The Springboks need to look to the future, and that is why the selection for the Wellington test match is exciting.
The new look backline and the rejigged forward pack is an interesting selection and caught not only Bok pundits and supporters off guard, but also the opposition as well.
No Eben Etzebeth. No Jesse Kriel and no Damian de Allende. Those names synonymous with Bok teams over the past decade aren’t there and have been replaced by a number of young upstarts.
Rotation was necessary and if you hear former Bok No 8 and current assistant coach Duane Vermeulen call it, it is with one eye on the 2027 World Cup.
“The thing is, you can’t play Eben every single game; the guy is going to burn out, and we still want him to play for a couple of years,” Vermeulen said from the team camp in Wellington.
Vermeulen said to do without the bulk of Etzebeth against the world No 1 side is a big test for the Boks.
ROTATION NEEDED
“We need that little bit of rotation. We have RG on the bench, and those guys - both Ruan and Lood (Nortje and De Jager) have played big, important matches. Last year, when we were a couple of locks down, Ruan got the opportunity, and he really did well.
“Obviously, it looks pretty weird if you have two five locks in your pack, but they play their part and they know exactly what they want to do and where they want to go about their game. It’ll be a good challenge to see if the guys can make a step up and work without Eben.”
Vermeulen also shut down criticism of the breakdown at Eden Park, challenging a question with one of his own. “Do you know the number of breakdown turnovers they got?
“It was two poaches and maybe one counter ruck. If you look at a test rugby match, which goes 80 minutes, I don’t really think it’s a massive talking point.
“Obviously, we try to put pressure on our opposition as well. Yes, they’ve done a couple of things, but it’s not exposing us in a way; the focus will always be there, but our overall game is probably the biggest talking point. We can’t go into specifics.”
WIESE BACK
With Jasper Wiese back, the loose trio has a more settled look and Wiese as a big ball-carrying forward is key to the Boks front foot ball.
“It’s great to have Jasper back in the mix. He is one of the guys who really gives us go-forward ball,” Vermeulen added.
“We are looking forward to what he can bring to the game. Obviously, we have a good pack, and he will need to be the link to this exciting backline that we have picked. I’m looking forward to what he brings to the party, and it’s great to have him back.”
The All Blacks will name their squad for the match on Thursday.