Meyer spoilt for choice ahead of Rugby Championship

Ex Supersport

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer admits he faces a pleasant selection headache ahead of the Rugby Championship following the team's commanding 55-6 thumping of Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The Springbok coach watched his side, missing as many as 30 players through injury and unavailability, run in eight tries as they overwhelmed the visitors to record their second biggest victory margin over the Scots.

The dominant display has also convinced Meyer that some of the debutants, including the impressive Handre Pollard at flyhalf, are good enough to compete in the Rugby Championship against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina later in the year.

"We have close to 30 guys out so it will be difficult to pick a squad once all of them are fit again," Meyer told reporters.

"Handre is already a matured player and he combined well with (centre) Jan Serfontein today. They are pressuring the first choice players and a lot of the new guys will be contenders for the Rugby Championship."

After leaking soft tries the weekend before in the narrow 31-30 win over Wales, Meyer was pleased with an improved defensive effort, key to any potential success in the southern hemisphere championship.

"One thing that stands out for me was us not conceding tries," he said. "We kept the Scots out for those last minutes when other teams would have leaked a try. Our defence was awesome, but we also played very well on attack."

The Boks do have a worry, however, over veteran scrumhalf Fourie du Preez's ankle injury, the extent of which is not immediately clear.

"We hope the injury will not prevent him from playing in the Rugby Championship. He will undergo a scan as soon as possible to determine the extent of his injury. His control of the game is important to us for the Rugby Championship."

One awaits with interest to see who is left standing and available for selection when the RC starts

Port Elizabeth - South Africa's depth was tested in their 55-6 demolition of Scotland on Saturday in Port Elizabeth and came through with flying colours.

As it happened: Boks v Scotland

The most encouraging part was that old campaigners played as if they were at the peak of their careers, while the young guns performed like seasoned veterans in their eight-try romp.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer on Saturday expressed his satisfaction with the depth he had developed since taking the reins in 2012.

"Three years ago we started with some youngsters and as we suffered injuries we brought some of the older players back into the side," Meyer said.

"A lot of them played brilliantly tonight, we asked for a big performance from a guy like JP Pietersen but it is also great that when we had injuries again the youngsters came through.

"We have an unbelievable 40 players that we can pick from so I am really happy with the guys coming through and I think the future looks bright."

"I'm really proud of the guys - the message the whole week was that we have to come back after last week although I thought we played well last weekend and Wales were brilliant but we said we have to come back," Meyer said. 

It was a baptism of fire for flyhalf Handre Pollard, who instilled confidence that he had the right temperament to make it at this level.

He looked comfortable, tucked in between stalwart Fourie du Preez and Jan Serfontein, who is growing in stature with every game, on his outside.

"We needed a flyhalf to stand up especially a young flyhalf, and he (Pollard) was awesome when he was on the front foot, he has a mature head on his shoulder and I thought he really played well," Meyer said of Pollard's debut.

"I am so proud of him and Jan Serfontein because way back he struggled with defence and now three weeks in a row he put in some of the biggest tackles.

"I thought he was awesome on defence especially with a youngster on his inside and I thought that when Fourie went off we lost a lot of rhythm but suddenly we have a very young backline."

While Pollard could be the answer to the national side's lack of depth at the number-10 position, Meyer was still having sleepless nights over an understudy to Du Preez.

To add to his worries, Du Preez suffered an ankle injury 30 minutes into the clash, and Meyer admitted that he was concerned about his availability for the Rugby Championship.

"I am very worried about Fourie and I think he is still the best scrumhalf in the world and you could just see that Handre looked brilliant next to him," Meyer said.

"The way he gives input on attack, he controls the game, his kicking game as well, so I am really worried.(HOPE FOURIE IS OKAY)

"There is a big concern there and just really hope he will be ready for the Rugby Championship, but we still have two other nines."

While the Springboks won all four matches of the Incoming Series against the World XV, Wales and Scotland, they will face a tougher challenge in the Rugby Championship.

Meyer expressed the hope that the players will be managed well when they return to their franchises and clubs as he would be hoping to field his strongest possible side for the four-nation series.

It may happen in all franchises but the Sharks who are in with a title shot. However the chances are slim. It's a very big worry. 

Beeno: when there are so many "ifs" it smacks of wishful thinking. You guys may get a RAW deal though.