Rudolf Straeuli wandered into the pressroom at King’s Park last Saturday wearing two surprising things: a jacket three sizes too big for him and a large smile.
To the outsize members of the press it was comforting to know that there is a shop somewhere that can make clothes of such a generous cut. It was comforting, too, to know that Straeuli is beginning to see some light at the end of a long dark Super 12 tunnel, hence the smile.
There are three weeks of log play left in the Super 12 and Straeuli would like nothing better than to cancel his planned Springbok trials for the weekend of the semifinals. But logic tells us that even if the Stormers succeed in earning 15 points from their final three matches, they will still fall short of the top four and that, therefore, Straeuli need not cancel his trials venue just yet.
The good news is that Straeuli finally has some talented, in-form players to choose from. There are many arguments ahead as to which combinations will work best and the mix-and-match atmosphere of a trial is the best place to find out. But right now Straeuli can make a few educated guesses as to what his team might look like for the first test against Wales in June.
The back three belong to the Stormers. Percy Montgomery and Pieter Rossouw are both in the best form of their lives and a fit Breyton Paulse picks himself. Stefan Terblanche and Wylie Human can fight it out for the wing place on the bench.
The halfback combination is more complex, but based on form and promise it looks like Bolla Conradie and Andre Pretorius, both uncapped and both exceptionally gifted. Pretorius has got this far without a decent scrumhalf service and Conradie could make him into a genuine international match winner. Last season Craig Davidson should have walked into the team, this time round he’ll have to bide his time on the bench.
The centre partnership will exercise Straeuli’s mind more than any other aspect of his team. He will be torn between the traditional brick-wall defenders beloved of Springbok coaches for years, and the will o’ the wisp try scorers who are great going forward, not so going backward.
In the former category come De Wet Barry (rejuvenated this year) and Trevor Halstead (still injured at the moment). In the latter category come Adrian Jacobs, Marius Joubert, Wayne Julies and Ettienne Botha.
The trials should tell Straeuli what the Super 12 cannot about whom to pick in the centre. The same is probably true of the entire pack of forwards because, unlike last year when the Cats’ eight dominated, there has been no form unit this year. Only Victor Matfield picks himself. There are arguments everywhere else.
Most would have Corné Krige at open-side flank, weighing his tendency to try referees’ patience with the fact that he is an outstanding leader in the best form of his life. Most would also have John Smit at hooker, another mature young man who gains wisdom by the week.
At loose-head prop it may be time to put Ollie le Roux out to grass and throw in the young Free Stater who has come to the party for the Stormers, Daan Human. But at tight-head it’s a lot more difficult. After an Indian summer last year Willie Meyer appears finally to have hit the wall, while Cobus Visagie spends too much time arguing with referees and not enough dominating the opposition. Rather perm the Sharks pair, Deon Carstens and Etienne Fynn on and off the bench.
Matfield’s partner should be one of Albert van den Berg or Hottie Louw and space should be found in the back row for AJ Venter. Which leaves room for one, or perhaps both, of South African rugby’s problem children, Rassie Erasmus and Bob Skinstad. The latter makes his return to Vodacom Cup action this week, while the former has just been named in a Barbarians team to tour Britain.
Straeuli is not a man who suffers fools gladly and he knows an unfit rugby player when he sees one. Therefore it should come as no surprise to see both men invited to trials to prove for themselves what a host of spin and real doctors have been unable to. And if nothing else it will be fun to watch certain players who have been developing bad habits, looking anxiously into the stands for signs of an approving nod.