As the curtain comes down on the Springboks' 2021 year-end tour, Shaun Goosen looks at 3 players who will be key in the battle against England.
Retshegofaditswe Nche (Loosehead)
In a year filled with mesmerising moments from Lukhanyo Am, the sheer brutality of Eben Etzebeth and consistently outstanding work by Siya Kolisi, the rise of one Retshegofaditswe Nche seems to have gone somewhat under the radar. Having produced some top-drawer performances in the colours of the Cheetahs and Sharks over the past few seasons, 2021 has finally seen Nche come of age to assume the role of the country’s number one loosehead. Not many would have expected the excellent Steven Kitshoff to be usurped to the role vacated by the Beast Mtawarira, but Ox’s quality is such that his inclusion in the run-on side has been a no-brainer.
Not that there has been much to separate the Springboks’ starting front-rankers from the benchwarmers this season given that the former tend to make way for the latter around the half-time mark. Still, it is a special privilege to be able to call yourself a “starter” for the world champions. Coming up against British & Irish Lion tighthead Kyle Sinckler again at Twickers this weekend, look for Ox to keep putting his side on the front foot.
🤯 @oxnche devours the Scottish scrum pic.twitter.com/zYFrVXCxjj
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 16, 2021
Handre Pollard (No 10)
There’s no doubting the enduring class of Pollard, but 2021 has definitely not been a standout year for the Montpellier man —easy to understand given he missed the majority of last season through injury before being rushed back in time to start for the Boks against the Lions. Still, more has been expected of the highest-paid player in the game, and many pundits are beginning to lose patience with him.
There’s no question that he remains Jacques Nienaber’s go-to flyhalf though, and the opportunity for more domestic game-time next season should be all he needs to reclaim his mojo. For him to sound off an indifferent year with an assured display at the Home of Rugby against Eddie Jones’ English would be a beautiful thing.
🇿🇦 Minor rotational changes to the Springbok team
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 16, 2021
➡️ Starts for De Jager, Reinach and Pollard at Twickenham
🗣️ “England have made it clear that they’ll come hard at us in this match”
🔗 Team announcement: https://t.co/978wrrvKfi#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/Lzn7ewszf0
Makazole Mapmpi (No 11)
The man is class personified. Mapimps’ tries against the Scots last week maintained his astonishing record of having scored against every nation he’s faced on the rugby pitch. They also brought his tally up to 19 tries in 24 Tests; the best strike rate in South African rugby history, level with the legendary Danie Gerber (0.79). Despite having played just three seasons of international rugby, the bloke is already the joint-10th-highest Bok try-scorer of them all. It’s just ridiculous.
Who could bet against him improving his stats against the English this weekend?
Lonwabo Mtimka and Makhaya Jack were absolutely 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 Makazole Mapimpi's second try against Scotland 🎙️🔥#AutumnNationSeries pic.twitter.com/aIqnhyQGEZ
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) November 13, 2021
