DURBAN, October 28 (ANA) – The Springboks are likely to opt for continuity when the squad is announced for the upcoming end-of-year tour, but Saturday’s Currie Cup final does provide one final opportunity for some players to impress.
Coach Allister Coetzee will announce his Springbok squad of 34 players on Sunday, a day after the Currie Cup final, with the squad then set to assemble in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.
The Boks will kick-off their UK tour with a clash against Ireland on November 11, before coming up against France, Italy and Wales.
At the conclusion of the Rugby Championship, Coetzee intimated that he would mostly stick with the players who had done duty during that competition, but also admitted that he would be keeping a close eye on proceedings during the latter stages of the Currie Cup.
With the Sharks and Western Province progressing to what should be a classic final in Durban on Saturday, there may well be a few players who could force their way into the reckoning should they produce an eye-catching performance.
One of these players will certainly be young Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who earned his first Test cap off the bench against Argentina earlier this year, before returning to the Sharks with a clear directive to work on certain aspects of his game.
To his credit, Bosch has responded impressively as he’s marshalled proceedings with aplomb as the Sharks have progressed to another title decider. He would be expected to have already sewn up his place in the end-of-year squad.
Saturday’s final will also be a massive occasion for powerful Sharks prop Thomas du Toit and his opposite number Wilco Louw, who will both be hoping to cement a place in the Bok squad.
Similarly, impressive opposing locks Ruan Botha and JD Schickerling have both been spoken of as future Boks, but the fact remains that the Boks are blessed with depth in the No 5 positions, with Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Franco Mostert all sure to retain their places.
Otherwise, keep an eye out for Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am, winger Kobus van Wyk, Western Province flyhalf Robert du Preez, winger Seabelo Senatla and flanker Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who have all been spoken of as potential Bok bolters.
Sharks No 8 Dan du Preez and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder will also be looking to make a statement about their credentials to earn a first Test cap on the end-of-year tour, while WP winger Dillyn Leyds will be aiming to once again display his prowess out wide.
The Bok squad is set to be named around midday on Sunday.
Possible squad:
Forwards – Uzair Cassiem, Lood de Jager, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Beast Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Ruan Dreyer, Chiliboy Ralepelle.
Backs – Curwin Bosch, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronjé, Damian de Allende, Warrick Gelant, Louis Schreuder, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Rudy Paige, Handré Pollard, S’bu Nkosi (if fit)/Raymond Rhule, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Lukhanyo Am. – African News Agency (ANA),
