Springboks legend Steven Kitshoff has retired. So, who would be the man changing him?
Springboks legend, “Kitsie” lately hung up his legendary and iconic boots. Kitshoff underwent neck fusion surgical procedure earlier than making the powerful determination to name it a day.
Sadly, meaning his days within the inexperienced and gold are numbered. So, Rassie Erasmus and the Boks should discover a worthy alternative to step up as they enter into mission ‘three-peat’.
BIG BOK READ: SPRINGBOKS UNLIKELY TO EVER PLAY FOR THE BOKS AGAIN
PROPELLED TO THE TOP OF THE BOK PECKING ORDER
First issues first, ‘Kitsie’ and Ox Nche have shared the load when each gamers have been obtainable.
Finally, Rassie rotated each Springboks with each gamers getting massive begins and being utilized off the bench. Nevertheless, Ox began most video games final season with Kitshoff sidelined with damage. Which means, Ox is the clear front-runner to run the entrance row as he runs over entrance rows within the scrum. In spite of everything, they don’t name him Ox for nothing.
MEATY OX SHOWS THAT ‘SALADS DON’T WIN SCRUMS’
He famously virtually single-handedly saved the Springboks as he bulldozed by the English scrum.
Initially, he gained a vital scrum penalty contained in the Boks 22 after they have been trailing 15-6 with lower than 10 minutes to go. Thereafter, he gained a penalty which allowed the Boks to achieve some much-needed territory with the kick for contact leading to a scrum contained in the English 22 with 5 minutes to go. This resulted in RG Snyman barging his method over the attempt line to present the Boks some hope with three minutes to go. The Boks trailed 15-13 within the pouring rain in opposition to their outdated foe, the English.
Lastly, Ox made it clear the the world that ‘salads don’t win scrums’ when he gained a decisive penalty on the half method line. The arrange an opportunity for Handre Pollard to kick the winner fro, inside his personal half, which he did and the remaining is historical past. Similar to the English scrum.
Thereafter, Ox stamped his authority because the Springboks first selection number one with enormous performances in opposition to Eire and the All Blacks.
NEXT IN LINE UNDER RASSIE
Rassie has established great depth in all positions. That is testomony to his knowledge, imaginative and prescient and planning as Bok coach. The Springboks are striving to turn out to be the primary workforce in world rugby to win three RWC trophies in a row – mission ‘three-peat’. SA Rugby depth is crucial to this.
So, who’s subsequent in line to step up following Kitshoff unlucky early retirement? Whereas, Rassie has made positive that the Springboks should not wanting choices – that’s for positive. At present, the likes of Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
All three males are able to taking part in on either side of the scrum. Moreover, Wessels gives himself as an extra hooker too. Louw actually put his hand up at through the Springboks finish of yr tour. While, Steenakamp has been continuously used off the bench beneath Rassie since he returned to the teaching field. Finally, Wessels is the wildcard. While, Steenakamp is the long-term funding set to take over given his age (27). Louw, like Steenakamp has been in high kind for the Bulls through the URC this season. In the meantime, Louw is coming into the latter levels of his Springboks profession since he’s 30 (turning 31) through the time of publication. Nevertheless, he’s primarily utilized as a tighthead prop (quantity 3). So it’s a straight shoot-out between these males for the coveted spot within the ‘Bomb squad’. Subsequently, Steenakamp is the favorite to put on the quantity 17 jersey since he has been within the current Bok mixes, he has extra years left in him and it’s his main place.
WHO SHOULD BE THE BACK UP TO OX NCHE ON THE COVETED SPRINGBOKS BOMB SQUAD HEADING INTO THE 2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP? WILL OX BE ABLE TO FILL KITSIE’S BOOTS HEADING INTO MISSION ‘THREE-PEAT’ ?
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