With incumbent Evan Roose left out of the Rugby Championship squad, Rassie Erasmus faces a big decision over who will take over as the Springboks’ No.8 for the opening Test against the Wallabies in Australia.
Erasmus officially announced its 33-man squad for the Rugby Championship on Tuesday, which begins on Saturday, August 10 in Brisbane against the Wallabies.
Please leave your comments below!
There is no place in the squad for Evan Roos after the DHL Stormers No. 8 started in the Test match against Portugal in Bloemfontein. With Jasper Wiese still suspended, the Springboks have an interesting choice to make as to who will complete the back row.
Quagga Smith, who was used primarily as an impact player at Erasmus, was selected for both Test matches against Ireland in Pretoria and Durban. Smith once again impressed with his work rate in the series, but struggled to cope with Ireland’s kicking game, and questions remained as to whether he would be better suited to his previous role in the Bomb Squad.
SQUAD: Marx is fit but Boks have Faf out
Elrigh Louw is another player who has had game time at No. 8 in the July Tests, coming only as a substitute for Roos against Portugal and then a second-half appearance against Os Lobos. A strong ball-carrier, excellent lineout option and much more comfortable than Smith in high-ball situations, Louw only started two games at No. 8 for the Vodacom Bulls last season, but has been used primarily behind the scrum in the 2022-23 URC season.
Other interesting options for the number eight that Erasmus could consider include Peter-Stephen Du Toit, who has mainly played in the number eight for Japan’s Toyota Verblitz, captain Siya Kolisi, who has been in the number eight for French giants Racing 92 in the Top 14, Ben-Jason Dixon, a like-for-like replacement for Du Toit, and Marco van Staden.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
