Verkykerskop Bok XV

20 April 2016 - 02:21 By Archie Henderson

It's no more than a barroom selection at this point, but when Minister Fikile Mbalula sees the Bok team we've come up with - if he sees it at all - he might even buy a round.The selectors met at the Verkykerskop bar because they take the long view about South African rugby.That view has a strong transformation element, which was how we came up with a Springbok team without a single mlungu. Not even one at lock which, in a transforming team, is the white equivalent of a black wing.And it wasn't that hard, except when it came to the tight five.The team we came up with might not be strong enough to beat the All Blacks (what South African team is?) but it would give the rest a run for their sponsorship cheques.Here's our far-sighted selection from Verkykerskop:Fullback: Cheslin Kolbe, a unanimous choice although there were mutterings from a local about Clayton Blommetjies of the Cheetahs.Did you even know that Verkykerskop is in the Free State?Wings: Spoilt for choice, but Sergeal Petersen got the right-wing berth if only because he was a delight on Friday night, running brilliant lines against the Sunsheep-in-wolves-clothing. Bulls' Travis Ismaiel ran him close, but Petersen's hat-trick tipped the scales.Petersen's teammate, Raymond Rhule, got the left-wing slot if only because he always oozes class and is consistently ignored by national selectors.That laaitie from the Stormers, Leolin Zas, was unlucky, but not Lwazi Mvovo, who is in a poor Sharks team.Centres: Lionel Mapoe and Juan de Jongh, who is also captain. No debate.Flyhalf: There can no longer be any doubt that Elton Jantjies is the man. Even if Handré Pollard and Pat Lambie were fit, they would be hard-pressed to eclipse him.Hopefully the shameful way he was treated at the Stormers when Allister Coetzee was the coach will not be repeated.Scrumhalf: Rudy Paige, who was also a contender to be captain until the vote went to De Jongh.No8: Nizaam Carr. They have played him as a blindside flanker in the Stormers team, but this is where he belongs.Flankers: Siya Kolisi has the experience. He's also clever and brings muscle to the No7 role.On the blindside, it was a close-run thing between Sikhumbuzo Notshe of the Stormers and Uzair Cassiem of the Cheetahs. The latter, even though he's been playing at No7, came through the hard school at Strand High, but since we were in the Free State, and since he's already a Bok and now over his injuries, Oupa Mohoje got the nod.Props: "The Beast" is still a beast at loosehead, but we're beginning to wonder how long Tendai Mtawarira will be around in the green and gold. Many of his early contemporaries are now in their bath chairs, figuratively speaking.Trevor Nyakane, also a loosehead, can play tighthead although there is the promising Bulls man Lizo Gqoboka who could step up.Hooker: Scarra Ntubeni gives the scrum greater vigour than his Stormers rival, Mbongeni Mbonambi.Locks: We left this till last because it was the most difficult. Hilton Lobberts, the Cheetahs flanker, can step in as an emergency but the cupboard is not quite bare.If the Sharks had more faith in him, Giant Mtyanda could prove himself, especially now that he appears to be over an injury. The Sharks gave Hyron Andrews a run at the weekend and although he will not solve their lineout problems, he could also benefit from game time.The Stormers might consider the same for Jurie van Vuuren, but they have a surfeit of locks. And Marvin Orie at the Bulls looks as if he could be the real thing.Just as we were getting to the eight reserves, the barman called last round. There's just no justice for black rugby players...

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