Back-Row Battle

From a South African perspective, operation first concern should be to cement Siya Kolisi in the nr 7 jumper. Recently Siya has been jumping between positions six and seven quite frequently and the shift is most probably unpleasantly disturbing. The roles differ immensely and to reset your approach every single week would make life tough on any professional athlete. As of 2018, Siya Kolisi found himself wearing the big C on his chest and one would like some stability in position, and in performance from your captain.

The past has proven that the captain’s role goes a long way in determining world cup glory. Some rumors have it that Francois Pienaar might not have been the best option at six in 1995, as is the fact that Gary Botha, Lukas van Biljon, Schalk Brits, Adriaan Strauss and  Bismark du Plessis all at some point might have been a better option for Jake White regarding the number two jumper during his reign as Springbok coach, but no one came even remotely close to leading their respective squads as well as Francois and John had done.

Recently Eben Etsebeth and Warren Whitley lead the Springboks and they both did a fantastic job of it, but things changed on June the 9^th. Siya Kolisi was elected Captain of the Springboks on the 28^th of May 2018 and the media had a blast. Being named the first black African captain of the renowned Springboks made headlines all over the world. Personally the story of the first black African person to lead out the Springboks didn’t faze me too much, as I strive to look beyond color. However, what did faze me abundantly was the story of a kid, growing up in a township, being raised by his grandmother, coming from dirt poor circumstances and changing the stars to fulfill his destiny and become the captain and leader of a national rugby side. That fazed me! It’s an unbelievable journey and the feeling that filled Ellis Park on June the 9^th, was a feeling only experienced in 1995 when Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar lifted the William Webb Ellis Trophy. For the first time since 1995, rugby felt united in South Africa. One team, supported by the whole of South Africa. It really is something special to experience…. 

All that said, I love the fact that Springbok rugby took the first step to becoming a power house once again, by  structuring the leadership within the group. Siya Kolisi, Warren Whitley, Eben Etsabeth all have worn the armband and with senior personnel such as Duane Vermeulen the job becomes seemingly easier.   

Rassie Erasmus, selected old stalwart Francois Louw and rookie Marco van Staden in his squad of 35. Both these players are known for their ability to play towards the ball. In South Africa, (and only in South Africa) the player in the number 6 jumper plays towards the ball. In recent years the position is often referred to as the “fetcher”. The player makes a menace of himself at every breakdown opportunity whilst the player in the number 7 jersey takes the ball up over the advantage line and carries the ball into space. While the number 6 defends close to the rucks the number 7 is often found out wide defending behind the backline. The rest of the globe has the same approach, but everywhere else in the world the number 7 plays in the close quarters whereas the number 6 plays the part of the bigger, stronger ball carrier playing trade a channel wider. 

I would love for Siya Kolisi to own that number 7 jumper. Make it his own, and to see Erasmus backing him up. Opt for a real live-wire in the number 6 jersey that can actually contest for the ball at every breakdown. If not, Matt Todd and David Pocock will have the time of their lives poaching balls galore all championship long. Now is the time to invest heavily in our captain and to get the balance right in the back row. Obviously Duane Vermeulen and Warren Whitley has two totally different approaches to the number eight role, but we could use that to our advantage.

Jean Luc du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Cyle Brink can fight out the spot on the bench and the competition would be healthy if anything. I love the fact that an amazing youngster with heaps loads of potential such as Du Preez has to fight for playing rights, and the fact that he can gain so much from senior personal such as Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen, whilst warming the bench. Proper development and player management is something long forgotten in South African Rugby. For too long has the culture in South Africa been to play the person in form and to drop him as soon as things get tough. By doing so, we never develop players and hence the catastrophe concerning depth at scrumhalf…

Personally, I love the way Steve Hanson is backing up Beauden Barrett. The media all had a fair bit to say about Richie Mo'unga and how he is the inform first five eight at the moment in New Zealand. New Zealand coaches tend to back potential above form and it shows in results! They always tend to back the player in the driving seat and yet their player pool only turns bigger and better.

By the time this article gets published Erasmus will already have announced his 23 players taking on the Pumas from Argentina in their first clash of this year’s Championship, and I would really hope that he strikes the balance perfectly within the back row and hands Kolisi that Golden number 7 jumper before all else.