With Allister Coetzee set to announce his first Springbok squad later this month, there are probably a couple of players who he isn’t quite sure about.
Here are five borderline calls, players who need a big weekend to try and lift themselves into Bok contention for next month’s three-Test series at home against Ireland.
Jan Serfontein (Bulls v Brumbies, today, 11.45am)
With Damian de Allende not at his destructive best at the moment, there could maybe be a bit of a gap for Serfontein to try and sneak into the mix.
The Bulls centre was fantastic last week against the Force, and showed that he has added a bit of panache to go with his power. He ran hard at the line, but also showed off some great skill and a soft pair of hands.
But, with all due respect to the “not so mighty” Force, today’s match against the Brumbies will be the true test of his abilities.
Rudy Paige (Bulls v Brumbies, today 11.45am)
Paige may have felt a lot more pressure than any other player to perform this year after how he was treated in 2015. He hasn’t quite been at his best this season, because it seems like he is trying too hard to prove himself on the field, while injury has also slowed down the little momentum he managed to generate this year.
But today, and over the next few weeks, will be important for the No 9 to show that he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level.
Francois Venter (Waratahs v Cheetahs, tomorrow, 11.45am)
Venter is also fighting hard for one of those midfield positions in the national team and, like Serfontein, he will face a big test of his credentials against the Waratahs tomorrow.
Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale are two of the best players in the world on their own, but when they are playing next to one another, they are almost unstoppable.
Venter has been one of the standout players in a Cheetahs team who are never really going to pull a Leicester City and win Super Rugby. But a solid performance against Folau and Beale can go along way towards fulfilling his Bok ambitions.
Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks v Hurricanes, tomorrow, 3pm)
As a Sharks wing, it’s difficult to perform when you are chasing kicks and defending for roughly 70 of the 80 minutes.
And for the other 10 minutes you just go in to clean a ruck after your 110kg inside centre – with the ball-playing ability of a sheep – just bashes it up the middle.
Mvovo is a great finisher and I don’t really think we have seen the best of him when he is afforded space. Hopefully this weekend, with an afternoon kickoff, the Sharks will maybe give the ball a bit more air and allow the Bok speedster to have a go. Is that too much to ask for?
Edgar Marutlulle (Kings v Blues, tomorrow, 5.15pm)
A knee injury has unfortunately robbed this marauding hooker of precious game time after a fantastic run of matches for the Southern Kings.
Marutlulle is one of the best ball-carrying hookers in Super Rugby, and the Kings’ go-to man when they need someone to spark something and get them over the gain-line. But he is also an impressive defender, and has knocked the stuffing out of a few ball-carriers who have dared to come into his channel without an RSVP.
However, the Kings, and maybe even Coetzee, will be hoping that he can get back to his best form and put in a solid display in Port Elizabeth. - Cape Times