Springboks Rugby

Springboks Face a Complex picks Conundrum at Scrumhalf following Sadden News

The Springboks face a complex selection conundrum at scrumhalf following the news that Faf de Klerk will be out for an extended period.

The Springboks have made a strong start to the 2024 season, but one of the main objectives for this year will be to successfully secure an elusive Rugby Championship title.

Although some players such as Jasper Wiese, Steven Kitshoff and Canan Moodie will be available for the remaining games against the All Blacks and Argentina, it is believed that Faf de Klerk will not be back from injury in time to feature in the southern hemisphere competition.

It does present an interesting selection call to be made at scrumhalf considering the Springboks have shared game-time between Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg up until this point this season.

When it comes to the back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks, it perhaps stands to reason that the experience of Reinach will see him crack the nod at No 9, but he is now 34 years old, and Rassie Erasmus will want to begin looking beyond the veteran at some point.

Jaden Hendrikse’s recent return from injury may offset the loss of De Klerk to some degree, as the 24-year-old appears to be finding his form again after four months out with a shoulder injury.

It also remains to be seen whether the Springboks will finally back Williams to make another long-awaited start at scrumhalf after primarily playing off the bench.

The Springboks are well-placed in the Rugby Championship

South Africa top the table after their victories over the Wallabies in Brisbane and Perth, and their focus is on continuing to build on this with two Tests against New Zealand and Argentina respectively lined up.

The Boks overcame challenging weather conditions in Perth on Saturday to register a 30-12 victory against the Wallabies after recording a 33-7 win against them in Brisbane last week.

“We are very excited that we could build on last week’s result, and it was particularly pleasing with all the players getting opportunities to play,” said Cheslin Kolbe.

“It was special, but there’s a lot more to come. We certainly couldn’t have asked for a better start in the competition especially winning two games away from home, but we have to progress as the competition goes on.

“We’ll keep our feet on the ground and continue working hard in the weeks leading up to the games against New Zealand in South Africa which is going to be massive. As a team we are looking forward giving back in South Africa at the packed stadiums.

“As coach Rassie (Erasmus) said after the game, we haven’t achieved this in years, and we are definitely in a good position (in the competition), but we won’t just leave it at that and be complacent because we know the next two games are going to be tough. Tests between the All Blacks and Springboks are always tough matches.”

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