THE FINAL WHISTLE
MARK KEOHANE: Boks need backs to fire on all cylinders against Ireland
The big question mark is if there is the class and form in the backs to overcome the Irish
Springbok supporters need not fear the set-piece efficiency against any of Ireland, France, Italy or Wales, but it is the potency of the backs that will determine the success of the tour. The talk for the last fortnight has been that Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will turn to Handré Pollard and Damian de Allende to add muscle, directness and impact to the South African attack. The two last operated in tandem as a No10 and No 12 in 2015 at the World Cup, but since then, Pollard has largely been absent due to injury and De Allende, because of injury and form, has very much been a fringe squad member. De Allende started occasionally in 2016 but in 2017, he has been more bench warmer than backline slayer. Bok 2017 inside centre Jan Serfontein is unavailable for the November internationals because of French club commitments with Montpellier. Regular 2017 flyhalf Elton Jantjies is on tour, but with him steering the Bok ship in 2017, the team has managed just five wins from nine starts....
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