Possibly the best example of how good a space Springbok rugby is currently in came on Sunday with the news that frontline scrumhalf Faf de Klerk could only return to the national side next year as his injury complications seem to have worsened.
Normally that would be a mini crisis for the national team, but after the perfect start to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, a lead at the top of the standings and all 33 players on tour being included in the two games, coach Rassie Erasmus currently sits with such an embarrassment of riches when it comes to depth that De Klerk’s injury may not even raise an eyebrow.
The #Springboks will "keep their feet on the ground" as they shift their focus to the two Tests against the All Blacks - more here: https://t.co/78e4zFXck9 🔭#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/WYWEDNH6K8
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 18, 2024
The double World Cup winner has a thigh injury and as Rapport newspaper put it on Sunday morning, may only be back at the Boks in 2025. De Klerk, alongside the likes of Franco Mostert, Damian Willemse and Lood de Jager are all on the injury list when the Boks return home to face the All Blacks.
But the good news is that the likes of Jasper Wiese and Andre Esterhuizen both will be back from suspension, while Canan Moodie, Steven Kitshoff and Jaden Hendrikse have all played their way back into fitness for the Boks ahead of the double dose of All Black showdowns in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
This news, alongside the fact that the gamble to make 11 changes to a side that was victorious in Brisbane, and still come away with a solid victory in trying conditions in Perth means everything in Erasmus’ plan seems to be clicking into place at the right time.
DRICUS DOUBLE
The Boks, however, will know that the double win against the No 9 team in the world doesn’t account for much - but it did bury some ghosts of past visits down under and along with Dricus du Plessis’ awesome victory on Sunday (with Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi behind him), Perthfontein could very much in future become a home ground fortress for the Boks.
The lessons that the Boks learnt will be very much remembered ahead of their visit in 2027 to defend their World Cup title, and a number of newbies have been given a chance to cement their places in the team.
While there were nerves and mistakes, and the weather certainly played more than its part, the Boks will be more than happy at everything they learnt while in Australia. Erasmus and co will know a lot more about the future prospects of Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Johan Grobbelaar, of Ruan Nortje at lock and Salmaan Moerat’s leadership, and of Morne van den Berg at the back of the scrum.
Elrigh Louw looked more than solid again at eight and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was far from perfect, but stood his ground as his channel was attacked by the Wallabies.
WARRIOR FACTOR
While individual performances will be analysed, the Bok management will be more looking for bravery in adversity, and how the Bok defence stood up when Australia had the ball. The fact that the Wallabies didn’t look close to scoring a try will be a key factor here, and players are often judged - as Erasmus likes to call it - on their ‘warrior factor’.
The impressive first half from the All Blacks and overall victory to bounce back at Eden Park won’t be underestimated. While some were crowing about the Boks already having sewn up the Rugby Championship title last week, the reality is that - other than Ireland at the moment - the All Blacks remain the litmus test for the Springboks.
But while there was relief and smiles all around Scott Robertson’s camp as they bounced back from their horror defeat to the Pumas in Wellington, the Boks won’t underestimate their opposition in any respect.
The history and aura around both sides means both games will be massive, and they will be close, but the Boks will go in with the knowledge that they have a lot of depth that can step in at a moment’s notice under any circumstances.
MORE CAPS IN LINE-UP?
We can expect the Boks to revert back to their most experienced line-up for both tests, but those players who take the field will know that there are now players breathing down their necks for starting places.
Those, along with the four who return from injury, will make the selection a bit more complex, a bit more of a debate than it has been over the past four years.
After all, the Boks are now, more than ever, a side in transition, and it wouldn’t surprise one bit if there was a bolter or two for the All Black tests.
Expect the debate to be about seven-one benches and World Cup “revenge” from the Kiwis’ side, and about selection matters from the other.
But if there is one thing that shows how much this side has grown, it is that Faf de Klerk’s injury, which remains a setback, won’t be a massive talking point.
Full of confidence, the anticipation of facing the old enemy will be front and centre.
Perth has given the Boks some breathing space in the long run, but they know the real test awaits in Joburg and Cape Town.