Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has has been on the sidelines following his suspension of 12 weeks.
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The Springboks’ chief enforcer, Eben Etzebeth, has been enjoying a prolonged summer holiday after copping a 12-week ban for an eye-gouging incident during the November Test against Wales.
The veteran lock will be available for selection once the international season kicks off against England on July 4, but the lingering question is what sort of physical condition he will be in after missing so much rugby.
It is highly likely that Etzebeth will be phased in gradually to get him up to speed, especially as the Springboks have a massive four-Test series against the All Blacks looming later this year.
Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat would usually have been the top choice to deputise for Etzebeth, but he is also on the sidelines with a long-term foot injury. Consequently, coach Rassie Erasmus finds himself navigating a rare shortage in the most physical department of the Springbok pack.
Traditionally, the No 4 lock is the man responsible for the heavy lifting at the coalface and the uncompromising physicality that defines South African rugby.
While Leinster’s RG Snyman remains the high-profile incumbent, a crop of United Rugby Championship (URC) standouts are making a compelling case to step into the void left by Etzebeth.
Here is a look at the frontrunners on Rassie’s radar for the Springboks’ No 4 jersey.
The Stormers’ big man plays with a snarl and possesses the abrasive style required for Test match rugby. He has played a massive role in the Stormers’ engine room in Moerat’s absence and has significantly improved his discipline, making him a reliable option when things get heated upfront.
Rahl is the exciting young prospect in this category. At the Sharks, he has shown an incredible appetite for work and a physical maturity that belies his age. He is an athletic No 4 who can dominate the middle of the line-out while still providing the grunt needed in the scrums. His upward trajectory suggests it is a matter of when, not if, he earns his first cap.
Vermaak has been a model of consistency for the Bulls. While he possesses the versatility to shift to No 5, his best work often comes in the No 4 jersey where his engine and defensive work rate shine. He is the type of lock who hits every ruck and makes every tackle, providing the perfect balance if paired with a more flamboyant partner.
Schoeman is a quintessential "old school" tight-head lock. He is immense in the maul and provides massive weight behind the tight-head prop in the scrum. With the Boks placing such a high premium on set-piece dominance, Schoeman’s consistency in the URC has been a valuable asset for the Lions.
The “Viking” remains one of the most unique athletes in world rugby. Now settled in Dublin with Leinster, Snyman’s ability to combine raw power with the offloading skills of a centre makes him one of the modern greats of the game. In the absence of Etzebeth, the Springboks will look to Snyman not just for his physical presence, but for his senior leadership.
* John Goliath is an Independent Media regional sports editor and a contributor on The Last Word on Rugby on our YouTube channel The Clutch