The anticipation of the Springbok team for Sunday’s clash against Scotland has made it a crazy but fun week for millions of South African supporters, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane notes that Rassie Erasmus’ delayed team announcement for the world champions’ end-of-year tour opener at Murrayfield has ignited a lively week of speculation among Bok fans.
He explains that Erasmus has traditionally communicated his selection to the players by Monday, with public confirmation soon after. However, this week’s later-than-usual Friday reveal has kept fans and the media buzzing with line-up predictions.
Keohane identifies tighthead prop and flyhalf as the hottest debate points. With Frans Malherbe injured, fans are divided between Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, and Thomas du Toit as Malherbe’s replacement, with a popular vote leaning toward Louw.
At flyhalf, many fans support Manie Libbok as the starter, seeing Handre Pollard as the reliable goal-kicking backup.
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In the backs, there’s debate over whether to field an experienced group featuring Willie le Roux and Makazole Mapimpi or a younger back three of Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
“The delay in the naming of the Springboks match 23 for Sunday’s Test against Scotland has allowed for a week of speculation and brought to life the voice of South African rugby supporters,” Keohane writes.
“Everyone in rugby loves to be a selector.
“It is the single most favourite aspect of following the Springboks, picking one’s own starting XV and match 23, explaining the logic behind the roles of those starting and finishing, and bringing subjectivity to a topic that can never passionately be discussed objectively.
“The subject of team selection can get hot and crazy. It can get personal on social media and this has been that kind of week when Bok supporters and the rugby media have had a week to debate who will make up the Bok 23 on Sunday.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
