The Boks have been hit hard by injuries this season, particularly in the loose forward department. They’ve been dealt a further blow with news that several more players will play a limited role on what will be a challenging four-Test sojourn.
Back-rowers of the quality of Warren Whiteley, Duane Vermeulen and Jaco Kriel have been ruled out of the tour due to injuries. SA Rugby recently confirmed that flanker Siya Kolisi will miss the match against Italy due to family commitments, while Bath-based Francois Louw will be unavailable for the tour finale against Wales, as the game in Cardiff falls outside of the Test window.
No 8 Dan du Preez is likely to get a first Test start at some point on this tour. His twin brother Jean-Luc, however, sustained an ankle injury in the recent Currie Cup final in Durban and could miss out altogether. The upshot is that the Boks are likely to start the tour with a new back row combination. They will be forced to adapt again when players like Kolisi and Louw depart later in the tour.
Coetzee said on Sunday that each game on this tour will present a different challenge. Indeed, the Boks will be without a senior player in Louw (54 caps) for that last game against Wales. First-choice fly half Elton Jantjies and lock Franco Mostert will head to Japan to link up with their respective clubs after the game against Italy. The side that fronts Wales in Cardiff will be short on quality and experience.
Jan Serfontein made the No 12 position his own in the series against France this June. Serfontein will be unavailable for the coming tour, though. The centre has been granted leave to settle at his new club Montpellier.
If that wasn’t surprising enough, Coetzee has opted for a group of centres that includes just one specialist No 12, namely Damian de Allende. Frans Steyn, the World Cup-winner who was used by Coetzee as a substitute across the three Tests against France in June, has been omitted. While De Allende is a fine attacking player, he doesn’t boast Serfontein’s ability to organise the defence nor Steyn’s formidable ability to kick out of hand and for goal.
Four uncapped players – namely Dan du Preez, centre Lukhanyo Am and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder (all from the Sharks), as well as Bulls full back Warrick Gelant – will tour with the Boks. Eleven more players in the group of 34 have 10 caps or fewer. Many of the players will be experiencing Test rugby in the northern hemisphere for the first time.
Rising star Curwin Bosch is expected to get some game time at fly half. Bosch made his international debut against Argentina in the Rugby Championship earlier this season. The 20-year-old has impressed with his attacking play as well as his ability to nail long-range place kicks and drop goals.
This much was evident in the recent Currie Cup decider in Durban. Unfortunately, Bosch’s weak defence was also in evidence. As Sharks coach Rob du Preez admitted after the game (which was won 33-21 by Western Province), Bosch has a lot of work to do in that department.
WP produced an influential performance at the scrums and collisions in the Currie Cup final. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi and tighthead prop Wilco Louw were but two of the standouts, and have been rewarded with Bok call-ups ahead of the tour to Europe.
Indeed, the Boks aren’t short on front- and second-row options at present. Veteran loose head Beast Mtawarira missed the recent clash against the All Blacks due to family reasons, but will travel to Europe with the team in the coming weeks. Coenie Ooshuizen has recovered from injury and should provide a further option on the tighthead side.
Captain Eben Etzebeth injured his ankle at a training camp held in Stellebosch last week, but is still expected to lead the side on tour. The Boks have some quality locks in reserve, though. Lood de Jager was the South African Player of the Year in 2015, while Pieter-Steph du Toit won this award in 2016.
