Springboks squad selection for the match in Ellis Park: concerns over Kolisi's health and Erasmus's tactical dilemmas

Grant Williams has been selected for the Springboks starting lineup for the match against the All Blacks, which will take place at Ellis Park on Saturday. Although most fans associate Williams solely with his high speed, his abilities are much broader.

Despite his impressive acceleration and ability to distribute the ball quickly, which makes him a serious threat for the Springboks, viewing him only as a dynamic runner does not reflect the full scope of his skills. In fact, Williams provides the Springboks with a complete set of qualities in the shorthead position for the first match of the great rivalry against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday (kick-off at 17:10).

In addition to outstanding attacking qualities, the player from Paarl possesses a combination of tactical control and is an ideal candidate for the famous Springboks defensive system. His game as the current best Springboks box-kicker is often overlooked; his kick provides the team with exceptional accuracy and height, allowing his pursuers to contest the ball in the contact zone.

Under modern interpretations of rules prohibiting teams from blocking pursuers, Williams uses his play as a precise weapon to create chaos before counterattacks. Previously, midfielder Kobus Reinah demonstrated superiority in this aspect against the All Blacks in Wellington last year, using aerial pressure that exhausted the All Blacks in the second half, leading to a record Springboks victory.

However, Reinah suffered from injuries this season and has not shown his best form in box-kicking. His substitution would have provided the Springboks with significant quality and experience to finish the game against their long-time rivals.

Williams' inclusion also dictates the pace of the match. He is a midfielder capable of providing a fast start. As soon as he steps onto the field, his passing speed and sharp flank attacks make defenders doubt every move. One of the characteristics of the Springboks matches this year has been the number of goals scored by midfielders attacking spaces around the rucks.

The Springboks' ability to dominate collisions and gain lineout possession creates space when the opponent's defense is unprepared. One wrong step by a collision defender can lead to a 40-meter break thanks to Williams' speed. Moreover, Williams has proven experience in successful matches against the All Blacks, possessing clinical finisher instincts near the goal line.

On the opposite side of the ball, Williams' speed and anticipation will be crucial, as he will be the player operating behind the Springboks' defense. The Springboks usually defend from outside in with a high line speed, often targeting inside attackers and leaving space on the outside. If the All Blacks manage to overcome the Springboks' onslaught, the player operating behind must quickly compensate for the distance covered to defend that space.

The Springboks are one of the world's best teams in terms of coordinated defense, and Williams is number 9, capable of handling one-on-one confrontations. Williams is not just a sportsman on the field; he represents a complete modern shorthead, and the All Blacks will struggle to limit his entire arsenal of skills.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus gave a decisive response to claims of intentionally slowing the pace of play during the match before the first test against the All Blacks, which took place on Saturday.

Rassie Erasmus and Jaco van der Westhuizen issued a clear statement on Monday, setting the tone for a week in which the Boks do not intend to accept criticism directed at them before the start of the first test. When Erasmus introduced Van der Westhuizen, the national law advisor, instead of a regular player, it felt as if the world champions were ready to engage in a verbal sparring match regarding accusations of the South African team slowing down the game to impede the All Blacks' play. This narrative had been promoted by opponents and, to some extent, foreign media since the first friendly match.

Erasmus and Van der Westhuizen brilliantly managed to dispel this notion from the Springboks ahead of the opening of the 'Great Rivalry Battle' at Ellis Park. The fact that Van der Westhuizen accompanied the Bok coach continues to spark much debate, especially in South Africa and New Zealand.

However, it was an outstanding decision by the experienced coach to bring along one of the most experienced former international referees instead of a player who would not possess such deep knowledge of the rules or technical expertise to counter questions about slowing the game and tempo.

Van der Westhuizen immediately shut down discussions about 'slowing down the game,' and Erasmus did the same in his unique way. But most importantly, it demonstrated the Boks' readiness for what lies ahead. They clearly understood that questions would follow, and instead of letting this narrative gain momentum throughout the week, they decided to confront it directly.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus initiated a psychological war before the open test on Saturday against the All Blacks by publicly discussing referee access rules and statements that the Boks were slowing down the game.

Erasmus stated: 'In the five games we have played this season, we have not received a single comment that we are slowing down the game.' This was a very strong reply. Another phrase from the Bok coach was: 'You can pray if you want,' when talking about 30 seconds to form a scrum or lineout and how to use that time.

This was also a clever theatrical move by Erasmus, because if there was someone in the room who could speak with authority about what was legal and what was not regarding ball play, it was Van der Westhuizen. The former match referee was not there to win a popularity contest; he was there to provide clarity, and he did exactly that.

It made for an interesting start to the match week, and likely many more words will be said as the game approaches. The culmination will probably come when the two coaches announce their squads on Thursday for the first test. And perhaps fittingly, the composition of these teams will show who is likely to slow down the game when the two old rivals finally meet at Ellis Park. For now, the Boks are quite satisfied that their play speaks for itself—while ensuring they got to say a few words beforehand.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus stated that the team has decided not to disclose the squad for the opening match of the 'Greatest Rivalry' on Monday, which is a sign of respect towards New Zealand.

The Greatest Rugby Rivalry

If Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche participate in the Springboks training session on Monday, they may be ready for the opening match of the 'Greatest Rivalry' on Saturday at Ellis Park stadium against the All Blacks. Rassie Erasmus, the team's head coach, reported on Monday that only these two players are experiencing minor discomfort before the first of four test matches, but their condition will be closely monitored for readiness for the confrontation.

Captain Kolisi sustained a hamstring injury during a game against Argentina, in which he played for just over twenty minutes. As for Nche, he has not taken the field since suffering a knee injury earlier this year in a game against England. Both players are crucial to South Africa's success in this series, and the absence of either of them in the first match could be a serious blow.

Erasmus noted: 'The two sole doubtful players are Siya and Ox.' He added: 'Sous (Franco Mostert) looks and plays well. I wouldn't say Siya and Ox are still injured, it's just discomfort. And if they make it today (Monday), they might suit us. Besides that, there is no one else.'

During a press conference, where national law advisor Jaco van der Merwe was present, Erasmus also emphasized that the team does not wish to announce the squad on Monday out of respect for the All Blacks. He explained: 'We know this match will be tough, and the less time they have to prepare for our squad, the better. This is not a display of arrogance (that the Boks announce the squad on Thursday), but a matter of respect.'

Erasmus continued that since the squad is not being announced today, the presence of players here and answering questions is undesirable. He added that New Zealand has played three matches, and there is a technical discussion about the pace of the game and its slowing down, and Jaco is better prepared to answer such technical questions, assisting the team in these aspects of the game.