Springboks Selection Barometer Part 5 – The Midfield

We shift the spotlight to the backs as we continue to look at the depth at the Springboks’ disposal and the form of the leading local and foreign-based players in the hunt to front the British & Irish Lions.

In the fifth installment of a six-part series, Quintin van Jaarsveld focuses on the men in the midfield.

When the Springboks were last in action, almost two years ago at the World Cup in Japan due to the pandemic, Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am took centre stage and helped South Africa clinch the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time. The prolific pair are a perfect combination of brawn and brains and will resume their yin-yang partnership against the Home Nations’ best.

Springboks Selection Barometer Part 2 – The Second Row

There’s no shortage of backup options for the established top tandem, leaving the Springboks selectors with plenty of food for thought. Let’s take a closer look at the main midfielders vying for places in the 45-man squad set to be announced on Saturday:

Damian de Allende (Munster)

The incumbent Springboks inside centre has been magnificent for Munster. The 1.91m, 105kg midfield monster has been unstoppable at times with ball in hand, either blasting straight through defences or drifting into openings like Ken Block in his 1,400hp Mustang. One dimensional when he burst onto the scene, De Allende’s evolution as an offloading playmaker has been evident as well. He was the top No.12 at the 2019 World Cup and looks on course to peak at the perfect time again

Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)

Am has been in solid form for the Sharks, leading the Durban outfit by example. An unmatched midfield mastermind, his defensive organisation makes him the glue of the backline and owner of the Springboks No.13 jersey. His prodigious rugby IQ translates into telling contributions on attack as well, where exceptional vision and smooth and subtle skill see him exploit the smallest chinks in the opposition’s armour. 

Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

A supreme athlete, Kriel had to carry the Canon Eagles through an indifferent Top League campaign that saw them win just three of their seven conference matches. The first was the finest example of his dynamic strength and skill as well as his warrior spirit as he scored two tries and suffered a gruesome gash in a match-winning performance against Yamaha Jubilo. The 27-year-old still has plenty to give to the Springboks and will be ultra-motivated after an injury in the World Cup opener ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.

Winners are grinners ??? pic.twitter.com/LRWlHEKllq

— Jesse Kriel (@JesseKriel15) March 15, 2021

Jan Serfontein (Montpellier)

The forgotten Springbok, who last donned the Green and Gold against the All Blacks in 2017, has been consistently top-class for Montpellier and used the recent European Challenge Cup final to send a clear message to the Boks selectors. The 28-year-old capped an excellent complete performance by having a key hand in Johan Goosen’s match-winning try and is a problem in both midfield positions. 

André Esterhuizen (Harlequins)

Standing 1.94m tall and weighing 115kg, “André the Giant” is one of the most imposing centres in the world. An unstoppable force on attack and immovable object on defence, Esterhuizen’s physicality is up there with the game’s biggest bruisers but occasionally lands him in hot water. He’s been on the sidelines for the past month because of an ongoing six-match suspension, however, his domineering form before the ill-timed ban and physical attributes mean he’s still very much in the mix. 

Springboks Selection Barometer Part 3 – The Back Row

Frans Steyn (Cheetahs)

The two-time World Cup winner looked rusty as the Cheetahs reemerged after two months in the wilderness against an Invitational XV at the weekend, but the veteran proved himself tenfold in the summer. Boasting a superhuman 94% goal-kicking success rate in the recent Currie Cup, many from 60-plus metres out, and unrivalled versatility that makes him a force in every position in the backline bar scrumhalf, Steyn’s an ideal insurance policy who knows what it takes to tame the Lions.

Frans Steyn was this year’s Currie Cup top points scorer (73). He fired off these intercontinental missiles at a kicking accuracy of 94%.

Expect to see him front the Lions for a second time. Still here. Never left.
pic.twitter.com/ES8NOp1bK0

— A-P (@rugby_ap) April 9, 2021

Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)

South African rugby’s “Cinderella Man” has been nothing short of awe-inspiring in his inspirational second act, with the former Springboks winger looking like a new man in a new position after recovering from a life-threatening heart condition. At the heart of the Bulls’ resurgence, including spearheading his team’s Currie Cup triumph with a Man of the Match performance in the final, facing the Lions would be the cherry on top of what’s already arguably the greatest comeback story in South African rugby history.

Jantjies’ French Fling to Help Lions Tackle Fundamental Flaw

The Rest:

Serfontein’s midfield partner at Montpellier, Johan Goosen, was the Man of the Match in the recent European Challenge Cup final, not only scoring the decisive try but being a commanding presence overall. Having played most of his rugby at flyhalf, including for the Springboks, before his move abroad, and having plenty of experience at fullback as well, the Bulls-bound utility back might finally find himself back in the national fold. 
Fleet-footed Wandisile Simelane has been lethal for the Johannesburg-based Lions and is a future Springbok, robust Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been on a mission to add to his one and only Test cap since joining Sale in 2018, while Blitzboks and Stormers star Ruhan Nel has been part of the wider Springboks squad in the past and offers versatility and flair.