Time to unleash the fringe Springboks on UK tour

In a week from today the Springboks face Wales in the first of three Tests on their November tour of the UK. 

And what an opportunity there is for some fringe Boks to get some much-needed and deserved game-time.

It is one thing to be part of a Bok squad, it is quite another to actually play for the Boks.

While Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have built some good depth and given several players an opportunity to play, now is the time to again give a few seasoned men, who’ve been part of the squad for a long time, an extended run.

Injuries to Frans Malherbe and Faf de Klerk have opened the door for Trevor Nyakane and Herschel Jantjies to get more time in the heat of battle.

We all know how valuable Nyakane is to the Boks and that he can play tighthead as well as loosehead, but with Malherbe not on tour, why not give the Bulls man three Test starts in the No 3 jersey? It can only benefit the Boks, and the player, in the long run.

Also, with De Klerk absent – and sure Cobus Reinach has caught the eye – there is a chance for Jantjies to get a proper run at No 9. He has, after all, been the back-up since before the World Cup.

The Boks will miss De Klerk on tour…it’s a massive blow. He brings calm and he’s got that ability to transfer the pressure onto the opposition, and Jantjies and Reinach can still learn that ability.

However, they bring something different to the set-up, and for Jantjies it is a wonderful opportunity to show what he can do in foreign conditions.

I’d also really like to see Elton Jantjies get more game-time. He’s an experienced campaigner, but needs to play more regularly. 

Also, Damian Willemse – if he’s still seen as the utility back to fill the boots of Frans Steyn when he retires – then he needs to play more. I’d like to see him get a go at 12.

I think Willie le Roux is still very much the management’s first-choice fullback, but there’s no harm in trying out Aphelele Fassi in one of the games. 

Also, I’m sure we’ll see more of Steyn, especially after his strong showing in the Boks’ last Test against New Zealand.

Finally, I’d like to see Duane Vermeulen only play a limited amount of rugby on tour. He’s a crucial member of the team and if he’s going to go to the 2023 World Cup he’ll need to be managed very carefully over the next two years.

With exciting youngsters Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw not picked to tour, it seems Nienaber is backing Jasper Wiese as Vermeulen’s back-up – as we have seen this year. 

If that is the case, then Wiese needs to play, and what an opportunity against three big teams during November.

My starting team for Wales: Fassi, Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi, E Jantjies, H Jantjies, Vermeulen, Wiese, Kolisi, De Jager, Etzebeth, Nyakane, Mbonambi, Kitshoff.

• Our new rugby columnist, Jonathan Mokuena, has recently been appointed the new head coach of the University of Johannesburg Varsity Cup side. Mokuena also previously led the NWU-Pukke to the Varsity Cup title in 2016 and is a former provincial player and coach, and BlitzBoks captain. He is a World Rugby level-three qualified coach and respected rugby analyst.