Former Springboks captain John Smit believes that it will be a challenge for Rassie Erasmus to navigate through 2026 ahead of Rugby World Cup year.
South Africa have become renowned for their rotation policy, which has proved hugely successful following back-to-back world titles.
It sometimes came at a cost prior to the 2023 triumph, but Erasmus has managed to find that balance since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in France by getting results and bringing players through.
Apart from a brief period last year, the Boks have remained at the top of the World Rugby rankings, but that will come under threat when the All Blacks visit in August.
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Considering the importance of The Greatest Rivalry series, there would a temptation to remain consistent in selection, especially if they win the first Test, but Erasmus generally does not work like that.
“The kind of experience they’re talking about that Rassie is trying to build is not so much about getting more new players, it’s about getting that group of 60 that he’s pointed out Test matches and experience on the field,” Smit told The Rugby Pod.
“That’s the difficulty. This year is such a difficult one for South Africa, a year out from the World Cup. We’ve got the All Blacks four times in a row, we started our season with England and England’s always a tough game, so it’s a hard year to try and rotate squads.
“I thought we picked the best we possibly could for the weekend. It was a sign of respect of the opposition and where we are in the season, but it really is a difficult scenario to get through a season where you’ve got a team that don’t mind switching it around.
“I don’t think South Africa have been consistent in their team selection for the past six years. It’s very seldom you get the same 23, there’s all these different conditions.
“This group has become quite used to that whereas back in our day we always wanted to have the same XV week in week out to keep that consistency. It doesn’t seem to be that way for this group.”
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Springboks second-row issues
Erasmus named arguably his strongest available 23 for their clash against England, but only five of the starting XV remain for their clash against Scotland.
The only area they are light is at lock where South Africa are without the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and RG Snyman.
“We can’t afford too many guys in the second-row going down in this next year or so, or specifically for the next couple of weeks,” Smit added. “We’re pretty thin in that regard and we’re thin because there’s been quite a lot of injuries in that space.
“It’s a pity we don’t have the use of Sacha to give him another season, another couple of Test matches leading into what’s a big year. But you say that and Handre can’t make the 23 in the first Test.”