Springboks facing backline selection conundrum
South Africa beat England on Saturday. The win secures their job security through to the 2023 World Cup. Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber's futures were in doubt before the tour.
The Springboks finished the year with a strong performance against Italy and England. Damian Willemse, Willie le Roux and Manie Libbok are the players who have impressed the selectors this year. Handre Pollard's future is uncertain. The build-up to the 2023 World Cup begins to intensify. The coach needs to settle on his preferred backline. He needs a solution to this problem. It is a problem that has begun to take shape. For example, Willemsse has started in 11 out of 12 Tests this season.
Le Roux is a playmaker and game-reading visionary for the Springboks. The team's attack looks better when Le Rouz is connecting the dots in the backline.
Willemse is the incumbent fly-half, Le Roux is full-back and Pollard is currently injured. The Springboks have to balance their backline before the World Cup. Willemse can play in all three positions. Damian de Allende is an option at inside centre. The Boks will play six-two forwards-to-backs on the bench.
Libbok emerged as the breakthrough star on the end-of-year tour. Frans Steyn and Elton Jantjies will also have their own plans of entering the selection conversation before the 2023 World Cup. Willemse and Le Roux's performances have dramatically changed the landscape. Pollard has found himself on a sidelines.
