So, after a very succesful Tri-nations campaign, what are the Boks future prospects looking like? Will PDV’s kick-and-chase game plan work next year or the year after or will teams have cottoned onto this idea and find a defensive pattern to counter act the effective kicking game recently employed. A fair number of the current Bok squad are RWC 07 winnners and look likely to be there or there abouts in 2011, but who will be the new comers challenging for places and if PDV continues with generally good selection policies, will this Bok squad become the stuff of legends during the next 2 seasons? there is definitely no lack of depth in South Africa, and should be strong contenders to defend their title come 2011.

Fullbacks

Frans Steyn

Coming off a very good Tri-nations for him personally, he’s bolted off to France for experience and let’s face it, money. While I think that this should help him mature and improve to a Andre Joubert type player, I’m not sure if he’ll be up for it. His boot has proven invaluable for the Boks in recent years.

Verdict: Should be around 2011 if PDV doesn’t change his selection policies.

Conrad Janjtes

Injury has prevent Janjtes from playing more for the Boks, but could possibly return soon for Western Province after breaking his leg earlier this year. Was in good form in the Super 14.

Verdict: could still be in the mix with the absence of Frans Steyn for the next 2 seasons

Zane Kirchner

Impressed in this years Super 14 and considered unlucky to be excluded from the squad for the Lions and Tri-nations, has potential to become first choice in the absence of Frans Steyn. Exciting prospect and a player that hits the line well and has a decent boot and good under the high ball

Verdict: Could really put the pressure on Janjtes next season.

Wings

Bryan Habana

Improved greatly this season and fitted well into PDV’s game plans, and was a vital cog in the Boks domination this season.

Verdict: Baring injury, he’s safe

JP Pietersen

See above.

Verdict: See above.

Odwa Ndungane

Initially tagged as ‘too slow for a wing’ by Jake White, Odwa has gone on to amass a good amount of Bok caps in recent years. He hasn’t done much wrong, but doesn’t bring the same impact as JP or Habana

Verdict: A conservative choice but the squad will need a safe option.

Akona Ndungane

Considered the better of the twins, but not by much. Kicking and catching games much improved from both of them, otherwise not much between them

Verdict: see above.

Danwel Demas

One of a few players to make Habana look slow. This guy is pace personified, the only issue is his hands and his kicking. If they can work on that, he can become an awesome wing, exciting prospect. Would suit PDV’s kick and chase game plan

Verdict: Work to be done, but not beyond possibility, pencil him in.

Joe Pietersen

Blonde ‘Percy’ from WP has been in good form in recent months. Prone to the odd blunder but has the ability to light up the field with great attacking running. Can play either wing or fullback.

Verdict: See above.

Centres

Jean de Villiers:

The unluckiest player in the history of the Rugby World Cup. Injuries have seen him have limited time in these tournaments, Boks missed him in 2003. Quality player that’ll leave a chasm in the Bok back line during his time overseas.

Verdict: Safe

Jaques Fourie

Not everyone’s favorite, very quiet in the Tri-nations on attack but his defense was solid and paired well with JDV.

Verdict: Should still be around form depending.

Adrian Jacobs

Bok bolter in many opinions this season after a poor Super 14. Didn’t start many tests and had some poor performances in the Bok jersey this year.

Verdict: Unlikely to make it.

Wynand Olivier

Seems to perform well at Super 14 and Currie Cup level but hasn’t done enough at international level to cement a place in the side. Given some time in the jersey he has potential

Verdict: Pencil him in, possible replacement for JDV

Fly-halves

Morne Steyn:

Broken records at ease this year, will be difficult to justify his exclusion in future Bok games. The price of having a reliable kicker is coming to the fore in the last few seasons and the Boks have shown what having such a reliable kicker can do.

Verdict: Safe

Ruan Pienaar:

The Tiger Woods of rugby is how he was once described by PDV who then rushed him back from injury into a Bok jersey only to drop him shortly afterwards. Needs to find one position and make it his own, Jack of All Trades = Bench

Verdict: Safe, but on the bench

Jaques-Louis Portgieter

The Cheetahs man is putting his hand up in this years Currie Cup. An exciting player that should refine his skills on his impending move to the Bulls at the end of the year. Good competition for Morne Steyn

Verdict: Pencil him in

Halfback

Fourie du Preez

Currently the undisputed world’s best player, what more can we say?

Verdict: Safe

Ricky Januarie

Another considered to be a bolter for this years selections ahead of Sharks player Rory Cockett. Hasn’t done much to justify his selection and will struggle to keep his place if chosen on merit.

Verdict: will be very fortunate to see another world cup.

Heini Adams

The games I’ve seen him play I’ve been very impressed, nippy around the fringes and not afraid to defend. Good pace and a good pace.

Verdict: Should be a good option in place of Januarie.

Sarel Pretorious

The Griquas man has had a great season in the Currie Cup so far, if he keeps this form up he’ll be pressing for a seat on the plane to New Zealand. .

Verdict: Pencil him in

Loose Forwards

Pierre Spies

Had a good Tri-nations, hardly been tested but fought off competition from Kankowski for the number 8 jersey. Played well against the Lions where I feel he was more tested.

Verdict: Safe.

Juan Smith

Quiet so far by his standards but gets the job done, nothing flash, dependable

Verdict: Safe

Heinrich Brussouw

Has to be find of the season for the Boks, a true fetcher in every sense of the word. Jake White, eat your words. He has been instrumental in the Boks domination this season, turnovers galore and penalties for M.Steyn to slot, good, lethal combination.

Verdict: Bar any PDV lunacy, safe

Schalk Burger

Fallen out of favor with the general public but PDV has continued his selection. Usually brings a distinct energy to the field in his relentless play, but is it enough to keep him in the side?

Verdict: On the edge – needs to show he can play again.

Dewald Potgieter

Captaining the Bulls in the Boks absence and has done a great job. Also has boundless energy and a good rugby brain to go with it.

Verdict: Would be a surprise to see him miss out.

Francois Louw

Having a stormer of a season with Province. Good lineout options and good in the loose.

Verdict: Should at least make the wider squad.

Ryan Kankowski

Pushed hard for a starting berth for the Lions tests but Pierre proved to be the pick. A great open and attacking player but seems to be found wanting on his defense. His pace is blistering for an 8th man

Verdict: should be in the squad.

Jean Deysel

In a similar mould to Danie Roussouw for me, wrecking ball on attack though and turns over good ball.

Verdict: should be in the squad

Locks

Victor Matfield

Without pier the best lock in the world

Verdict: baring injury, safe

Bakkies Botha

The enforcer in the Bok side, and rightly so. Partners Matfield in what is easily becoming the best lock pairing in the history or rugby.

Verdict: See above.

Danie Roussouw

Not sure why he keeps getting selected. Brute of a man but doesn’t bring much more to the team than someone like Bakkies. Reliable but doesn’t add much.

Verdict: Think there are better players to take his place, but pencil him in.

Andries Bekker

Been around the Bok scene for a few seasons now, unlikely to break the combination of Matfield & Botha but a good back up none the less.

Verdict: Should be in the squad

Johan Muller

Captain courageous for the Sharks. Injury saw him sidelined for this international season but has been a regular in the Bok set up as well for a few seasons now.

Verdict: Should still be around in 2011

Props

John Smit

Smit should play wing if it meant he’d still be in the Bok team. He really is the glue holding together the Boks. While tighthead isn’t his strong point, he’s done enough to justify moving him there. He’s fast becoming one of the world’s best captains, ever!

Verdict: With or without injury, Smit will be somewhere in that changing room

Tendai ‘The Best’ Mtawarira

Another permanent in the Bok team over the last few seasons, popular with the crowds world wide and usually has a huge impact on the game, both in the scrumming and his beastly runs.

Verdict: almost as guaranteed as the captain himself.

Jannie du Plessis

Also been around a while with the Boks, good thing props have a long shelf life.

Verdict: Pencil him in.

Brok Harris

Putting in some telling performances this season with a strong WP pack, mobile, good hands, good defense.

Verdict: Should at least be part of the touring squad.

WP Nel

Having a good currie cup, can he carry this form through to next years campaigns?

Verdict: Pencil him in.

Wikus Blaauw

Another reason why WP are having the best Currie Cup season of the recent past. Forms a formidable front row with Brok that have been strong this season

Verdict: Injuries pending, he should be there.

Hookers

Bismark du Plessis

Also a quiet tournament by his standards, but didn’t do much wrong. A strong player and hard to leave behind unless form fails him. Good scrummager and invaluable with his power in the loose, can turn over a lot of balls with his pit-bull-like determination in the mauls

Verdict: Safe.

Chiliboy Ralepelle

Spent most of this season on the bench for the Boks with both Smit and du Plessis above him in the pecking order. Still questions about his inclusion given that there may be other better players, but this may be a long term selection given his youth. Possibly the next Bok captain?

Verdict: Probably still there, but think maybe 2015 may be when he’s more likely to be first choice.

Tiaan Liebenburg

Doubt the Boks would lose much by including the entire WP front row based on this seasons form, not the leader that Smit is, but definitely another reason for WP’s good fortunes. Continues to improve.

Verdict: should be part of touring squad.

Adriaan Strauss

Already has a Bok cap and shown what he can do at the Cheetahs. A bit down the pecking order, but with time could become a regular Bok feature.

Verdict: Keep working and should be on the plane.

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