Three SA ‘A’ players with the most to gain 

The Springboks still have a lot of unticked boxes ahead of next year’s World Cup. With good performances for SA ‘A’ this week, these players can solicit invites to help fill up the Test squad’s checkbox.

The season has by no means been a bad one for the Springboks; as a collective there were several good moments, while on the individual front there was also much to saviour.

With that said, it is glaringly obvious that the Springboks [in terms of personnel and game plan] are not the finished product yet. And playing for SA ‘A’ against Munster in Cork this week, these fringe players will have another chance to impress the Springboks bosses in a bid to gain Test selection.

HISTORY LESSON | SOUTH AFRICA HAVE NEVER LOST TO MUNSTER

SA ‘A’ trio with a point to prove:

Johan Goosen (flyhalf)

The flyhalf made his Test debut against Australia in 2012 at the age of 20, but his Springbok career was hampered by injuries and came to an end just four years later in 2016.

A lot has happened in Goosen professional and personal since then — including but not limited to stints abroad, a lawsuit, a retirement and even a shooting incident incident. But Goosen his back in his home country playing for the Bulls, a move that has expedited his recall into the national set-up, albeit with SA ‘A’ for the time being.

The Springboks’ kicking woes and the overall performance of Damian Willemse at flyhalf against Ireland last weekend, has been talk of the town in South Africa. Handre Pollard is a sure bet to be the Springboks’ first-choice No 10 up to and throughout the World Cup. Elton Jantjies seemingly out of the Bok flyhalf conversion and the general believe is that Willemse is more of an inside centre and even a fullback than he is a No 10. So there is every chance that there might be a vacancy opening in the Springboks’ flyhalf ranks soon.

And while there is no shortage of up and coming 10s — think Manie Libbok (set to debut against France this week), Jordan Hendrikse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu — this match serves as the perfect opportunity for Goosen to remind Jacques Nienaber and co of the value he can still add to this Springbok team.

ALSO READ: Munster name side to face SA ‘A’

Joseph Dweba (hooker)

From starting in three Tests earlier this year to being relegated to the SA ‘A’ side, Dweba’s decline has been conspicuous.

Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi are the Springboks’ go-to hookers at the moment. Dweba was given the chance to cement his place as the third hooker in the squad. But poor displays in the losses against the All Blacks at Ellis Park and the Wallabies in Adelaide, have seen been fall down the pecking order behind Deon Fourie.

The 36-year-old Fourie has been included in the squad as utility forward, meaning he will cover both loose forward and hooker.

Dweba’s biggest struggles in recent months have been his lineout throw-ins and his work at the set-piece. This mid-week game against Munster and the second one against Bristol Bears are where Dweba has to show Nienaber that he has made remarkable improvements to his game.

Henco van Wyk (outside centre)

Out of every player on this list, Van Wyk arguable has the biggest case to present in his bid for Test honours. The 21-year-old has been a revelation at outside centre for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship this season.

Lukhanyo Am has changed the game in terms of the quality needed to play outside centre for the Springboks. Not one local franchise has been able to produce a player to challenge Am’s claim on the Springboks’ No 13 jersey. And just as a disclaimer: Van Wyk is nowhere near challenger material for Am yet.

But the 21-year-old is by far the closest to a replica of Am. The bulldozing midfield runs, the deft handling, the breakdown work and most important the watertight marking in defence, Van Wyk has it all.

And now is the time to stake his claim. Am has been ruled for an extended period and these no specialist outside centre in the Springboks fold at the moment. Jesse Kriel, who is primary selected as a utility back, performed excellently at outside centre against Ireland. But at 28 (the same age as Am), he cannot be groomed as the long-term replacement once Am’s time is up.

Of course, there’s a case to be made for Stormers rookie Suleiman Hartzenberg to be Am’s understudy. But as things stand that title belongs to Van Wyk, especially so since he was picked to play outside for SA ‘A’ and Hartzenberg was named on the wing.

It is now up to Van Wyk to convince the national coaches that he is the answer to the question at No 13 when Am is not available.

SA ‘A’ team to face Munster:

SA ‘A’ coach:

Springboks assistant Mzwandile Stick has been given the reins for the composite team,

ALSO READ | 10 THINGS WE’LL HEAR ON THE RUGBY FIELD THIS WEEK!