South Africa - State Of The Nation

Brighton debacle consigned to history
The Springboks are over their shocker against Japan and are on the way to the quarter-final. While a good performance against the USA would be preferable, it is not a crucial game in that a few first-choice players need to be rested, a few of those fortunate to be at the World Cup need to play, and no campaign momentum is to be gained by a midweek fixture against the USA when the Boks are already in the play-offs.

Steyn and Paige
Choosing Rudy Paige as third scrumhalf ahead of Cobus Reinach, Faf de Klerk, and Francois Hougaard was Heyneke Meyer’s most controversial selection. Wednesday is likely to be Paige’s only game in the green-and-gold, at this World Cup at least, and there will be much interest in his performance, albeit against the number 16 team in the world. Why Meyer saw the need for Morné Steyn as a third flyhalf , when he already had Handré Pollard and Patrick Lambie, remains a mystery, but Steyn should get the opportunity to end his Bok career as a World Cup player, and add to his Bok points tally, on Wednesday.

Selection quandaries ahead
Whom would you select for the quarter-final starting team? Du Plessis or Strauss as hooker? Pollard or Lambie at flyhalf? Alberts or Burger at blindside? Matfield or De Jager as Etzebeth’s lock partner?

Currie Cup defence in tatters
With the entire Springbok squad obviously out of the Currie Cup, and so many South Africans contracted to overseas clubs, what is left of the Currie Cup is a much watered-down version of what had for many decades been a magnificent competition. The Lions have been wonderful; the other teams each in turn disappointing. The real concern of Currie Cup 2015 is the paltry defence, with a host of tries being scored each week against disorganised defences. The emphasis on attack is fine as far as it goes, perhaps providing fun for the few spectators and TV viewers still interested, but the weak defensive structures are a worry, especially since many of these players would hope to be playing Super Rugby next year.

Eastern Province horror show
How sad a situation is it for South African rugby when the Eastern Province Kings players feel the need to wear white armbands in a Currie Cup match to protest against the non-payment of salaries to players and management? There were salary payment tissues in June and July, again in August, and now again at the end of September. SARU has prevailed on SANZAR to allow EP Kings back into Super Rugby 2016, but the current EP chaos bodes ill for next year.