IS Allister Coetzee building a team to be a force at the next World Cup or is his aim to win every Test match the Springboks play?
I don’t think it’s either and that is why I believe the Boks find themselves in the current poor state of health.
Coetzee and his players are in a kind of in limbo - neither here nor there, stuck in the middle, and not sure what to do next.
I say this because if Coetzee was truly building towards a greater Bok future, he would not be picking those players who won’t be realistic options at the next World Cup, in 2019.
If Coetzee had his eye on challenging the All Blacks in three years time and he picked younger players only and told South Africa his reasons for doing so, maybe the critical public would be more forgiving.
If he said: “I’m going to back this guy, and this guy, and we’re going to play this kind of rugby, but there may be a few losses in between, but stick with me,” then South Africa may be more understanding.
But then he can’t pick the likes of Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss, Francois Louw, Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana ... because they’re not going to be involved in three years time.
Then there is the complete opposite view and that is the one that would have Coetzee pick his very best XV for each Test, no matter the players’ ages or whether they’ll be around at the next World Cup and slowly bring in some of the younger players.
But then he would have to also consider a few more overseas based players like Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Burger and a few others, if he felt they were the best in their positions.
But then there would be no excuses if the Boks plodded along like they’re doing now. Also, some kind of finality needs to be reached on whether the national coach can or should be allowed to pick whoever he wants from abroad or not.
My thoughts on the matter are the following; I don’t believe a coach should pick young players only and say they’ll be in their prime in two or three years time and we’ll win then ... because doing that means you’re certain of a specific outcome and no-one can predict a sporting outcome in the future.
I’d prefer to see a more experienced Bok team play each Test and in that way the juniors can learn from the seniors and slowly be integrated into the starting line-up.
Winning also builds self confidence and belief, even if younger players are only getting a few minutes game time here and there.
If the Boks win now and build a new core there’s every chance they’ll be a strong and powerful animal in three years time, with a good blend of young and old.
Right now, the Boks are lacking in belief and confidence and there are very few hardened seniors to help lift the younger, more inexperienced men up and show them a way forward. For example, who is guiding Faf de Klerk, and helping him get to grips with Test match rugby ... no-one!
The Boks, and Coetzee, need to make some big calls very soon ... but they can start by deciding to win now and let the future take care of itself.
The Star