I think that we have some hard choices to make about player selection in the short and medium term and to develop players further. In dealing with the issue I would say that the following positions are problematic:-
No 15 - I think there are some problems here. The players potentially available for this position is Lambie, Kirchner, Aplon and Pieetersen. Kirchner is 28, Pietersen is the same age and I believe that Aplon is 29, By the time of the next WC they would be 31 and 32 respectively - so I think some problem is in existence. Both comes with some problems. Nothing is coming through from the Junior Boks either - so we do have a problem in the run up to the WC. At this stage we have only Lambie to play at Full back, but I would rather say that Taute would also be a player that we can use in that position. I hope there is some development possible inasmuch as I think that maybe they should look at Pollard as a future Springbok full back as well.
Wings- Habana is 29 and although he is tops at the moment - he would be 32 by the time of the next WC. This could become a problem in th longer term. At this stage the candidates are J P Pietersen is 26 and can make it to the next WC. However - if he is not available there are a host of younger players to develop. I would say that potential players are JJ Engelbrecht, Pat Howard, Ruhle and even Mvovo. Ample players available for this position in future.
Centers - De Villers is an interim selection here - since he would not be available in the next WC, Francois Steyn remains as the future center for the WC. I would say there are a number of youngsters coming through and rate Jordaan as the real thing in this case. Other potential players are Serfontein and even Small-Smith. I do not think that in the medium term there would be a problem at center.
Flyhalves - Morne Steyn is a problem. He is 28 and is under-performing even at this stage. There are calls for him to be replaced. I would say that Goosen is the star of the future. However, Pollard is also going to be much better at 21 than he is at present at 18, There is also Jantjies - nobody can say that he would perform on international level or not . Rather slim in this position as well - so lets hope we can get cover for Goosen.
Scrummies - Hougaard seems to be the in player and nothing is coming through from the Junior Boks either. Could be a problem for the future if Hougaard is not available.
No 8 - we really have a problem here for the next WC. Both Spies and Vermeulen would be available for the next WC. Alberts is also a further option - he is 28, but is a hard man. There are really reasons to look at Vermeulen as the better option - and also at Alberts.
Flanks - The flavour here is really Coetzee, but who else? Burger at 29 is rather on the old side for the future WC and the other candidates are not going to make it to the next WC. Liebenberg was spoken about - but he has under-performed at the Junior Champs and I do not really rate him. Like what i saw in Du Toit though.
Locks - Etzebeth is the star player here, Kruger is also a good choice - but I do not rate Van der Merwe as a future selection. Roux was disappointing in the Junior WC - but he can develop further.
Props - We cannot play Jannie Du Plessis and the Beast forever. Here we have two stars of the future in Malherbe and Kitshoff. I am not sure about the rest. Kruger and Greyling are not the answer.
Hookers - i think Bismarck can make it to the next WC and also Strauss. The other candidates are all problematic and nothing is coming through from the Juniors. Tough one this.
There may be some players that could develop and would like to hear comments from the knowledgeable people on the Board. Saffex would no dount disagree with what I said - so please make some suggestions.
