Nienaber discusses the Springbok number 8 position

As is almost tradition, the naming of the Springbok side for this weekend has been met with grumblings in South Africa, most of which pertain to the omission of Stormers number 8 Evan Roos, who remains behind Jasper Wiese and Duane Vermeulen (now injured) in the pecking order in that position. 

Roos had what can easily be called a dream season with the Stormers in the URC this year, proving himself to be a key contributor to his team snatching the title against the Bulls in Cape Town.  

Big, fast, cerebral and hard-working, there was no doubt in the minds of the majority of Springbok fans that Roos would pull on the Green & Gold number 8 jersey in July as Jacques Nienaber’s charges take on Wales in a three-match series. However, against the backdrop of Roos’ dazzling displays, many seem to have forgotten the ferocious physical force that is Jasper Wiese who remains firmly in the plans of the Springbok bosses going forward. 

 “Jasper is a project, a long-term investment,” Nienaber explained. “He’s on 11 caps. When one thinks about planning for the World Cup next year, the ideal is to have a group of experienced players in your squad. It’s only natural then to want to have Jasper gathering more caps. 

“Jasper’s been awesome. We do ‘roadmaps’ or performance analysis on players in our squad in detail. The players get reports once a month or whenever there’s a gap to have a chat. 

“He’s been performing quite well for Leicester and, importantly, in the areas that we want him to perform in.  

“Evan is such a talented player,” Nienaber continued. “I’ve only seen him play at No 8, but honestly, if we pick him at No 7, he’ll play well at No 7. If we pick him at lock, he’ll play well at lock. He’s a player with such a good skill set. 

“Wherever there’s an opportunity, I’m pretty sure he’d take the opportunity with both hands. No matter where it is. The things we want guys like Evan and co to achieve is not necessarily just play Test matches, but having a role and responsibility outside of the Tests, preparing the guys involved in the 23.  

“There are a lot of things we would like to see them handle. That puts them in a good position going into the World Cup.” 

While one would have expected Roos to at least feature on the bench this weekend, Nienaber has gone with powerful Bulls number 8 Elrigh Louw as cover for Wiese. Louw are Salmaan Moerat (lock) are the only two uncapped players in the squad 

“We have a fantastic crop of young players who have really been working hard at training and putting up their hands, and it is pleasing for us as coaches to give Salmaan and Elrigh this opportunity,” Nienaber said. 

“Salmaan was with us on our tour to the UK last season, and despite being so young he brings a different sense of experience as a former Junior Springbok and SA Schools captain, while Elrigh also featured in a World Rugby U20 Championship and has been playing senior provincial rugby for a while. 

“We have a plan for the season in terms of giving some of the young players a chance to show what they can do at international level, while at the same time taking stock of the seasoned campaigners and where they are in terms of their rugby. 

“Unfortunately, with such a big squad there will always be a few unlucky players, but it is a fine balancing act to ensure we win Tests, build squad depth, and transform as a team in the way we play.” 

 Despite the current situation, it is difficult to imagine that Roos will not be given his international debut over the course of this series. The Boks are boasting a wealth of talent at the back of the scrum which is an exciting prospect as the World Cup edges nearer.