Springbok squad analysis

I have read many a moan and groan regarding the squad HM has put together. Some valid points but also some unrealistic notions where alternatives havent been presented for the complaints. Firstly, i have no idea how they decided on 36 players. A squad composition must make sense. Either 30 players, 17 forwards (extra prop and hooker, only 5 loosies) 13 back (only 5 outside backs), or 34 players (additional loosie, 9, 10 and outside back), or 37 (current set up with an extra lock). We have an issue at lock and therefore adding another player to give him exposure would make a lot of sense. Whoever comes in if we have an injury at for is going to unrealistically adapt very quickly. Lets take it from the front: Props (5 irrespective of squad size): 2 looseheads, 2 tightheads, 1 bothsides. Injuries to Malherbe and Kitshoff certainly didnt help the coach but it is still disappointing to see Guthro selected. It seems that Coenie is now officially a tighthead and that Marcel vd Merwe is heading in the same direction (which is a shame, with Malherbe back he will be 4th in line), evidence for this is that he has been rotated with Kruger at the Bulls. Both can fill the spot which requires flexibility. My tighthead pecking order is Malherbe Coenie Jannie, so I am happy with the selections given Malherbe is out, bubbling under Adriaanse (hasnt featured this year) and Redelinghuys. Loosehead pecking order is Beast Marcel (we need him this side) Kitshoff, I am happy with Beast and Marcel to cover the both sides position, with Kitshoff out I would rather see exposure given to bubbling under Nyakane (hasnt featured this year) or Dreyer than Guthro again (not forward looking enough). Hookers (3 irrespective of squad size): Bismarck and Strauss are clear choices but suspension has put us in a tough spot. Next in line Scarra is injured. Logically Visagie is next as he is bubbling under, some pundits do question his form this season though, but as a 4th choice I am happy with him. HM had no other option but to get his 3rd hooker from overseas. Lets hope when the Vanilla Gorilla's suspension is over that it is Visagie and not Brits who is kept in the squad as it will be good for his development. Locks (4 in 30-man, 4 in 34-man, 5 in 37-man): As much as it pains me to say but Matfield has proved me wrong at 5 this season. The other 3 locks in the group are more traditional 4 locks, even more of a reason to include another 5 lock in the group to learn from Matfield. The composition should be 2 4s, 2 5s and another who can cover flank. Front lock pecking order, Eben Flip Lood. Happy with the selections since Eben is still out. Pecking order at 5, PSDT (covers 4 and 7 to) Matfield Lewies, so i would have Lewies there. Lock/Flank pecking order, J Dup Rhodes Elstadt (hasnt featured this year). So i would have J Dup there as well and there wouldnt be space for Bakkies. In a smaller squad it would be a toss up to let Lood, Lewies, J Dup go. I would probably leave Lood out in those circumstances. Backrow (5 in 30-man, 6 in 34-man, 7 in 37-man): Given a 37 squad the composition should be 2 8s (HM has missed a trick if Duane gets injured) 1 fetcher 1 ball carrier and 3 all rounders. Pecking order at 8 Duane/Arno Whiteley, with Arno out i would have Whiteley in. Fetcher pecking order Brussow Fourie/Minnie. Ball carrier pecking order Alberts Oupa. Allrounder pecking order Louw/Burger Coetzee, Carr bubbling under then Kolisi/Lappies (both havent featured this year). If you cut the squad to 34 then I would have 3 allrounder/fetcher types and therefore leave out Brussow. Cut the squad to 30 and I would let Whiteley go. At this size of squad lever the lock/flank provides extra cover. Scrummie (2 in 30-man, 3 in 34/37-man squads): Fourie still commands a spot. 2nd/3rd spot either Reinach/Hougie. No need to venture overseas except if we want to cap Kockott. Sarel/Groom bubbling under. Flyhalf (2 in 30-man, 3 in 34/37-man squad): My pecking order is Lambie Goosen Boshoff. Pollard bubbling under. With Lambie out and Pollard at JWC, HM would have to go overseas to fill a spot in the wider squad. The only scenario in which Morne is allowed. Centre (4 in 30/34-man 5 in 37-man squad): Obviously the 5th man needs to cover both positions. Pecking order at 12 Jdv De Allende/Serfontein Frans. I would have those 4 as the centres in the squad (Jdv De Allende to play 13), the 5th centre I would add De Jongh. We have no standouts at 13. To me De Jongh is just the best of an average bunch which includes JJ Jordaan Sithole Sadie Mapoe. Given injuries it is simply okay that Sithole and JJ are in the squad. If the squad gets smaller I would dump JJ. Outside backs (5 in 30-man 6 in 34/37-man squad): 2 15s 4 wings. If squad is smaller i would let a 15 go given Boshoff and Frans can cover. Pecking order at 15, Willie Marais/Taute. No need for Zane. Wing pecking order, Habana/JP Hendricks and then any of Basson/Mvovo/Mapoe/Rhule given Aplon is injured