While based on their performances in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the selections that rewarded form in the competition many may be looking forward to a lot of new talent being blooded for the Springboks in their three-test series against Wales, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has cautioned on expecting too much.
Nienaber has been under pressure in the last year from fans who have expected more young players to be blooded ahead of the World Cup but stuck single-mindedly to the task of preparing the top players with few opportunities available for young players.
And while one or two may sneak into the frame with injuries, he has made it clear that a number of them are only likely to play in the SA A games that are scheduled for the same time as the Springboks’ November tour.
“We have a plan with the players. We have hopefully three SA A games coming up in November which would give us a great opportunity to expand and be a bit creative in terms of team selection. We have a plan worked out for the year, where we would like to play players, but that plan can change quickly depending on results and on injuries,” Nienaber said.
“You might think one player might only play at the end of the year in the SA A game, but if you pick up two injuries in a position quickly, then the player may start in test matches. That will always be something we will monitor and that will always be the balancing act.
“As I mentioned before, if you represent your country, you represent a brand that is over 100 years old and you have a responsibility towards that. Our responsibility is to perform and make our country proud as Springboks.
“If there is an opportunity to maybe expose players to the highest level of international rugby, then we will take that opportunity but it will be determined by injuries and by momentum that we build.”
'IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT’
And while there have been several stars who excelled in the URC final this past weekend, Nienaber said while it was possibly the closest to test rugby that players could experience, there was still another step up to be made.
“The common denominator in all those finals was physical intensity. I don’t want to go too much into the stats, we follow them closely but there was a physical intensity in all three those matches. There is also a massive tactical battle and a battle for territory and a battle to put the other team under pressure. That was a constant in all those games and that is why we can say it is nice if our players can play in big games like that, because finals are probably the closest to international rugby that there is.
“Moving up from big finals like that into international competition is a different game. It is a different game playing internationally because obviously you are playing for your country and if you don’t get the desired result, your country loses. There is a lot at stake.
“I’m not saying there is not a lot at stake when you play in the URC but a Stormers’ fan is a Stormers fan. But when you play for South Africa, it is 50-60 million people that you represent. What you play for is just a lot bigger when you represent your country.”
And while many may be hoping their favourite player makes the grade, the reality is the Springboks are number one in the world currently, and operating from an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality has gotten them this far.
Some players may have to wait a little longer before pulling on the Green and Gold.