Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will face some massive selection decisions at the start of the 2024 Test season.
The Springboks will start the 2024 Test season against Wales, followed by a highly anticipated two-Test series against Ireland before a one-off clash against Portugal that precedes the Rugby Championship.
It’s likely that there will be relatively experimental selections for the game against Wales, as well as the clash against Portugal, but it will be very interesting to see what Rassie Erasmus’ first-choice team looks like.
THREE BIGGEST SELECTION CALLS FOR SPRINGBOK BOSS RASSIE ERASMUS TO MAKE
Who should start at 13?
Despite the fact that Jesse Kriel firmly held the No. 13 jersey last season, Lukhanyo Am is now fully recovered and eager to contribute to the Sharks during what has been a difficult season thus far for the Durban-based team.
It will be fascinating to observe if Am has done enough to regain the starting position at outside centre by the start of the Test season, or if Kriel has displaced him indefinitely.
Who is best suited to a starting role at hooker?
Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi are both elite athletes with distinct advantages, and Rassie Erasmus has a history of alternating between them as his starting hooker.
Marx provides explosiveness and a serious threat to a breakdown, while Mbonambi provides steadiness and shines in set pieces. Every player’s role will probably vary according on the competition, but Mbonambi should keep the No. 2 shirt given that Marx has been out with a major injury for a while.
Building depth at No 8
The retirement of Duane Vermeulen leaves a significant void at eighth man for the Springboks, though Wiese appears to be the obvious choice after making an impression with his work ethic and physicality.
The true problem for Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks will arise if Wiese is unavailable; while a few “newcomers” can cover at No. 8, no one in particular is truly able to provide complete expert backup.
