Springboks Selection Barometer Part 3 – The Back Row

With a break in the action and top stars at a national alignment camp this week, we look at the depth at the Springboks’ disposal and the form of the leading local and foreign-based players in the hunt to front the British & Irish Lions.

In the third installment of a six-part series, Quintin van Jaarsveld focuses on the murderer’s row in the back row.

After two-thirds of their talismanic loose trio spent a season on the sidelines due to serious injuries, the Springboks coaches and spectators are breathing a huge sigh of relief following the recent returns of World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi and superstar blindside flank Pieter-Steph du Toit while holding thumbs they don’t suffer any setbacks in the lead-up to the British & Irish series.

Springboks Selection Barometer Part 2 – The Second Row

Along with the imperious Duane Vermeulen, the blockbuster back-row combination is at the core of the Springboks’ success, from where the Green and Gold machine derives its direction, dynamism and motivation from. Every established guard needs a supporting cast to hammer things home, however.

With one of South Africa’s great servants and crucial “Bomb Squad” member Francois Louw having ridden off into the sunset following the 32-12 win over England in the World Cup final two years ago, still the last time the Springboks were in action due to the pandemic, a key vacancy needs to be filled and additional soldiers must be on standby.

Springboks Selection Barometer Part 1 – The Front Row

With plenty of options, the overarching challenge of the selection posers director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and coach Jacques Nienaber are faced with is striking the right balance while also covering all the bases. 

Let’s take a closer look at the back-row power players:

Siya Kolisi (Sharks)

Following a long injury lay-off, the Springboks captain has been on a tailor-made conditioning programme since his blockbuster move from the Stormers to the Sharks in February and it’s beginning to bear fruit. Kolisi’s become increasingly impactful in each outing for his new franchise and his impressive performance against the Stormers, highlighted by him steamrolling Ruhan Nel and setting up a try for Yaw Pence (time-stamped below), was South African rugby’s biggest success story of the past weekend.

Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)

His recent superhuman return from a career-threatening leg injury has reiterated what a truly one-of-a-kind talent Du Toit is. After a year on the sidelines, the 2019 World Player of the Year has produced three freakish 80-minute performances, the pick of the lot being his all-action Man of the Match effort in the win over the Sharks at the weekend, which included a top try. As a converted lock, he can slot into the second row if need be, however, it’s at No.7 where he’s at his brilliant best.

Pieter-Steph du Toit Tribute

Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)

The talisman of the Bulls’ remarkable revival post-lockdown, Vermeulen’s form, influence and stature in the national side in recent years – complete with a Man of the Match performance in the World Cup final – has elevated him in the eyes of many experts as the greatest eighthman in Springboks history. Colossal in every aspect of the game, the grizzled hard man will be a key player and a series win over the Lions would be a perfect conclusion to his legendary Test career.

Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Jubilo)

The former Lions livewire was the heart and soul of struggling Yamaha Jubilo and was this week rewarded for his gung-ho guts and complete commitment with a place in the official Japanese Top League Team of the Season. As a member of the World Cup-winning squad, he’s on the inside as opposed to the outside looking in like the players to follow. With his Sevens background, Smith brings x-factor to the back row along with predatory pilfering.

Marco van Staden (Bulls)

Van Staden could not have done more on the domestic scene since rugby resumed in South Africa last summer to work his way back into the Springbok team. His proficiency as a breakdown specialist is his greatest asset and will see him seriously challenge Smith in that regard as Louw’s successor, however, his domineering determination makes him an effective ball-carrier as well despite his lack of size.

Marcell Coetzee (Bulls)

A string of serious injuries is the only reason why Coetzee isn’t closing in on a century of Springbok appearances like his best friend Eben Etzebeth, who he broke into the team with back in 2012. That’s how talented he is. Just about fully recovered from a thigh injury and on the brink of beginning the latest chapter of his career at the Bulls, if he can get through the next few weeks and play to his potential, there’s every chance of him making the squad, mainly because he’s equally excellent in all three back-row positions. 

Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse)

One of Rassie Erasmus’ known favourites, Elstadt was a valuable member of the Toulouse side who secured a record fifth European Champions Cup title with a 22-17 win over La Rochelle in last Saturday’s final. The utility forward plays most of his rugby in the back row but is equally comfortable at lock, where he earned his stripes at the Stormers.

Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)

The biggest uncapped mover and shaker, Wiese’s been setting Europe alight in his Leicester Tigers jersey. He’s been the club’s best forward and further strengthened his case for a Springbok call-up with a talismanic try-scoring performance in last Friday’s Challenge Cup final defeat to Montpellier. A wrecking ball on attack and defence, he’s suddenly emerged as a possible long-term successor for Vermeulen and is adept in the second row as well.  

The Rest:

Having reinvented himself at the Sharks over the last year, forgotten Springbok No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe’s dream of facing the Lions has cruelly been dashed by injury, with the 27-year-old having undergone surgery that’ll sideline him for months after he ruptured his patella tendon in the clash against the Bulls two weeks ago. 

Rising stars Vincent Tshituka and Elrigh Louw have been nothing short of spectacular for the Lions and Bulls respectively, while former Springboks Jaco Kriel (Lions), Arno Botha and Nizaam Carr (both Bulls) remain in contention. 
Abroad, Sale-based twins Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez continue to make their presence felt, with the former also able to cover lock, while Jacques Vermeulen has been excellent for the Exeter Chiefs, who he helped claim a European and domestic double last season.