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Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Backpagepix

One massive Springbok selection decision facing Rassie Erasmus

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will have a real selection headache in one key position when it comes to picking his first-choice Test team.

by Craig Lewis

21-03-2024 08:29

in Rugby

Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Backpagepix

Excitement is already building ahead of the Springboks’ 2024 Test season, which will start with a clash against Wales in June, and see Rassie Erasmus officially back at the helm as “head coach”.

However, it’s really the two-Test against Ireland in July that will represent the most highly anticipated first match-ups of the year.

Considering that many first-choice players will not be available for the season opener against the Welsh, it’s also the first clash against Ireland that will see Rassie Erasmus truly pick his preferred matchday 23.

Rassie Erasmus has a big call to make when picking the first-choice Springbok side

For the most part, the Springbok coach will be pretty clear on what his first-choice side will look like, and in all honesty, there is very little reason to deviate from the side that played in the 2023 World Cup final.

Since that tournament, Duane Vermeulen has retired, but there is an obvious successor in Jasper Wiese.

The real headache for Erasmus will undoubtedly revolve around who to pick at outside centre.

For so long, Lukhanyo Am was the incumbent at No 13, but a serious injury ruled him out of the start of the Rugby World Cup.

By the time he had recovered and was able to be called up, Jesse Kriel had excelled at outside centre, defying the critics with a host of powerful performances.

Kriel ended the year as one of the Springboks’ unsung heroes, but also with a firm grip on the 13 jersey.

Am, who didn’t end up featuring in a single World Cup game, is now back to full fitness – but he has not always performed with the same spark in an underperforming Sharks side.

Meanwhile, Kriel had to leave his Japan club to return to South Africa for surgery on a hand injury, and he will only return to action in the coming weeks.

It will now be very interesting to see which direction Erasmus goes when selecting who should start against Ireland, with the domestic matches leading up to that game perhaps set to serve as an opportunity for both players to earn that selection.

If Kriel is unable to get much game-time before the start of the Test season, he may end up conceding the starting position back to Am, but the latter also needs to rediscover his best form as soon as possible.

It is a healthy selection headache, but one that Erasmus certainly needs to successfully solve in one of the most crucial positions on the field.