Springbok Watch: Players in the Spotlight v England

Quintin van Jaarsveld identifies five Springbok players who’ll be in the spotlight in Saturday’s Test against England at Twickenham.

Libbok Spearheads Bok Backline For England Showdown

Wilco Louw

Louw’s perseverance will pay off this weekend as he returns to the international arena three years after playing the last of his 14 Tests in a 32-12 win over Argentina in Port Elizabeth.

The tighthead has been consistently monstrous for the Bulls yet was omitted from the initial end-of-year touring party. An injury to Jan-Hendrik Wessels saw him and Johan Grobbelaar called up to the squad and he now gets a golden opportunity to prove his worth.

RG Snyman

Having started in just 10 of his 38 Tests, skilled skyscraper Snyman has mostly been used as a super-sub by the Boks and gets a chance to remind Rassie Erasmus that he can do the business from the get-go in the No. 5 jumper. Interestingly, it’ll be the first time ever that he starts alongside Eben Etzebeth.

The towering lock possesses a unique skillset, with his one-handed offloading ability setting him apart from every other second-rower in the game. He’s far from flash alone, though. There’s plenty of steak to go with that sizzle.

Yes, he’s best suited for an impact player role, but with his sound fundamentals and experience, plus his willingness to get physical, he won’t let the Boks down in a starting capacity.

His good gas tank could also come to the fore considering the Boks don’t have a specialist lock on the bench.

Grant Williams

Like Snyman, Williams’ strengths – his speed of delivery and out-and-out pace – make him an ideal impact player.

As a result, he has only started on four occasions in his 16-Test career and only twice at scrumhalf, with his other two run-on appearances having been on the wing.

That he didn’t have a good game in the No. 9 jumper in the 18-12 win over the All Blacks in Cape Town in September didn’t help his hopes of more starting opportunities, so it’s important that he seizes the day on Saturday.

After Jaden Hendrikse operated at such a painfully slow pace in last Sunday’s 32-15 triumph over Scotland, Williams represents a breath of fresh air, but he’ll have to show his attacking prowess doesn’t come at a cost when he does need to kick.

Manie Libbok

Libbok gets another chance to put his stamp on a big game at the home of English rugby and needs six points to become only the 30th of 944 Springboks to reach a century of points.

His selection along with Williams suggests the Boks will look to play an attacking brand of rugby and few flyhalves are as potent as the 27-year-old when he’s on song. His hands and pinpoint kick-passing are exquisite and make him a nightmare behind such a powerful pack.

Having been spared the goal-kicking duties in his last appearance, when Hendrikse took over the responsibility in the Rugby Championship-clinching 48-7 win over Argentina in Nelspruit in September, it’ll be interesting to see if it’ll be Libbok or Cheslin Kolbe lining up off the tee and how they fair.

Aphelele Fassi

A player who’s taken his chances this year after a few seasons in the Test wilderness, Fassi’s rise has been a joy to watch and has come at the perfect time with Willie le Roux’s career winding down and Damian Willemse missing the entire Test season due to injury.

“The Weekend Special” bagged a brace last time out against the Pumas to take his try-scoring tally for the season up to four and has been as good on defence and under the high ball as he’s been on attack. He’ll be fired up for his first outing at Twickenham.