The Springboks are set to head into a season-opening fixture against the Barbarians on 28 June, and it will be fascinating to see what sort of team Rassie Erasmus envisages for such a clash.

Considering this is a warm-up fixture of sorts, it’s unlikely that Erasmus would select a first-choice team, but he probably would want to mix and match with selection in order to at least build some momentum before the first Tests of the year against Italy and Georgia in July.

It’s likely that he will include some newcomers alongside a few stalwarts, and here is how we think the first Springbok selection of the year could look.

OUR SPRINGBOK TEAM PREDICTION

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

This sort of team would enable the Springbok coaches to take a look at some key players in all-important positions such as No 8, hooker and loosehead prop, while perhaps even giving a relatively low-pressure opportunity to Varsity Cup star Ntokozo Makhaza.

Leading players who have recently worked their way back from injury such as Damian Willemse and Lood de Jager could also get an opportunity to return to Springbok action.

Recently, the Barbarians revealed three Test centurions – Sam Cane, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray – with a combined tally of 352 caps as the first players for their squad to take on the Springboks in Cape Town next month, and so the Springboks also won’t want to take the game too lightly.

“We have no doubt they will name several more top-class players in the coming weeks, so this match will set the tone for us to switch into full-out competitive mode from the outset,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

“I’ve worked with Peter and Conor before, and we know Sam very well – they are quality players with a lot of experience, which will serve as a great test at the start of a big season.

“We are very excited about the season ahead, and as a team, we are blessed to enjoy such passionate support from our fans throughout the country. We are busy putting the building blocks in place for the season, which starts in a little over a month against the Barbarians.”