Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus must take out his butcher’s knife soon to trim his squad for the World Cup.
Already saying it will be a difficult task, Erasmus isn’t really lus to go to the slagpale.
With only 31 places up for grabs at the World Cup in Japan next month, we decided to take a look at the guys that will have one final shot when the Boks play Argentina on Saturday to prove to Erasmus that they shouldn’t be part of the excess baggage.
Andre Esterhuizen
A late addition to the squad for the tour of Argentina, Esterhuizen’s biggest threat from inside the camp comes from the versatile Frans Steyn.
Esterhuizen played in the win over Australia, but got a yellow card in that match.
And if he gets selected to play against Argentina, he will have to play out of his skin to wys the boss he belongs.
NOT IN FORM: Frans Malherbe. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix.
Frans Malherbe
It will be a challenging call to axe the Stormers tighthead, but front rower Malherbe is not playing the best rugby of his career at the moment.
And with the likes of Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Thomas du Toit also in the squad, Malherbe has to up his game to make the trip to Japan.
Rynhardt Elstadt
It's him or Kwagga Smith out when captain Siya Kolisi returns to the team. It might even be both.
Elstadt had his chance against Australia in the first match and didn’t do much to impress. But a visit to Argentina is exactly the sort of game that suits his style.
UNDER PRESSUE: Bok Makazole Mapimpi, left. Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix.
Makazole Mapimpi
Aphiwe Dyantyi is still out injured and with Cheslin Kolbe, Sbu Nkosi, Warrick Gelant and Willie le Roux all able to play on the wing, it wouldn’t make sense to take Mapimpi with. Unless he performs this weekend, of course.
Marvin Orie
Orie will, in all likelihood, be on standby when the squad is named.
With Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and RG Snyman in the squad, it is difficult to pick him ahead of those guys.
Then you have Pieter-Steph du Toit who can also slot in at lock when needed. Die bus is vol.
SHOW OFF: Warrick Gelant will have to show off against the Pumas if he wants a spot in the World Cup squad. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
Warrick Gelant
With a number of players able to play at the back of the line, Gelant is under pressure and will come up when there are fine cuts to be made.
A good showing against the Argies might change that.
Bok squad for Argentina:
Forwards:
Schalk Brits, Marcell Coetzee, Lood de Jager, Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, Lizo Gqoboka, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Franco Mostert, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs:
Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Warrick Gelant, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Willie le Roux, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Frans Steyn.