So much has been said in the media about P. Divvy’s selection for the Bok training squad. First he wasn’t going to select the veterans and ended up selecting a whole slew of them, saying he initially wasn’t going to select them because of tiredness. Suddenly Coach Snor has done some serious back-peddling and said he meant to say “fatiguedness” (new addition to the P. Divvy dictionary?). The “rest” that the players were allowed over the last month (conditioning phase, not total rest) has allowed that fatigue to lift and they’re raring to go on tour. In theory.

Yes, certain individuals have benefited from being contact-free over the last month. Bryan Habana for example proved me wrong and had a great game in the Currie Cup semi-final. The question I ask is: “Is one month enough for the Boks to perform over the World Cup?”. I’d like to suggest not, and so would like to open it up to those who have an opinion, if you could pick a starting XV for the year-end tour, who would you select? A senior team? A team of youngsters? Or a mixture of youth and experience? Here are my thoughts, have at it and let us know what you think of my selection as well as your own.

Fullback

There are a number of options, and even though he wasn’t selected, I’d say Conrad Jantjes is a great option. He’s had a good comeback from a horrendous injury, fast getting back to his best. Conrad was never a flashy fullback who could turn a game, but he was always solid and you know what he’ll do for you. Great boot, excellent positional play and great at joining the line. Jantjes offers experience, solidity and a cool head.

Honourable mention: Gio Aplon. I’d rather have Gio on the right wing, but if needed he’d be a great backup for Conrad.

Left wing

Lwazi Mvovo. Powerful runner with great hands and the ability to run over as well as around opposition. Mvovo has alot of pace as well as quick feet and raw power. He finishes well and hasn’t shown many defensive frailties. Given some minutes at this level, he’s sure to do well. Great replacement for Habana in the long term.

Honourable mention: Bjorn Basson. This is a close decision, Bjorn also has so much going for him. Quick, good feet and incredible in the air. Mvovo just shades it with his power, but I don’t think that Basson would be out of place on a Springbok wing.

Right wing

Gio Aplon is streets ahead of any other at the moment. I was a big Gerhard Van Den Heever fan, but Gio’s acceleration off the mark and his incredible feet place him head and shoulders above Van Den Heever at this point. Raw pace alone doesn’t make a great winger. Along with his obviously quick feet, Aplon possesses an uncanny ability to stay on his feet through a tackle, and one could even say he’s stronger than his size shows.

Honourable mention: Bjorn Basson. I’ve never seen him play on the right before, and wingers are generally specialized and prefer one specific wing. If someone’s seen him on the right then I’m sure I’ll be corrected.

Outside centre

With Fourie injured, it leaves the door open for Juan De Jongh. I’d like to see him on the outside so he can use his pace and quick feet, and feel he’s wasted at no.12. Not alot of cover here unfortunately, so no honourable mention. I don’t feel that Adi Jacobs is up to Springbok level anymore, Jaco Pretorius had one good season and Waylon Murray was never good enough. An area to work on for the future.

Inside centre

I’d like to see Wynand Olivier play consistently here, to see if he can lift his level to Bok level. Consistently one of the top performers in the Super 14 and Currie Cup, but cannot seem to lift his game. Tough-tackler, runs at hard at the opposition. Needs to add another dimension to his distribution because those gaps at provincial level that he runs into, close too quickly at international level. Another potential area of concern, what class back up is there besides Jean De Villiers?

Flyhalf

Experience or youth? We know what we have in Morne Steyn, who’s played alot of rugby this season. Why not give a youngster like Elton Jantjies a chance? Yes he’s young and inexperienced, but as the saying goes: “If you’re good enough you’re old enough”. I wouldn’t necessarily start him for all the games, but I’d definitely alternate him with Morne Steyn and possibly even Pat Lambie (even though I think he’s overrated, let him prove me wrong).

Honourable mention: Ricky Januarie. Think about the impact a mini-prop with distribution and kicking skills could make at flyhalf?!? Ok ok, I couldn’t keep a straight face while typing that. In all seriousness I’d go for Willem De Waal, he is another who’s provincial experience and cool head could add a calm to the backline.

Scrumhalf

Francois Hougaard, hands down. The future of the Springboks. He brings certain elements of Fourie Du Preez to the position, as well as elements of his own spark and character. Tough as nails, a powerful runner and a great rugby brain.

Honourable mention: Jano Vermaak. Another solid performer who’s struggling to make the Bok team due to current strength in the position. I’d also like to mention both Charl Mcleod and Dewald Duvenhage. Both also have potential as solid performers.

Eighth man

Duane Vermeulen. I was surprised when he wasn’t selected against the Italians and French earlier this year. A powerful, direct runner from the base of the scrum, hard worker around the field.

Honourable mention: Willem Alberts, the man-mountain. If it takes 2-3 men to bring him down, that’s going to open up a gap somewhere. Would be valuable in a tight game.

Openside flank

In modern rugby, you need a flank who can fetch like Richie McCaw and disrupt the opposition at the breakdown. Francois Louw was great in his first few tests but seems to have lost favour. The Boks definitely missed Heinrich Brussow this season, and will miss him during this next tour. Deon Stegmann would fill in admirably here. Powerfully built like Brussow with the ability to steal ball and disrupt possession.

Honourable mention: Francois Louw. Not in the squad, surprisingly.

Blindside flank

Juan Smith. He’s played relatively little rugby this season due to the unfortunate passing of his father, and would add much-needed experience coolness to this in-experienced pack. My captain for the tour.

Honourable mention: Dewald Potgieter. Adds a level of destructiveness and all-out aggression to the pack. With Potgieter you’ll know you’ll always get 100% from him.

Locks

Flip Van Der Merwe and Bakkies Botha (who’s spent more time suspended than playing). Both always give 100%. Balls to the wall and won’t stand back for anybody which would be needed against the physical Irish and English. Need to keep their aggression under control as they have a tendency to have “red-mist” during a game.

Honourable mention: I’m not a fan of Alistair Hargreaves, but he’s more of a player in the Victor Matfield mould which would bring a better balance to the pack.

Hooker

Bismark Du Plessis. Plays with his heart on his sleeve. Yes he gives away the occasional penalty, but he has experience and adds physicality to the pack.

Honourable mention: I always believed Chiliboy Ralepelle was a BBBEE candidate, but his cameo appearances this year for the Boks did show flashes of  his potential.

Tighthead prop

CJ Van Der Linde. Experience and ability, again to steady the pack.

Honourable mention: Werner Kruger. Done well for the Bulls and a hard worker.

Loosehead prop

Beast Mtawarira. Tendai has had a really unfortunate few months with the Home Affairs issue, but he’s let his rugby do the talking. Great scrummager, powerful ball runner and tough-tackler.

Honourable mention: Coenie Oosthuizen. I wasn’t a fan of Coenie when I initially saw him play for the Cheetahs, where he threw a few strops when penalized for illegal scrummaging. However, his hard-working attitude makes up for that. He defends like Os Du Randt, scrums well and works when he doesn’t have the ball. Alot of potential for the future.

So that’s my starting XV. I’ve tried to mix youth and experience without jeopardizing the senior Boks who will be going to the World Cup next year. Let’s hope that P.Divvy sees the light and doesn’t overwork players who need the break, those such as Victor Matfield, Jean De Villiers, Pierre Spies and Schalk Burger. Bok Naai!!!