Spoiled for choice

The Springbok team to face the BaaBaas. Image credit: Springboks

When Rassie Erasmus and Mzwandile Stick announced their Springbok and SA ‘A’ teams for this weekend’s games against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe, my first thought was “what a time to be a South African rugby fan!” Not just because we’re being spoiled with two games on Saturday (although I did postpone shoulder surgery, so little did I want anything to detract from my day of rugby), but because if ever there was a showcase of the incredible selection of talent available to us, this is it. Think about it. Despite a host of injuries, and the fact that a number of players are unavailable due to the URC final on Friday night, the coaches were still able to name two teams that include a perfect mix of experience and budding talent. While also having the luxury of choosing to rest some players for these matches. That, quite frankly, is exceptional.

It’s really a testament to the meticulous planning and strategic thinking that Rassie and his coaching group have always displayed. They don’t just want us to be ready for the next game, the next season, or the next World Cup. They’re preparing the kind of depth that will take us far beyond this cycle. The fact that we have this special double header of rugby on Saturday is part of that too. We joke about the trophies that get handed out at these preseason games, but the introduction of these additional fixtures, that are relatively low-stakes (or as low-stakes as anything can be for SA rugby, which is not very low-stakes at all), doesn’t just mean extra rugby joy for fans or more income for SARU. Matches like the ones taking place on Saturday are the perfect opportunity to blood new talent, test different combinations, and get extra game time into players who may need it. That’s crucial at a time when we’re just over a year out from the World Cup, but the Bok coaches are prioritising it throughout the cycle. It means they can build a roster that is impressive both in terms of sheer numbers and, more importantly, in terms of talent. I saw a post over on Twitter (you’ll pry that name from my cold, dead, Gen X hands), suggesting, among other things, that the fact that there are so many players being included in the squad means that being a Springbok is no longer what it used to be. I’m going to give the person who posted that silliness the benefit of the doubt and assume he was just trolling for South African rage engagement ahead of the URC final. Still, many years ago, it certainly was the narrative, rightly or wrongly, that caps should not be handed out too freely, in order to maintain the prestige of being called a Springbok. Now, though, you’d have to be a fool or a madman (or a bitter opponent) to believe that Rassie caps players without any thought to the value they can bring to the Springbok badge. You only have to listen to South African fans crying about their favourite player routinely being overlooked to know that no one simply walks into the Bok set up without earning their chance many times over. And before the keyboard warriors come for me, I’m not suggesting that other nations are not playing preseason friendlies, or trying to build depth in their own squads. I am, however, suggesting that no one is doing it as well as the Boks right now.

All of this aside, we really are in for a truly special weekend of rugby. And not just because we’ll get to see the 18-year-old prodigy Zekhethelo Siyaya haring down the wing and the inimitable Lukhanyo Am pairing up with the talented young Markus Muller at centre in the SA ‘A’ side, or Quan Horn taking a surprise turn at flyhalf and the Baby Bok captain, Riley Norton, stepping into the enforcer’s shoes for the Springboks. The opponents for these games are pretty special too.

The SA 'A' team to take on the Sables. Image credit: Springboks

The BaaBaas are an institution, and I can’t pretend I don’t have a soft spot for this legendary invitational team that brings together a mishmash of top players from all over the world. Obviously, there will be no affection for them this weekend, but they’re always an enjoyable watch. As for whoever runs their social media accounts…immaculate. Last year’s game against them was perhaps a little dour, but the weather in Cape Town was diabolical, and it doesn’t matter how entertaining you want to be…when the rain comes teeming down, it’s a touch harder to play with flair. It looks like the weather in Gqerberha is set to be more accommodating this year, and looking at both team sheets, I think we’re going to have an exciting game on our hands. It’ll probably be nice for Scott Robertson to take on the Springboks without the crushing weight of All Black expectations, at the very least. Make no mistake, though, he’s assembled a team that could make things tricky – what they may lack in cohesion, they can certainly make up in ability (and chattiness, when it comes to captain, TJ Perenara…). The Boks are wise to have shored up the new talent in the matchday 23 with a solid foundation of outstanding experience. They’re not taking this one lightly, and I can’t wait.

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The SA ‘A’ team faces a great opponent in Zimbabwe too. We talk so much about growing the game, and these are the fixtures that do it. Let’s see more SA ‘A’ games against other teams from the continent – everyone gets to build depth and increase their opportunities for game time, it’s really a no-brainer. Except, perhaps, for the money part of it, which would probably be tricky. Either way, it’s an amazing time for Zimbabwean rugby right now. The Sables have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will mark their third time participating in the tournament, and their first since 1991. It’s been a minute – rugby hadn’t even entered the professional era yet when they were last at the global showpiece. They have some really talented players right now, and obviously, as a Sharks fan, I’m especially keen to see Tinotenda Mavasere face off against our SA ‘A’ side. South Africa and Zimbabwe have always had a close rugby relationship, with my all-time-favourite player, Beast, obviously being one of our most successful imports from across the border, so it’s really wonderful to see their own team flourishing, and opportunities for their players increasing. They’ll definitely have my support at next year’s World Cup…but not this weekend.

So, if you’re not going to be in the stadium on Saturday, I hope you have the charcoal ready, the snacks stocked up, the drinks chilling, or the Uber to your local rugby spot ordered, because it’s going to be a long, beautiful day of rugby. And it’s only the beginning of a long, beautiful season. Have I mentioned how spoiled Bok fans are??