John Goliath, KweséESPN
Legendary Springbok wing Chester Williams says Sharks flyer S'bu Nkosi should start in the Springboks' Rugby Championship match against Australia in Bloemfontein next Saturday.
The impressive Nkosi is one of three changes to the South African squad for their two remaining Rugby Championship matches against Australia and New Zealand, following their record 57-0 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in Albany last weekend. Veteran flank Francois Louw and Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder are the other two changes.
The 21-year-old Nkosi has been in terrific form since his debut for the Sharks in Super Rugby, making a big splash in the Currie Cup. Nkosi has got a lot of pace, but it's his physicality and tenacity that has stood out alongside his game-breaking ability.
"Out of all the rookie wings, he is the guy with the most potential. He is an innovative player with a lot of X factor, creating magic moments out of nothing," said Williams, who played 27 Tests for the Boks between 1993 and 2000.
"He is a strong guy, so he doesn't die with the ball when he goes into contact and he is also a very good defender. I haven't seen a lot of him under the high ball, and that is the one thing I'm not sure about. But that is something you can work on."
Courtnall Skosan and Raymond Rhule were on the wings for the Boks in the last two Tests against Australia and New Zealand. The ball didn't really go their way in attack in those matches, but Skosan couldn't cope under the high ball against Australia, while Rhule missed six tackles in the first half against the All Blacks.
Williams is hoping that Nkosi gets a taste of international rugby over the next two weeks against Australia and New Zealand to gain experience, and also help the Bok coach build some depth in the squad. The Boks quality in depth was exposed against the All Blacks following the injuries to tighthead Coenie Oosthuinzen and scrumhalf Ross Cronjé.
"Nkosi should get a shot against Australia. The Boks have nothing to lose by giving him international exposure now. To make one change at wing is not going to make a massive difference to the team either," said Williams, who played a colossal role in the playoffs of the 1995 World Cup for the Boks.
"We can't afford to give him his first chance in two years' time, because then he would go into a World Cup without any international experience.
"At the World Cup you want to have 28 players -- almost two teams -- who can do the job when called upon. New Zealand can probably choose three teams at the moment."
The Boks next play Australia in Bloemfontein on 30 September.