The Springboks over the past 4 years, have arguably been the team to come closest to the All Blacks, consistently staying in the number 2 spot. However, over the past year, political involvement in the sport has resulted in teams and coaches picked who are not the best at all. The SARU will have to pay Allister Coetzee, the Springboks Coach R13 million to get him out of his contract after a shocking year, which resulted in only 4 wins for the Springboks in 13 games.
Them the Boks were below par against Ireland in June, signs of improvement were shown from the first to the third test. As a result, not a lot of attention was payed towards the performances, as one would assume, with a number of Lion's players playing superbly, and with time to work with these players, the Boks would be better by the end of the year. In fact, they only got worse, and it's painfully evident that it's not necessarily the players, but the coaches who are out of their depth.
In fact, I would rate the first Springbok team from June would beat Italy by 10 points and the team from the third test by 14. It's also no secret that there is so much talent overseas, which are poached by French clubs. CJ Stander, Quinn Roux, Scott Spedding, WP Nel amongst others are all South African born, but currently play for NH teams. With the amount of players overseas that are still eligible for Springbok selection if need be, here is a team that would probably beat the current Springbok team.
1. Guthro Steenkamp
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Jacques Du Plessis
5. Paul Willemse
6. Heinrech Brussow
7. Marcell Coetzee
8. Pierre Spies/Duane Vermuelen
9. Ricky Januarie
10. Demetri Catrakilis
11. Paul Jordaan
12. Francois Steyn
13. Wynand Olivier
14. Bryan Habana
15. Zane Kirchner
16. Schalk Brits
17. Thomas du Toit
18. Brian Mujati
19. Andries Bekker
20. Wiaan Liebenberg
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Willie le Roux
23. Jaco Taute
With the correct Coach, like someone like Jake White or Rassie Erasmus, this side would have no problem with the current Bok side. They would probably win by 10-15 points minimum.
Them the Boks were below par against Ireland in June, signs of improvement were shown from the first to the third test. As a result, not a lot of attention was payed towards the performances, as one would assume, with a number of Lion's players playing superbly, and with time to work with these players, the Boks would be better by the end of the year. In fact, they only got worse, and it's painfully evident that it's not necessarily the players, but the coaches who are out of their depth.
In fact, I would rate the first Springbok team from June would beat Italy by 10 points and the team from the third test by 14. It's also no secret that there is so much talent overseas, which are poached by French clubs. CJ Stander, Quinn Roux, Scott Spedding, WP Nel amongst others are all South African born, but currently play for NH teams. With the amount of players overseas that are still eligible for Springbok selection if need be, here is a team that would probably beat the current Springbok team.
1. Guthro Steenkamp
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Jacques Du Plessis
5. Paul Willemse
6. Heinrech Brussow
7. Marcell Coetzee
8. Pierre Spies/Duane Vermuelen
9. Ricky Januarie
10. Demetri Catrakilis
11. Paul Jordaan
12. Francois Steyn
13. Wynand Olivier
14. Bryan Habana
15. Zane Kirchner
16. Schalk Brits
17. Thomas du Toit
18. Brian Mujati
19. Andries Bekker
20. Wiaan Liebenberg
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Willie le Roux
23. Jaco Taute
With the correct Coach, like someone like Jake White or Rassie Erasmus, this side would have no problem with the current Bok side. They would probably win by 10-15 points minimum.
