Could the Springboks take the ultimate risk with their Malcolm Marx replacement?
Springboks Handre Pollard fly-half lines up a kick.
Springboks fans’ worst fears were realised on Thursday as the team confirmed that star hooker Malcolm Marx has been ruled out for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup with a “long-term” knee injury sustained in training this week.
It is a hammer blow with Marx a key player in the way the Springboks play, using their depth from the bench and at hooker in tandem with Bongi Mbonambi.
The Springboks have not announced a replacement as of yet and Planet Rugby takes a closer look at the options the world champions have at their disposal.
Obvious choice
The immediate reaction for most would be to draft in another hooker given the specialist nature of the position. In this case, Joseph Dweba would be next in line and it would be a relatively seamless transition for him to join the squad given his involvement in the set-up in recent years.
Dweba is a physical beast and would be a safe bet in that aspect but has at times been inaccurate with line-out throwing. However, to his credit, this is something he has worked on tremendously hard with the Stormers and has shown development in that regard.
Risky wild card
Head coach Jacques Nienaber says in the press release that the team has “enough cover” at hooker for now with Deon Fourie being named as the replacement for the Romania clash. The veteran has played a fairly extended period of his career at hooker but not recently nor at Test level. However, he does add the breakdown threat that Marx does.
The third choice cover is flanker Marco van Staden who was seen practising his line-out throws in training this week. One would think only in an emergency would the loose forward be required to step into the front-row.
Whilst the duo are not necessarily front-line options it does offer the Springboks a unique opportunity, albeit laced with risk, to tend to their goal-kicking issue by calling up 2019 winner Handre Pollard. The composed pivot has been back in training with Leicester Tigers and is only a couple of hours from France.
It would be a bold decision from the Bok management but not surprising given the brains trust’s reputation for fearless innovation.
Handre Pollard: cool as ice ❄️
An absolutely nerveless kick with the pressure on at #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/FOkzT0UBRV
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 18, 2019
READ MORE: Massive blow for Springboks as Malcolm Marx ruled out of Rugby World Cup
