When Erasmus was appointed in 2018 - the first test played was in Washington against Wales. He send a team with only 5 rgular Springboks in to Washington wit Du Toit as captain. They lost the game because of bugger-ups by the flyhalf of the day knocking on balls in the goal area and that caused them losing 12 points - the losing margin was two points. Erasmus was looking at potential talent - same as he is lookin g for now.
There are already gaps in the squad due to retirement of players after the 2023 WC and there will be more. Erasmus's normal strategy is in any event what I am driving at is that Erasmus realises there are and will be gaps in the team arising - so he si looking at getting to know the abilities and attitudes of potential replacement players and not follow the Meyer method to get retirees to start playing again. - eg the Meyer method to deal with future selections. . .
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Just saw an article in the report that indicates that Rassie will be going all out youth this year in his recent bok alignment camp.
Dweeb, Brenda Fassi and Dyamani has been left out.
However, there is a theme here as they are mostly under 23 players.
Bulls
8 Hannekom
2 Jan Hendrik Wessels
7/8 Mpilo Gumeden
2 Grobbler
Lions
7 Ruan Venter
9/10 Nuhamba
15 Quan Horn
13 Henco van Wyk
9 Morne van der berg
Although the media is making out if some up and coming boks have been left out but I think it is down to logistics given that these players are in Gauteng and probably easier.
Great to see these players on the map and have proven this season how good they are.
We'll probably see another camp with more Stormers and Sharks players.
I would love to see Rassies list of who he thinks are the best 45 players in the country. Excluding those that are abroad.