The Springboks will need to get rid of some passengers in their current squad if they want South Africa to believe they are capable of winning a third Rugby World Cup come 2027.
After an embarrassing 38-22 loss to Australia in their Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park some serious questions need to be asked about certain members of the Springbok setup.
Two heroes of South Africa’s 2019 and 2023 World Cup wins that were totally nowhere in Saturday’s clash up in Johannesburg, were hooker Bongi Mbonambi and utility forward Franco Mostert.
Mbonambi Missing The Target
In the case of Mbonambi, this is not the first time this year that the 34-year-old front-rower has delivered a disappointing performance.
In three Tests this year – first two against Italy and Georgia – Mbonambi has been missing his targets at lineout time, and this weekend skew throwing has crept into his game.
Known for being a hard ball-carrier and bullying defences, Mbonambi, was a no show after being asked to try and up the ante as the Boks relinquished a 22-5 halftime lead.
Mostert, brought on to replace Lood de Jager as lineout option, was hailed by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, during the week, as a player that never runs out of gas – even comparing him to movie character Forrest Gump.
Bulls young guns putting pressure on veterans
Yet, none of that running ability and being one of the quickest to the breakdowns and securing good ball, was seen this past Saturday. With Mostert also flopping with his work at lineout time.
The bad performance by his stars on the bench will be a huge concern and likely gave him some food for thought ahead of the second Test against the Aussies in Cape Town this coming Saturday.
But, the Bok boss has been known to be loyal to proven winners, like Mbonambi and Mostert, but even he will have to start agreeing that maybe the ship on their international careers are quickly reaching the retirement harbour.
I am in no way saying these guys are not world class players, and hopefully they get another chance on Saturday, to go out and prove me wrong, but the clock to the 2027 showpiece is kicking.
Waiting in the wings to take over are Vodacom Bulls duo Ruan Nortje (lock) and Jan-Hendrik Wessels (hooker/prop).
Wessels was supposed to play at Ellis Park, but for suffering an injury the day ahead of the game.
He should be okay to play this week, according to assistant coach Mzwandile Sticks’ comments at this past Friday’s Captains Press Conference, and in my opinion Wessels should not be selected as a prop, but in the position he so desperately wants to play, hooker.
Touted by former Bulls coach Jake White, as the incumbent No.1 at for the number two jersey, Wessels has been biding his time, and seeing Mbonambi continually struggling, has certainly opened up the door for the youngster to take that spot.
Meanwhile Nortje is also a player with the engine that Erasmus likes and, like Mostert, can be utilised at lock and loose-forward and deserves a shot in the second clash with the Wallabies.
Etzebeth, Du Toit nowhere as leaders v Oz
It was also worrying to see veterans Eben Etzebeth (lock) and two-time World Rugby Player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit fade so badly in Saturday’s Test.
It is however highly unlikely that they will be dropped, although Bok boss Erasmus has been known to spring a few surprises.
However, all these back-to-back world cup winners are known to come out firing when Erasmus starts to light a fire on their backsides.
The only question is, how many times will Erasmus allow his team to put in a bad performance, try to inspire a response, before deciding to finally put some names up on the chopping block, two years out for the showpiece event in Australia.
