With the South African selectors choosing two touring teams, and with their eyes firmly on the 1999 World Cup, young players have the chance to prove themselves
RUGBY:Jon Swift
ANDRE MARKGRAAFF, our national rugby coach – though this is perhaps too simplistic a title given his new exalted status – has made no secret of his approach to picking Springbok teams. “I am by nature conservative about selections,” he has said on more than one occasion.
And while some of his choices might belie that statement of intent, it is undoubtedly the pivot on which Markgraaff bases his thinking. With that as a given, the looming announcement of the South African squad to tour Argentina and France and then go on for a one-off Test against Wales will be interesting.
There is also the equally important matter of pulling together the best of this country’s emergent talent for the South African “A” side’s tour of Britain.
Put together, they present an almost unique opportunity for a selector in this country, the chance to expand a squad from the 36 due for top honours through picking a second string combination. Interestingly enough, a similar tour in Europe led to the call-up of Gavin Johnston to higher honours on the last tour to South America.
Markgraaff is unlikely to deviate much from the players used in the Sanzar series against Australia and New Zealand and the three-Test series against the All Blacks which followed.
Of special note in this regard will be whether Markgraaff & Co reinstate Francois Pienaar to his rightful position as captain, confirming that Gary Teichmann was a caretaker choice, or do what many would consider the unthinkable and stay with the incumbent.
Given the muddled thinking that Markgraaff applied to making Pienaar – such a special forward and an inspirational leader – play himself back into the side through the barely concealed injury that finally sidelined him against the All Blacks, anything is possible and nothing should be taken for granted.
In this regard the renaissance of James Small may have been brought about by no less a rugby personality than Louis Luyt, but has yet to be confirmed by Markgraaff. Small’s public apology for “crimes” perceived to be beyond the schoolmasterly pale by the coach signalled the start of the fiery winger’s re-acceptance. The rubber stamp has yet to be effectively applied.
But, given the lightning which has only briefly flickered through South African backplay this season, Small must surely be an automatic choice as one of the world’s premier wingmen.
There is also the fact, proved with conviction in the Test against Australia in Bloemfontein, that Small is a more than adequate fullback at international level and an able substitute for Andre Joubert. And, make no mistake, this position must be an area of some concern.
Joubert, great player that he is, has made the No 15 jersey his own, and it will be interesting to see whether Transvaal’s Gavin Lawless or Russell Bennett of Border get the back-up berth.
Among the wings – given that Small travels – there is also the interesting prospect of young Breyton Paulse making the trip. Should this be the case, the man most likely to lose out would be Pieter Hendriks, whose form of late and ill-discipline must surely count against him.
Jacques Olivier has returned from injury – and to fine form – and Justin Swart has done nothing wrong. But then neither has the Natal flier Cabous van der Westhuizen who has had a marvellous season and more than deserves a look-in despite being past his 33rd birthday.
But given that Markgraaff has also consistently said that he is building towards the next World Cup campaign in Wales, now just three years away, Paulse would be an obvious choice, while Van der Westhuizen’s claims would seem to diminish.
There has been nothing quite as exciting as this 20-year-old from the Western Cape for years, and giving Paulse the feel of a big tour is a real investment in the future.
The same is true of the young Northern Transvaal centre pairing of Danie van Schalkwyk and Andre Snyman who must surely make the trip alongside automatic choices Japie Mulder and Hennie le Roux, who will probably be chosen at flyhalf to understudy Henry Honiball.
The question of whether Jeremy Thomson makes it remains a poser only Markgraaff can answer, but certainly the peroxide Durban blond deserves a shot this time out as one of the most penetrative and thinking players in the middle of the park thrown up this season.
Joost van der Westhuizen is a certainty at scrumhalf but now that Johan Roux has pulled out due to injury, there is room for other candidates behind a pack combination that should show few changes from the Markgraaff pattern.
Schutte Bekker to back Teichmann at eighthman; Fritz van Heerden, Wayne Fyvie and Andre Venter to underpin Pienaar and Ruben Kruger; and Hannes Strydom, Krynauw Otto and Steve Atherton coming in behind the first choice lock pairing of Mark Andrews and Kobus Wiese.
There are a number of points worth mentioning in the composition of the second rowers. The injury which has ruled out Johan Ackermann for the season must be weighed against 1999 and his return to fitness. Atherton is more than adequate at the side of the scrum and, if Markgraaff truly thinks about it, he will start grooming Andrews now for a return to the eighthman slot Kitch Christie slotted him into in the last World Cup.
Andrews showed some limitations in the position during the final stage of the world championship, but having him at the back during the next World Cup in Wales adds a staggering extra dimension.
The hooking duties will surely be split among James Dalton and Naka Drotsky, with Henry Tromp coming in as well. Os du Randt aside, there remain some problems with our props that have to be sorted out before 1999, but it is well to remember that Ollie le Roux, injured right now, must remain part of the equation.
But one thing is certain, all of the players who do make the major tour will, like their coach, be looking over their shoulders at the “A” side. For these are the comers. These are the real challengers for places in the national squad, and it will be well for all concerned to remember this.