The Springboks are about to kick off their season, and Rassie Erasmus has some big calls to make.
The team will play a warm-up against the Barbarians on 20 June, with the SA 'A' side facing Zimbabwe in a curtain-raiser the same day. Those matches give Erasmus one last look at the wider squad before he picks the Test squad for the Nations Championship opener against England on 4 July. The squad for that game — and the following Tests against Scotland (11 July) and Wales (18 July) — will be announced on Sunday, 21 June.
Erasmus is likely to name a settled starting XV for the England clash, but the bench could be where the surprises happen. With RG Snyman injured, there's an opening for JJ van der Mescht to make his Test debut. The young lock has been impressing in domestic rugby and could partner Eben Etzebeth or Ruan Nortje.
Another youngster, Paul de Villiers, is also in line for a debut. He covers openside flank, a spot left open by Kwagga Smith's injury. And Cameron Hanekom, who has one Test cap already, could add impact off the bench and earn his second.
The biggest call is at flyhalf. There's unlikely to be a backup 10 on the bench because Damian Willemse can cover that role if there's an injury. That means Erasmus has to choose between Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard as the starting kicker. It's a risk, but sources say Libbok is likely to get the nod.
Here's how the Springboks could line up against England: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
The wider squad for the SA 'A' game and the Barbarians match includes plenty of familiar names and a few fresh faces. Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi, Lood de Jager, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Bathobele Hlekani, Hanro Jacobs, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, JJ Kotze, Danie Kruger, Sibabalwa Mahashe, Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Ruben van Heerden, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Oliver Reid, Evan Roos, Carlu Sadie, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Liam van Wyk, Andre-Hugo Venter, Boan Venter, Jasper Wiese. Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Luan Giliomee, Quan Horn, Jurenzo Julius, Imad Khan, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Vusi Moyo, Markus Muller, Haashim Pead, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Nico Steyn, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams.
The Barbarians game on 20 June will be the first chance for fans to see how these players fit together. But all eyes will be on the England Test — and whether Erasmus's gamble on youth pays off.