Rassie Erasmus faces flyhalf abundance but lock dilemmas ahead of the new season

As the Springboks prepare for a new international season, depth at flyhalf is a position of strength — but concerns in the second row are troubling head coach Rassie Erasmus.

While it is not currently a crisis, like when the Boks went into the 2023 Rugby World Cup with only one fit No 10, Erasmus admitted that the concern for him lies in the second row, with few players coming through at the moment.

The Bulls’ Ruan Nortjé and Salmaan Moerat of the Stormers are the only young locks in terms of enough caps at the highest level, but with the older statesmen still showing their muscle, it’s been difficult for others to crack a nod at the top. Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese made his debut recently, while the Sharks’ Jason Jenkins is also an option.

Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, and Jean Kleyn are all still available for the Boks; however, should injuries occur in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup and when some of them possibly retire after the tournament, the world champions will be low on experienced lock stocks.

In contrast to the flyhalf situation before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Erasmus can now decide between World Cup winners Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok, utility back Damian Willemse, sensational newcomer Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Jordan Hendrikse of the Sharks, who appears to have rediscovered the form that made him a Springbok.

According to Erasmus, he is pleased with what they have at No 10 ahead of the new season, but the lock position is his concern.

“If you look at our depth in the second row in terms of the age bracket and the number of games players have played, we are lacking, maybe. We are a bit thin,” Erasmus said.

“However, if we are in trouble, we will have to make a plan. Every player we bring in, we must get him to understand our system and how it works. Salmaan has done the job for us. I know there are a lot of people who criticise him. But he does things for us in the team.

“We also have Ruan (Nortjé), and we tried the other Ruan (Venter) of the Lions to see if he could play at lock. We are also looking at someone like David Ribbans, not that they must get their hopes up.”

Ribbans is a former England international, but could become available for the Boks in the near future. He is currently playing in France and will soon complete the stand-down period. That will make him available for his country of birth.

Former Sharks lock JJ van der Mescht, also playing in France, is also a player the Springboks are looking at.

On the flyhalf stocks, Erasmus is smiling broadly.

He only had Manie Libbok as the fit flyhalf at the 2023 Rugby World Cup before Pollard joined ahead of the playoffs. Now, there are ample playmakers to choose from depending on the gameplan the Boks want to follow.

“Six flyhalves might sometimes not be enough, but having our three currently, plus Jordan, we feel safe. But then in two weeks, three guys go down, and then Damian is your starting guy with Jordan having to play a big match.

“Spreading the load will be important. Like when Jordan and his brother Jaden played against Wales, they have that experience together.”