While he has already picked “80 percent” of his Rugby World Cup squad, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus believes there is still a chance for someone to force their way into the squad.
The Boks will play just five Tests before their tournament opener against the All Blacks in Yokohama on September 21, which includes the shortened Rugby Championship.
So, with little time to experiment, Erasmus has already begun his Bok alignment camps, having brought in 10 Stormers players in Cape Town over the last few days.
At the conclusion of the camp, Erasmus stated that he has worked out most of the players who will be required in Japan.
“I’d say about 80 percent of the squad is settled. It’s tough to say something like that, though, when you know that there will be injuries, and other guys may be asked to step up,” the Bok coach told reporters as reported by sarugbymag.co.za.
“As we’ve seen in the past, where a guy like Frans Steyn broke down the door ahead of the 2007 tournament, there will always be space for someone special to force their way into the mix.”
One position that is worrying Erasmus somewhat is scrumhalf.
“In terms of positions of concern... Faf de Klerk and Embrose Papier are the frontrunners as the scrumhalves at this stage, but we know that you need three scrumhalves for that squad,” Erasmus said.