Amid whispers of lineup worries and missing stalwarts like Jasper Wiese and Elrigh Louw, coach Rassie Erasmus is cool as a cucumber about his No 8 options. With a few of his key players sidelined, Erasmus is banking on his squad's versatility to tackle the upcoming challenges head-on, starting with a face-off against the Wallabies.
The Rugby Championship opener on August 16 at Ellis Park is drawing near, and while some pundits are sweating over who'll hold down the fort at the back of the scrum, Erasmus isn't breaking a sweat. “In the current squad, Kwagga [Smith], Marco [van Staden] and Cobus [Wiese] can all play there,” he confidently told reporters in Johannesburg.
“There are different guys with different skill sets.”
Indeed, each of these players brings a unique flavor to the pitch. Cobus Wiese proved his mettle in the Boks’ final Test against Georgia, and Jean-Luc du Preez has shown he can handle the heat against the Barbarians. Kwagga Smith, with his history of clutch performances, seems like a strong bet to start against the Aussies.
Meanwhile, Evan Roos is the elephant in the room, having been conspicuously left out of the lineup once again. The Stormers powerhouse made his Test debut off the bench last year but hasn't seen much action since. Erasmus, however, was quick to douse any rumors of a rift.
“I know everyone talks about the Evan Roos thing. I think you can phone Evan – all is good there,”
he reassured, noting ongoing discussions about Roos' development and game time.With Jasper Wiese set to rejoin the squad for the second Test against the All Blacks, Erasmus is wary of overcrowding the camp. “It’s lekker to have that depth,” he remarked, signaling no rush to make hasty additions. As for Roos, there might still be a chapter left in his Springbok story, just a little later down the road.
As the Boks gear up for a tough series, the blend of seasoned warriors and fresh blood promises some thrilling rugby action. Erasmus' chess moves with his No 8s might just be the ace up his sleeve as they prepare to tackle the Wallabies head-on.