Springboks: Five selection talking points including Cheslin Kolbe at 15 and Damian Willemse at 10

Dylan Coetzee
Springboks: Split image with Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse and Rassie Erasmus

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has announced his starting team for their first Autumn Nations Series clash against world number one Ireland on Saturday.

Nienaber selected a mostly settled line-up with the inclusion of an exciting looking back three, with Cheslin Kolbe starting his first Test at full-back.

Planet Rugby breaks down five selection points from the Springboks‘ starting XV ahead of the Dublin clash.

Kolbe at 15

The hot-stepping star has played a significant portion of his club career at full-back, particularly during his time at the Stormers but has never started a Test match in the 15 jersey. In fairness, there has never been a great temptation to push the superstar to full-back because of how effective he has been on the wing. Enter Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Arendse has been sublime in Test rugby this year in a very similar mould to Kolbe in his ability to beat players in one-on-ones, sheer pace and brilliant game awareness. Now Nienaber has two hot steppers alongside the prolific Makazole Mapimpi in the back three.

Immediately, the aerial battle springs to mind as to whether the two smaller players in the back three can handle the high ball against Ireland. Both Kolbe and Arendse are great in the air, but Ireland and Johnny Sexton are a very clever side who will look for ways to exploit this. That being said, Ireland will have to ensure their kick chase is evident throughout the game, as the duo are slippery in broken play.

However, selecting Kolbe at full-back and, in turn, opening a spot for another elusive runner could be the transformation of the backline required to be more dynamic and ultimately score more tries.

Think of Kolbe popping up in the backline where he chooses, perhaps identifying mismatches to take on or using his step to create space on the outside. There is a lot to be excited about with the Springboks’ back three as long as they can execute the fundamentals of defensive positioning, tactical kicking and competing well in the air.

Midfield

The midfield partnership of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel has to be on song against Ireland, who boast a group of quality players to deploy in their midfield.

De Allende will offer what he always does; good go-forward ball and committed defence. The advantage here is the Springbok’s time playing for Munster in Ireland, where his experience against the Irish players will go a long way in helping secure the midfield for South Africa.

Kriel, on the other hand, has a big role to play. Outside centre is a crucial position within the defensive structure that the Springboks play, and decision-making will be paramount. The centre is accomplished and has played solidly at 13 when filling in for the injured Lukhanyo Am, but he will need to offer his absolute best this weekend on both sides of the ball for his side to get the most out of the game.

Damian Willemse’s biggest challenge at fly-half

The versatile superstar has quickly developed into one of the first names on the team-sheet for Nienaber in 2022, with only the number on his back the real debate.

Willemse has stood up and stood strong during the Springboks’ fly-half crisis, stepping into the position with which he began his career at the Stormers.

The 24-year-old added some much-needed dynamism to the South African attack from the 10 channel earlier this year and has a complete skill set. His ability to beat defenders, distribute brilliantly, kick well out of hand and composure in decision-making make him the obvious and effective choice at fly-half. The only downfall of Willemse at 10 is that his goal-kicking could be more consistent.

Regardless, facing Sexton will undoubtedly be his biggest Test as a fly-half. The rugby world is so accustomed to Sexton pulling the strings and orchestrating just about every game he plays. The Irish veteran truly is a rugby genius. It will be a fascinating battle between a wise, calculated player and a young, instinctual prodigy.

Tight five

Ireland are an extremely well-drilled side, particularly regarding set-piece. This is evident from top to bottom, with their United Rugby Championship sides showing strength in the area.

The Springboks rely on set-piece dominance as part of their game-plan, and even though there is a far more dynamic backline in play this weekend, this does not change despite the Irish side’s strength.

However, looking at the tight five, Nienaber has selected world-class players, all of which have more than 50 Test caps. Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe are an absolute powerhouse of a front-row who are all extremely solid in their fundamental skills, while Kitshoff and Marx offer more in broken play and at the breakdown.

This second-row pairing picks itself and is racking up an impressive tally of caps as a duo. Eben Eztebeth and Lood de Jager are precisely what the Springboks need in what will be an arm-wrestle of Test.

Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. That will be the message from Nienaber, and if these five players can perform on the day with the strength the Springboks have on the bench, that could be one of the important battles won.

Rassie’s return

This weekend’s Test also marks the return of director of rugby Rassie Erasmus to matchday activities which could not be more important for the Springboks’ prospects against Ireland and on tour.

Erasmus has an astute analytical mind with the most incredible ability to read games that are playing out in front of him, allowing him to make brilliant decisions on the go during the game. Something he is even better at doing alongside Nienaber.

Adding to that is the 49-year-old’s time at Munster, where he would have gained an in-depth understanding of Irish rugby and the philosophy that powers their game.

As far as Springboks line-ups go, Nienaber’s selection is probably the strongest team he could have picked, with some exciting combinations being trialled as well as trust in old and working systems to lay the foundations. As a result, this weekend holds a truly intriguing encounter.

READ MORE: Springboks: Cheslin Kolbe returns at full-back and Damian Willemse at 10 for Ireland showdown