Rassie Erasmus explains having just one specialist hooker on tour

When Rassie Erasmus named the Springboks’ 37-man squad for the upcoming November internationals, one aspect of his selection flew under the radar, and that was the rather unusual decision to only select two hookers for the tour.

In fact, Malcolm Marx is the only specialist hooker considering that Jan-Hendrik Wessels has previously been deployed as a utility player, capable of slotting in at loosehead prop or hooker.

With Bongi Mbonambi currently not in the national mix, Deon Fourie out with injury, and Johan Grobbelaar omitted from the tour group, it leaves regular flanker Marco van Staden as a stop-gap option at hooker if the need arises.

However, Erasmus has explained why Grobbelaar was left at home for this end-of-year tour as Wessels will clearly be given more opportunities to gain experience at hooker rather than prop.

“We were very honest in the conversations we always have with Grobbies; if I had to give the team man-of-the-year award to someone this year, it would be him,” Erasmus said on Monday.

“We feel like we know 100% where Grobbies is,” the Bok coach added. “But we don’t want to put Grobbies on a tour and Marco doesn’t get a chance.

“We know that Grobbies is there, Grobbies can go to the World Cup, but we’re going to bring the other two hookers. That’s just the way it is. 

“Grobbies doesn’t deserve not to be chosen.”

Rassie Erasmus continues careful balancing act

Commenting on the six uncapped players in the travelling squad – Riley Norton, Emmanuel Tshituka, Luan Giliomee, Yaqeen Ahmed, Markus Muller, and Sebastian de Klerk – Erasmus said there was a plan in place.

“They all joined us in camp today and are excited about the tour ahead, so we’ll expose them to our structures this week and monitor how they progress and hopefully we’ll be able to give them a chance to show what they can do at this level against top opposition in the next few weeks.

“They are special players, who all bring something different to the team, and we have full faith in their talent and skillsets.”

Backing for Salmaan Moerat

Having also opted to start Moerat at lock this weekend, Rassie Erasmus said he didn’t subscribe to the opinions of some fans who criticise the veteran forward.

“I’ve never really listened to people who talk nonsense about Salmaan, because he’s not the kind of guy you see doing the flashy work on the field, and we don’t expect him to. We expect him to do what he always does for us.

“He’s been our captain four or five times, I’m not 100% sure, but I think he’s won every single time.

“We need a grinder, like a Jean Kleyn, like an RG Snyman. I think that’s a bit flashy as well, but it’s something we need in the team, and Salmaan brings it to us.”