesting developments in the Springbok squad. I doubt anybody really understands what is going on in Heyneke’s mind at the moment. There are several questions, but before I discuss them I would like to point out several things.
It’s HM’s job to make sure that the Springboks win every game and always play top quality rugby. Sacrificing games for a World Cup that is essentially a lottery is the strategy of weak “underdog” teams. Nevertheless, he is expected to win the World Cup. In the mean time he has to ensure that youngsters are developed, coached and exposed to international level rugby on a continuous basis. This must be done while rewarding form, maintaining continuity and cultivating experience. It’s NOT HM’s job to rest players.
These jobs obviously contradict one another. Balancing these goals is the hardest part of the job and how well the balance is maintained will ultimately determine HM’s legacy.
It is with these concepts in mind that we should consider the selection of the squad. It is very unlikely that Scarra will see the match day squad unless someone gets injured. But, it is not a bad idea to get the guy training with the team. If he “clicks” then maybe he will be invited back next year. Similarly with other new additions.
On the topic of Bakkies and Jacque Fourie. I doubt either one will make the 2015 WC. Specifically, I doubt that Jacque will be competitive much longer, with age reducing speed. I also doubt the wisdom of reverting to the Pieter de Villiers backline. While HM is obviously a better coach, I don’t think that age will have made the backline more dangerous. It was the addition of Willie and JJ along with a change in style from Morne that lead to the attacking play we saw this year. I do think that JJ is going to benefit from the mentoring of Jacque Fourie, especially when it comes to organising the defence. So it was probably a good choice, if only from a mentoring perspective.
Bakkies is a better choice. The role of the strong man in the ruck and maul is less reliant on the pace of youth and he has been playing really well in Europe. The other point is that we are a little thin in the lock department whereas we are overflowing with centres. Yes, PS du Doit is a great find, but he is young, also in the squad, and could do worse than to receive some mentoring from Bakkies. And what happens if Eben pulls a hammie? Again, I doubt that Bakkies will make the WC, but it’s great to have him in the squad for this tour.
The other great talking point is Louis Schreuder. I can’t say that I am a fan, but I doubt he will get to play so it matters little. HM has worked with Hougaard, Vermaak and van Zyl. None of these guys seemed to have made much of an impact. I guess he is taking Louis along so he can take a closer look at the guy. Scrumhalf is clearly a troubling spot for the Springboks. Reinach is currently on everyone’s minds, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer. If he plays well in Super Rugby he is sure to get a call up next year. And we don’t need Kockott, we already have one Ruan Pienaar.
The surprise exclusions are Schalk and Frans Steyn. I guess that HM feels that they need more game time and he already knows what they have to offer. A guy like Goosen is back in the squad directly from injury, not because he will play necessarily, but because HM needs him to mature quicker. Schalk won’t gain much from training with the team and sitting on the sideline, but Goosen might. And in the mean time it’s better to have youngsters like Kolisi and Marcell benefiting from the coaching. I think that if Frans Steyn plays well next year, he will replace Kirchner, but Zane did enough this year not to lose his spot to someone with barely a Curry Cup game behind his name this year.
So, in summary, there are plenty of youngsters in the side. In the difficult positions where the team has been a little thin, senior experienced players were brought in to help mentor the youngsters and add a little heft. Continuity is being maintained and the team was selected to win the games on tour, but there are clearly long term plans as well.
Ultimately, the squad is a good one and it can’t really be faulted. Whether the match day squads and player rotation policy will show equal wisdom is left to be seen.
