As they overlook the glistening Mediterranean from their hotel in Sablettes outside Toulon, Bok bosses Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber would, since their arrival, have mostly observed a becalmed sea.
The weather has treated the Springboks well since they made this their base for the Rugby World Cup.
Rarely has there been a gust, or a sudden swell to alter their course.
Their early conclusion to the pool stages has allowed them to take their foot off the pedal in training, but be sure that behind the scenes the Bok brains trust is busy plotting and scheming for the quarterfinals, should they get there, and beyond.
Never mind whether they meet hosts France or fellow three-time winners New Zealand in the quarterfinals, they need to answer a few questions internally before they can make their way to Stade de France next Saturday.
The arrival of flyhalf Handré Pollard and centre Lukhanyo Am, as comforting as that must be, does make their selection process far from simple for the quarterfinals.
While the pair were still recuperating from their respective injuries Pollard and Am had 100 caps and nine Rugby World Cup play-off matches between them.
That is a lot of IP not in play.
Both, given their track record, make a compelling case for involvement in the later stages of the tournament but Erasmus and Nienaber need no reminding of the risks attached to tinkering with what appears a settled unit.
To be fair, their actions are mostly driven by “rugby decisions” and in this instance they are likely to stay true to the prevailing stable base available to them.
Libbok, however, should be seen as the incumbent, especially with Pollard having only 50 Test minutes under the belt in 13 months.
It is hard to think of a flyhalf that has given the Boks more fluidity and variety in their attack than Libbok. They’ve looked a different beast since he made his debut on last year’s end of year tour. Libbok had brought dash and dare to a team that historically invests in the percentages.
His goal kicking, however, has invited criticism. Libbok has not made the position his own, primarily because of his inability to bring more consistency off the tee.
Though he kicked three from three against Tonga, the stigma will remain.
His detractors will argue that he can’t find the middle of the uprights when the heat is on.
Libbok, however, doesn’t shrink when the occasion demands he steps forward. It is a point argued with much fervour by captain Siya Kolisi and his franchise head coach John Dobson.
“Early on when he was with us he had an awful game in Durban. I told him ‘don’t worry, you play next week’.” He got a helluva return for backing him.
Dobson concurred that Libbok’s touchline conversion in the United Rugby Championship semifinal against Ulster last year would not have raised the flags had he not possessed big match temperament.
“He had missed three or four before that. He put it behind him.”
Pollard, on his return to the side, did everything expected of him in the 49-18 defeat of Tonga last Sunday. Slotting four from four would have settled many Bok nerves.
Pollard brings the ice-in-the-vein chill off the kicking tee as well as the institutional knowledge of how knock-out matches are won.
He has seen it all before through triumphs in the Rugby Championship, the RWC and a series win over the British and Irish Lions.
Libbok, however, should be seen as the incumbent, especially with Pollard having only 50 Test minutes under the belt in 13 months.
Am is back in the fray but he too may have to yield to the man in possession. Jesse Kriel, who has been playing in the No 13 jersey in Am’s absence, has been one of the team’s standout performers, especially on defence.
Am, though one of the sport’s intuitive geniuses, will need to get fully up to speed before being considered in the running for a start in a RWC knock-out game.
From their vantage point in sunny Sablettes, Erasmus and Co will do well to attach themselves to the maritime phrase “steady as she goes”.
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