How Rassie Erasmus could reshape Springboks' bench to cope with injured Siya Kolisi's absence
Rassie Erasmus must weigh up a major reshaping of his starting back row and bench composition for the All Blacks series.
As the Springboks prepare for their crucial Test series against the All Blacks, head coach Rassie Erasmus is faced with a complex selection dilemma. Starting captain Siya Kolisi remains a major question mark after suffering a recurring hamstring injury during his return match against Argentina on Saturday. With a brief turnaround available, the coaching staff must devise backup plans for their back-row options and bench construction.
Should Kolisi be unable to play, Stormers standout Paul de Villiers emerges as the most likely choice to assume the starting open-side flanker role. De Villiers' impressive debut performance during the July Nations Championship showcased his ability as a key turnover creator and dynamic runner, filling the void left by the injured Kwagga Smith, who is sidelined with a long-term knee issue.
De Villiers would have traditionally filled that explosive, game-changing role in a traditional 6-2 bench split. However, if De Villiers is selected to start, Erasmus must decide who will fill that crucial late-game position. Veteran Deon Fourie offers valuable breakdown expertise and versatility, able to play hooker and impact the backline, while Marco van Staden provides sheer physical force and relentless tackling in close quarters.
The composition of the forward reserve bench also adds to the complexity of the decision. Erasmus previously utilized a heavy artillery approach against Argentina, bringing in Cobus Wiese and Ben-Jason Dixon as specialist locks to strengthen the set-piece and collisions in the closing stages. If the Boks opt for this strategy against New Zealand, they could maintain a 6-2 bench split with a single lock specialist or even reduce it to a single specialist lock, with double World Cup winner Pieter-Steph du Toit stepping in as a lock during the second half.
Alternately, abandoning the 6-2 split entirely for a 5-3 ratio could be considered, potentially incorporating André Esterhuizen, who has shown immense potential as a hybrid back-row option, providing defensive aggression and power to bolster both the forward pack and backline. The final decision will hinge on finding the perfect balance between brute forward depth and tactical adaptability to compensate for Kolisi's leadership and work rate.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
