THE oddity about Saturday\u2019s Test against Argentina at King\u2019s Park are battles within the squad as players jockey for position in the 31-man Rugby World Cup squad.<\/p>\n
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has not given every one in the 40-man squad a run\u201a but with nothing riding on next week\u2019s friendly in Buenos Aires\u201a Meyer will know who is he taking with to the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
He is still faced with tough choices foisted on him by injuries.<\/p>\n
Of the 23 that will be doing duty\u201a there are five who have a point to prove.<\/p>\n
Vincent Koch: Trevor Nyakane\u2019s versatility and Frans Malherbe\u2019s excellence puts Koch in serious doubt despite his breakthrough season and not-so-shabby Bok performances. While Meyer tends to be selective with his experience\u201a from a cap perspective\u201a he is the greenhorn prop. With Marcel van der Merwe on the bench\u201a there will be added pressure on him. Having recovered from a rib problem\u201a Koch will now want to prove himself.<\/p>\n
Siya Kolisi: This is the hardest position one can try to break into and Kolisi is playing his first Test in nearly two years\u201a meaning he will have a hard task proving to Meyer that he deserves to be on the plane to the United Kingdom. Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen still have to return\u201a which will make his battle that much harder.<\/p>\n
Lood de Jager: In Victor Matfield\u2019s absence\u201a the baby-faced De Jager has taken to lineout calling like a duck to water \u2014 and with the physicality that Matfield cannot provide. However\u201a it leaves the Boks light on leadership and experience\u201a and Pieter-Steph du Toit\u2019s return will not make it easier for him considering the Western Province-bound man is a natural No5. De Jager has been retreaded into the position with a degree of current success\u201a but has it been enough to guarantee him a trip?<\/p>\n
Jean de Villiers: He was always going to be guaranteed a starting place but the Damian de Allende-Jesse Kriel axis has introduced a wanted but unexpected midfield question that needs urgent answering. There is no doubt about De Villiers\u2019s vast experience and class\u201a but current form with no international rugby in a long time poses questions. One of them being: Can his body hold up? On the other hand\u201a can the Boks afford not to have his leadership on the park after their recent late-game meltdowns?<\/p>\n
Lwazi Mvovo: With Kriel being a stock fullback that is being retreated at centre and wing\u201a Mvovo\u2019s wing and fullback versatility has now been thrown into serious doubt. He has not had much of a look-in under Meyer\u2019s reign and \u201csquad member\u201d is becoming an unwanted tag. Meyer has been reluctant to give backline players of colour long on-field stints\u201a shown by Lionel Mapoe\u2019s farcical two minute debut against New Zealand two weeks ago. Mvovo\u2019s talent is not in doubt\u201a but does Meyer have sufficient faith in him? \u2013 The Times<\/p>\n
Source: RDM News Wire.<\/p>\n