Bok coach Heyneke Meyer will be encouraged with the first month’s performances from many of his established and emerging Springboks. More importantly, though, is how these players are performing in the last week of May.
Injuries will continue to batter the national coaches of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa because of the unrelenting schedule. It is the nature of the beast.
Sharks flyhalf Pat Lambie’s injury is a setback because he was finally looking world-class at flyhalf. Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is also a blow because of the valuable international game time he will miss. It is hoped Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth is back for the June internationals and the Rugby Championship.
The Sharks' all-Springbok front row haven’t been dominant but they will grow into the season.
Individually Sharks centre Frans Steyn has been the best of the backs and Stormers captain Jean de Villiers has also been good. Cheetahs fullback Willie le Roux has been a mix of wonderful and woeful but in a better team (like the Boks) he will play with more confidence and with more structure. Don’t be concerned about his inconsistency.
Morné Steyn will still be the starting Bok No 10 and if fit Bryan Habana will be on the one wing. Several European based players will slot into the Bok set-up and there will also be selections based in Japan. Bulls lock Victor Matfield’s return and improvement with each match has been significant and don’t dismiss the rehabilitation at Toulon of Juan Smith.
It’s looking good for the Springboks, if not for the majority of the South African sides.
Put your money on the Boks to go one better in this year’s Rugby Championship and know they’ll whip Wales and Scotland in the June internationals. Don’t be as liberal with your cash when it comes to the South African Super Rugby challenge.
