Crocked Boks a blessing in disguise

Injuries to the likes of André Esterhuizen and Cheslin Kolbe give Rassie Erasmus the ideal opportunity to experiment with new Springbok combinations and fresh faces, writes DEVIN HERMANUS.

On Friday night in Cardiff, Esterhuizen limped off after barely a minute. Then, over Saturday’s round of URC fixtures, Handré Pollard came a cropper at Loftus, while André-Hugo Venter and Deon Fourie were forced off during the Stormers’ win in Cape Town.

Kolbe is set to miss the rest of the Nations Championship due to a broken jaw, while concerns remain over Eben Etzebeth (leg), Vusi Moyo (shoulder) and Ben-Jason Dixon (concussion symptoms).

The world champions resume their campaign unbeaten, with matches against Italy, Ireland and France before the finals weekend at the end of November.

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Walking around Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon with Keo & Zels’ Zelím Nel – shout-out to Ruhan Nel for his coffee spot recommendation – we discussed Erasmus needing to use the games in front of him to explore and gauge who else is out there.

There will always be reservations about an unknown selection or pairing, but Rassie must forget the knee-jerk reaction to the Boks’ defeat by the Wallabies in Perth and not fear making wholesale changes again.

Champing at the bit for Test action is eight-cap Edwill van der Merwe, whose aerial threat is underrated, not to mention his speed, defensive bravery and ability to finish tries.

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The Bulls’ Sebastian de Klerk and Cheswill Jooste are literally waiting in the wings for their shot.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok can offset Pollard’s absence, but what was the point of giving Yaqeen Ahmed a run at 10 for the SA A team against Zimbabwe earlier this year if he isn’t given a chance at Test level as soon as possible? The 20-year-old starred with a match-winning brace against the Scarlets last week.

Junior Springboks and Stormers teammate Markus Muller is only 19 but is tipped to become one of South Africa’s next superstars. If not now, when?

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Take a punt on Sharks prodigy Zekhethelo Siyaya, whose skill, strength and elusiveness makes him a viable option across the back three and at flyhalf. So, too, Bulls newcomer Luan Giliomee.

There has been talk of inside centre Jonathan Roche, on form in the URC and the Investec Champions Cup, moving to Ireland. The 23-year-old could also wear the green and gold this year.

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Who is next in line at No 13 behind Jesse Kriel? Is it Canan Moodie? Is it Ethan Hooker? The Sharks’ Jurenzo Julius will be ruing his untimely hamstring injury.

At lock, Ruben van Heerden debuted against Wales in July, while the versatile Cobus Wiese has come into his own. Riley Norton has shot the lights out for the Stormers since his breakout in the Boks-Barbarians clash. Adré Smith also got exposure with SA A.

It is round five of the URC this weekend, and Erasmus is expected to name his squad this week, once he has received the injury reports from the four South African clubs.

Instead of asking Stormers boss John Dobson to wrap Damian Willemse in cotton wool, Rassie should play the hand he’s dealt and see the blessing in disguise.

Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images