As the new dawn of South African rugby nears, it’s time to play everyone’s favourite game: Who is going to make the starting XV? The Boks held an open training session in Belhar on Monday and while new coach Allister Coetzee played his cards close to his chest – saying he was about 85% there in deciding on his match-day squad – a few conclusions can be drawn.

Local media reported that Faf de Klerk is likely to the only newcomer to the side with Netwerk24 predicting the following starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Coetzee picked 10 uncapped players in his broader squad. A few of those could very well feature on the bench. One player who  many fans will be hoping to see is Elton Jantjies. The Lions star is still recovering from a fractured finger and interim squad doctor Konrad von Hagen said he was “healing well” but would wear a “special brace” if asked to play.  

The side will be named on Thursday, so there is some time left for players who are not yet fully fit to stake a claim and convince Coetzee that they are ready to go.

Almost as important as who makes the starting XV, though, is how they will play. The lengthy training session on Monday focused heavily on offloading before making contact, according to a report on IOL. During his time in charge of the Stormers, Coetzee’s charges were often accused of playing boring rugby, much like his predecessor Heyneke Meyer.

Injecting new vigour into the side will be paramount to their success, but changing the brand of rugby a side plays can take some time to settle in and become effective. There is also the challenge of helping the new faces slot in seamlessly, something new captain Adriaan Strauss believes will be helped by the fact that there are still experienced players in the mix.

“It’s always challenging for new guys entering the squad, the pressure will be building,” Strauss said.

“But there are a lot of senior guys in the squad, a lot of guys who have been through this before and they will lead the guys through an exciting first cap, whoever gets the opportunity.

“It doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking event, it can be an exciting one as well, and I think that’s the environment that we want to create.” DM