Roos out, who makes Bok eight?

07/23/2024 06:17 AM

With incumbent Evan Roos left out of the Rugby Championship squad, Rassie Erasmus faces a big decision over who starts at No 8 for the Springboks in the opening Tests against the Wallabies in Australia.

Erasmus on Tuesday officially announced a 33-player squad for the Rugby Championship campaign, which kicks off against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday, 10 August.

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There is no space in the squad for Evan Roos, after the DHL Stormers No 8 started in the Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein. With Jasper Wiese still suspended, this leaves the Springboks with a interesting choice to make over who completes the back row.

Kwagga Smith, who has mostly been used by Erasmus as an impact player, started in both Test matches against Ireland in Pretoria and Durban. While Smith once again impressed with his work-rate in the series, he did struggle to cope with Ireland’s kicking game, leaving question marks over whether he might be better suited to his former role with the Bomb Squad.

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Elrigh Louw is another who got game time at No 8 in the July Tests, albeit only as a substitute for Roos against Portugal, playing a second-half cameo against Os Lobos. A powerful ball carrier, excellent lineout option and far more secure than Smith under the high ball, Louw did only start two games at No 8 for the Vodacom Bulls last season, but was predominantly utilised at the back of the scrum in the 2022-23 URC season.

Other interesting options for Erasmus to consider at No 8 are Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was mostly used at No 8 for Toyota Verblitz in Japan, captain Siya Kolisi, who got a run at No 8 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

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