Though the next Rugby World Cup (RWC) is a little over a year away, Springbok rugby’s most decorated wing, Bryan Habana, believes there is still scope for young players to make their mark.
He was quick to add, however, that coaches must be driven by the courage of their convictions when they make selections.
“One hundred percent, there is scope. Players of influence can still come through. There is a four-year cycle between World Cups,” Habana said
“I don’t think there is a perfect recipe. As a coaching team you must just make sure you select the players you believe can do the job for you over an eight-week period. You need experience, but you need youth with that.
“Every coach tries to get a semblance of perfection ahead of the World Cup.”
He said no-one could have foreseen the severe effects Covid-19 would have.
The pandemic-induced disruption to the four-year cycle has necessitated the Bok management deploy in greater numbers the players already in their system. They do this knowing they cannot afford to turn a blind eye to emerging talent.
“Every coach is entitled to their selections. We have a couple of million selectors in this country,” joked Habana.
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber is well aware the naming of a Springbok team is accompanied by strong public sentiment. Earlier this week he named his team for Saturday’s clash against Wales at Loftus Versfeld and opinion was duly divided.
The omission of Evan Roos, who was named United Rugby Championship (URC) player of the tournament, has sparked lively debate, but his non-selection isn’t entirely surprising.
Jasper is a project. He only has 11 caps now and if you think of a long-term plan to take players to a World Cup, we would like him to have more international caps to his name and this is one of those opportunities
— Jacques Nienaber
In fact, the Bulls’ Elrigh Louw, who was selected for the bench, appeared from the outset to be ahead of him in the national pecking order.
The Springboks have an established order and it is one they zealously maintain. Duane Vermeulen is the long-established incumbent, but he’s injured, while Jasper Wiese, who starts this weekend, was anointed in 2021 as the man next in line.
Wiese played with enough industry and drive to earn a few ticks from the Bok management in 2021 and backed it up with solid performances for Leicester Tigers. Louw has impressed from the back of the scrum and is said to be a similar handful off the side.
Nienaber insisted he selected a team fit for first Test purpose.
“Evan is such a talented player. I’ve only seen him play at No 8,” said the coach.
He said Roos would hold his own, whenever his opportunity comes and irrespective of the position he plays. That opportunity will most likely come in the third Test, especially if the Boks take a 2-0 buffer to Cape Town.
While Wiese is the man in possession, Nienaber admitted the No 8 requires some refinement.
“Jasper is a project. He only has 11 caps and if you think of a long-term plan to take players to a World Cup, we would like him to have more international caps to his name and this is one of those opportunities,” the coach said.
As much as Roos has been a leading figure in the Stormers’ drive for United Rugby Championship honours, Nienaber explained that Wiese has been playing his socks off on his way to Premiership honours for the Tigers.
“We do performance analysis on every single player that is in the squad. He has been performing quite well for Leicester and also with the things we want him to perform in.
“He is not the finished project yet like a lot of these players.”
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