The Springboks are fine-tuning ahead of the Rugby World Cup that kicks off next month.
Their remaining matches against Wales and New Zealand might shed some light on the five talking points listed below.
Get out of the blocks
They allowed Australia an early try in their opening Test of the year at Loftus but regrouped splendidly to condemn Eddie Jones to defeat upon his return to the Wallabies’ coaches’ box.
Against the All Blacks, albeit with a vastly different group of players, the Boks were again caught cold. A team as ruthless as the All Blacks needed no second invitation and asserted themselves soon enough, scoring two early tries. Though the Boks steadied the ship and rallied well, the damage suffered in the opening quarter proved their undoing.
Against Argentina in Buenos Aires the Boks were also stuck in the traps. They did not lack effort but their toil was not commensurate with what the scoreboard reflected in the first half.
It was only after the break that they broke the shackles when tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie helped separate the World Champions from Los Pumas.
Wingmen
The next two clashes should help determine who will occupy the two spots on the wing in their World Cup opener against Scotland. Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi are the much enduring heroes from the last World Cup, but Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse have taken to Test rugby with alacrity.
Kolbe remains as decisive as he is elusive, while Mapimpi is a try-scoring machine with 23 touchdowns in 38 Tests.
Arendse is equally adept at finding the try line. His 10 tries in nine Tests is testament to the verve and vigour he applies when put in possession.
Moodie scored a memorable try on debut against Australia last year and touched down in his most recent Test. He has also proved himself a fierce competitor in the way he applies himself in defence and under the high ball.
Erasmus has made it clear they will only go for the Bomb Squad option if their bench gives them like-for-like alternatives.
Back of the pack
Similarly greater clarity could emerge in the next two matches about the Springboks’ starting No.8. Jasper Wiese has been primed for that position as Duane Vermeulen entered the twilight of his Test career, but the Man of the Match in the last World Cup final has been illuminating the stage for the Boks this year.
Vermeulen, who the Bok brains trust intimated earlier this year, could play the role of impact player at the World Cup, has looked like a player who could go the distance.
He captained the team in two of the four Tests this year and he rather warmed to the challenge.
He has been earmarked for the bench for this weekend’s World Cup warm-up clash against Wales in Cardiff, while Wiese gets his third start of the season. The Bok coaches are likely to deploy the pair in those roles in the World Cup, but it hasn’t stopped Vermeulen from making statements of intent. His ability as a pilferer may yet prove a valuable asset as the Boks make their experience count in the closing stages in tight matches.
Bomb Squad deployment
This weekend’s Test against Wales will see the deployment of the Springboks’ Bomb Squad for the third time this season. The Boks used their six/two split in favour of their forwards against Australia and New Zealand but shelved that selection ploy in the two Tests against Argentina. A selection pattern is also starting to emerge in their battles against Wales with Saturday’s clash the fourth time in a row the Boks have opted to heavily favour their forwards in the bench selection.
The Boks haven’t, however, played Pool B rivals Scotland or Ireland often enough in the past four years to glean what they might do in selection.
In the last three Tests against the All Blacks the Boks have opted to go with the Bomb Squad with mixed success.
Erasmus has made it clear they will only go for the Bomb Squad option if their bench gives them like-for-like alternatives.
Next week’s selection against the All Blacks might give a clearer idea of what the Boks’ default setting might be in the World Cup.
Backup kickers
With Manie Libbok, by some distance, the Boks most recognised goal kicker in their 33-man group, Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and co may want to refine their pecking order in the next two games. The order of the backup list should be clearly established and there is no doubt those earmarked to perform those duties would have been hard at work refining their technique in training. Whether that provides adequate simulation for what they will encounter on match day, and its associated pressures, are another matter.
Of course, the goal kicking debate will be kicked into touch should Handré Pollard earn a call-up as an injury replacement.
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