There can be nothing more frustrating as a rugby player than to go on tour with your team just to shadow the starters in training.
It can drain the lus out of you – especially when the match-23 is not performing to the level expected of them.
Let’s be honest here: the Springboks have not performed to the best of their ability in the first two Tests on their tour of Europe.
And that’s why I believe now is the perfect time for coach Rassie Erasmus to start using his fringe players.
With Scotland lying in wait, Erasmus should have the balls to make the big calls.
And there are a number of them to be made.
Of the 37 men on tour, eight players have not played any part in the match squad against England and France.
They are Schalk Brits, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, JD Schickerling, Gio Aplon, Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen and Louis Schreuder.
OPTION AT 8: Sikhumbuzo Notshe. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
Then there are also players such as Elton Jantjies, Bongi Mbonambi, Embrose Papier and RG Snyman who have been on the bench but are yet to start.
Erasmus should give at least some of these players a run if he wants to test their World Cup readiness.
At 36, it would be nice to see if Aplon still has what it takes to perform at the top level and maybe giving him a run off the bench this weekend will answer that question.
At this point in time, it doesn’t look like Erasmus has an experienced fullback to take charge if Willie le Roux gets injured.
The same applies to scrumhalf and Faf de Klerk. Let’s see what Embrose Papier can do when given the No.9 jumper and, with the experienced Elton Jantjies also deserving of a start again, I believe a 9-10 change is in order.
RETIREMENT RETURN: Schalk Brits. Photo: GAVIN BARKER/BACKPAGEPIX
To the loosies.
Warren Whiteley and captain Siya Kolisi have to be rested for this game.
Duane Vermeulen must be used at No.8, while the presence of a real fetcher at No.6 in Francois Louw can only help the Boks.
In the front row, Schalk Brits have not played rugby in ages and if Erasmus is going to wait for the Barbarians game against Argentina to give him a run, he should have just left him in retirement.
I’ve selected a dream team for the Scotland game made up of players in the current squad.
Bok Dream Team v Scotland:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Handre Pollard (captain), 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan Zyl, 22 Damian de Allende, 23 Gio Aplon.