5 Things Ahead Of Springboks v Georgia

On Friday the Springboks will get back into the Test arena after an absence of over a year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, they face European rugby’s rising force Georgia. The Boks are unlikely to lose and will use the game to look at a few things, here are some of the things Jacques Nienaber could potentially be looking at in the Test against Georgia.

Back-up Front Row?

Ox Nche will make his first Springbok appearance since his debut against Wales in the Washington Test in 2018. The Sharks prop has fought his way into the squad through consistent performances domestically. He’s joined by World Cup winners Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane in the front row.

The combination is interesting in that it is hard to tell whether they will be back-up front row or first choice. Nche at loosehead is unlikely to usurp Steven Kitshoff, but Trevor Nyakane’s form with the Bulls could propel him to starting tighthead prop in the series against the British and Irish Lions.

Bongi Mbonambi was the preferred hooker at the World Cup in 2019, it is highly unlikely that he has now been relegated to second choice hooker, time will tell how the front row will shape up.

The Number 8 Conundrum

With Duane Vermeulen unlikely to be fit in time for the Test series, the Springboks coaching staff will use these two tests against Georgia to find the best option in the absence of the talismanic Bulls captain. This Friday Kwagga Smith will get a run at the back of the scrum with debutant Jasper Wiese set to come off the bench.

Both players are viable options, added to that is the brute power of Dan du Preez who has grown into a formidable player in the Sale Sharks number 8 jersey and if all things are fair, should get a run in the second Test against Georgia. If all else fails, captain Siya Kolisi with all his experience may be the go-to option at 8, but let’s see how Smith and Wiese go this week.

Who Backs Up Faf?

Cobus Reinach will start ahead of Herschel Jantjies on Friday and one has to wonder whether that is an indication of the current pecking order. Faf de Klerk is the undisputed number one scrumhalf for the Boks, he’s hardly missed a beat for the Sale Sharks and remains a key part of the Springbok strategy. Reinach has the opportunity to push for a backup spot at scrumhalf should he do well, similarly Jantjies is being played off the bench, because perhaps at this point, he is best suited for that role.

This Test and the one next week will give an indicator as to who will be best suited to come off the bench for Faf, for now, let us see how both adjust to their roles against Georgia.

Flyers On Debut

One in the twilight of his career, another at the beginning of his career. The two Bok debutants on the wing have walked different paths to the Springbok jersey and both will look to make a memorable debut. For their coaching staff, it is a case of blooding them and seeing how they go. The Lions tour is happening amid the third wave in South Africa and having all good quality options will be important.

Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Sbu Nkosi are the first-choice trio on the wing, but should anything happen. Nienaber and co. need to know whether Aphelele Fassi and Rosco Specman will sink or swim if thrown into the deep end.

Test Match Intensity

Beyond any individual battles for spots or combinations, the Springboks will use Friday night’s Test match against Georgia to gauge how far off they are in terms of being Test match ready. Similarly, they will use the game to up their match fitness to a level that will see them be ready for the Test series against the Lions.

The Springboks are the only Tier 1 nation who played no Test rugby last year and the home nations come to South Africa having played a full 6 Nations and at this point will have an advantage as far as Test match intensity goes.

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