KweséESPN rugby editor John Goliath looks at five issues that came out of Allister Coetzee's Springbok squad for the Test series against France in June.
Duane Vermeulen to the side of the scrum?
With Warren Whiteley taking up the Springbok captaincy, it is safe to assume that Duane Vermeulen will play as a flank against the French. The Toulon bruiser has played exclusively at No 8 for the Boks since making his debut in 2012, but it looks like Coetzee wants to use his physicality at blindside flank. Vermeulen is a natural ball player, but also a destructive runner with ball in hand, while he is also known as an aggressive tackler. Vermeulen is also very good on the ground and, despite his big frame, steals a lot of loose ball. This could free Whiteley up to play his normal linking role that he does so well for the Lions.
Bok squad lacks a genuine fetcher
Coetzee overlooked both Chris Cloete and Kwagga Smith for the France Tests. Cloete will be on duty for the SA A side, while Smith will have a few weeks off in June. Lions loose forward Jaco Kriel has been selected in the squad, but he isn't a genuine opensider. While Kriel plays towards the ball, his greatest assets are his explosive running and his tremendous work-rate. Vermeulen is a good ball-stealer, but he probably won't play as a genuine opensider, because he offers a lot as a ball-carrying flank. Siya Kolisi may wear the No. 6 jersey, but he too would rather prefer to play as a blindside flank.
Where is Frans Steyn going to feature?
Poor exits and a lack of field position were part of the Springboks' problems in 2016, and the return of Frans Steyn will certainly add a bit more firepower to their tactical kicking. But where is Coetzee going to play the France-based centre? Fullback or inside centre seem to be likely the options, although Coetzee could opt to play Steyn at flyhalf ahead of Elton Jantjies. Fullback, though, may be the likely option, especially as the only other options at No. 15 are uncapped. Coetzee is a big fan of Damian de Allende's physicality at inside centre, which could put the No. 12 jersey out of Steyn's reach.
No Lionel Mapoe in the squad
The Lions' Lionel Mapoe has arguably been the standout outside centre in South Africa in Super Rugby in 2017, so his exclusion from the Bok squad does raise a few eyebrows. So now it's probably going to be a straight shootout between Jesse Kriel and the uncapped Lukyanyo Am, who has also had a top season for the Sharks, for that outside centre berth. Versatile Bulls centre Jan Serfontein will also be on contention for the No 13 jersey, although he lacks the pace for the position. Kriel is a wonderful attacking option at No. 13, but his defence has let him down in that channel.
How do the bolters shape up?
Lions tighthead prop Ruan Dreyer has been consistently good this year, along with his Super Rugby teammates Andries Coetzee (fullback) and Ross Cronje (scrumhalf). The Stormers' Dillyn Leyds certainly gives Coetzee a lot of options as a versatile playmaker, as he has played fullback, wing and flyhalf this season. Lizo Gqoboka is a promising loosehead, but he will still be hurting after the pasting he got in the scrum at the hands of Dreyer last weekend. It's hard to imagine one of these players starting against the French on 10 June at Loftus Versfeld, but Dreyer, Cronje and Leyds may be excellent options off the bench.