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Mind Games: Strong squads, poor performances

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Dan Retief
Dan Retief

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer raised a few eyebrows with the size of the group he invited to attend his first training camp of the year in Johannesburg this week.

Forty-four players have been asked to report for national assessment.

When you include the Sharks, who are on tour, and overseas-based players, close to 70 players could be in the World Cup frame.

It may be that Meyer is trying to keep morale up and competition keen before settling on a final squad – but it does indicate some uncertainty in the coach’s mind.

But perhaps the biggest surprise was in the names not invited to strut their stuff at St Peter’s College: the likes of Lions props Julian Redelinghuys and Ruan Dreyer, flankers Jaco Kriel and Warwick Tecklenburg, lock Franco Mostert and hooker Armand van der Merwe.

It got me thinking about whether this year’s Super Rugby competition is that relevant in shaping Meyer’s plans for the World Cup.

Are there players who have come strongly to the fore who could become stalwarts?

A scan through the match-day squads confirmed this, most notably Stormers props Vincent Koch and Steven Kitshoff.

What if we were to have trials? Could one select a side of fringe players who could beat a Springbok side?

I did the exercise and a pretty strong team emerges – indicating not only the great depth in South African rugby but the difficulty Meyer will have in paring it down to just 31 players when he names the World Cup squad on August 31.

Such are the riches at the disposal of the national selectors that a 23-man squad of non-Springboks proved to be quite easy to set out, and still there were other individuals for whom good cases could be made.

This then is my best non-Bok side, the only selection criterion being that none of them are serving yet as Springboks (see graphic).

I reckon this side would not do too badly and would be a challenge for any international team … even though they may look over their shoulders at some of the players I didn’t include: Ruan Botha, Lappies Labuschagne, Scarra Ntubeni, Lizo Gqoboka, Michael Rhodes, Demetri Catrakilis, Kobus van Wyk, Harold Vorster, Nic Groom, Burger Odendaal, Andre Esterhuizen, Pat Howard and Andries Coetzee.

And when you think that some top-class Baby Boks are missing because they are preparing for the Junior World Cup, you have to wonder: with the kind of talent at South Africa’s disposal, should we not be doing better in Super Rugby?

dan.retief@citypress.co.za

Follow me on Twitter @retiefdan

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