Jaden Hendrikse, the scrumhalf, faced a challenging year in 2021 due to a severe shoulder injury that kept him out of the Rugby Championship. While the Springboks prepare for their final game against Argentina, speculation is rising about Hendrikse’s position in the World Cup squad.
The use of the ‘bomb squad’ tactic by the Springbok coaches has sparked an ongoing debate throughout the season. This approach involves a sixtwo forwardstobacks split on the bench, with players such as Malcolm Marx, Duane Vermeulen, and PieterSteph du Toit being brought in from the bench to influence the game. While these players inspired a minicomeback in the second half of a recent Test against the All Blacks, the discussion around the strategy persists.
For many Springbok players, the Rugby Championship is a crucial opportunity to secure a spot in the Rugby World Cup squad. Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus’s splitsquad policy gives players a chance to showcase their abilities on the world stage. With the Rugby World Cup fast approaching, every match counts, and every player’s performance will have a lasting impact on their future in the sport.
