Lets look at the squad of 32 and he six players added - as well as the injured players and the Junior Boks and determine which present Boks will have to up their game to remain in contention.
I think Meyer knows which players are potential match losers and may change the team sooner, rather then later. Looking at the squad - I would say the players with very few chances to remain unless they upped their game drastically are the following:-
Lest start at the back - Kirchner was picked on Bull sentiment and since he played for the Springboks before - he was given a slight lifeline by Meyer. His performances in Super 15 this year was atrocious at best. Pietersen is under threat and another display like today on international level and he would be out. The biggest disfavour to Pietersen was the decision to try him out at center - big mistake, huge De Jong is not an attack option - he is too light a player to feature. Jordaan is a star and Taute can also feature.
Frans Steyn will have to show that he can continue to play on international level (French club rugby may be too poor to allow him to play on higher level) - but he is likely to remain. Morne Steyn is a definite player under scrutiny. Goosen and Lambie, as well as Jantjies are all better options thatn him.
Hougaard is a problem case - he is being used as a scrummie - but I think that is not his best position. I also think that Meyer realized that at this stage Du Preez is not an option. I believe that the initial selection would be Pienaar - with potential threats from Vermaak and Van Zyl.
Spies will get one final chance to prove that he is up to standard. Vermeulen, Botha, and even Kankan are all in contention. Alberts is on his way out. I think the loosies for the time being will be Burger, Coetzee and Vermeulen as soon as they are fit to play. Locks - up in the air. I think that the ultimate selection would center around Etzebeth - but the other position is not secure and there are a number of players that could feature.. Props - watch out here comes the young brigade in full force.
My team for next Saturday will be the following:-
Lambie
Mvovo
De Villiers - likely captain
Habana
Steyn
Pienaar
Spies
Coetzee
Daniel
Van Der Merwe
Etzebeth
Jannie
Bismarck
The Beast
The bench would be as follows:-
Hougaard
Engelbrecht or Pietersen (latter as a wing only - so bad choice)
Kruger
Chilliboy
Oosthuizen
Kruger
Kankan or Alberts (latter played badly all year)
