The depth in the Springbok tight five is evident, as SA Rugby magazine readers have backed the likes of RG Snyman and Franco Mostert to face the British & Irish Lions in an injury crisis.
Following the fifth episode of ‘The War Room’, readers were asked to lock in their preferred second- and front-row combinations.
The premise is that the members of the Springbok starting XV from the 2019 World Cup final are all unavailable and need to be replaced for the deciding Test against the touring B&I Lions.
Previous episodes discussed fullback, wings and centres, halfbacks and the back row and polled readers on their preferred choices at each position.
As far as the two locks go, readers have far and away selected Snyman and Mostert to form the partnership.
Snyman, who is on his way back from a long-term injury at Munster, was the clear favourite to take Etzebeth’s place as the team’s enforcer, with 48% of the vote. Mostert, who has been in excellent form in Japan’s Top League, closely followed with 39%.
At tighthead prop, readers were split between choosing Vincent Koch or Trevor Nyakane to fill Frans Malherbe’s boots. Koch edges his way in with 41,61%, while Nyakane can count himself unlucky with 41.09% of the vote.
Malcolm Marx is the overwhelming favourite to replace Bongi Mbonambi at hooker, with 86% of readers going his way. Akker van der Merwe and Joseph Dweba were also up in the position, but received just over a combined 13%.
In an interesting pick at loosehead, readers have opted for the ‘swinger prop’ in Thomas du Toit to start if Steven Kitshoff gets injured. Du Toit, who has also played at tighthead, got 37.55% of votes, beating his Sharks teammate Ox Nche, who got 31.07%.
The final alternative Bok XV, selected by the readers, is as follows:
15 Frans Steyn, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Cornal Hendricks, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
