Middelburg Observer
Has Kwagga Smith earned a regular starting spot for the Springboks?
With the outpouring of praise heaped at Kwagga Smith this past weekend for his tremendous performance against New Zealand, the question on everyone’s lips is whether the HTS Middelburg legend has warranted a permanent place in his country’s starting XV.
He has earned countless plaudits as a member of the South African Bomb Squad, with his impact from the bench oftentimes helping the Springboks solidify a precarious lead or mount an incredible comeback, but has the time come for the forward to become a regular fixture among the sides starters?
One could argue that a player with Kwagga’s unique skill set is best utilised in the second half, where margins are tighter and tensions are higher.
As displayed in the nail-biting battle against the Kiwis, Kwagga’s presence brought stability to an error-prone Springbok outfit. In the final 15 minutes, South Africa finally relinquished their role in the tug-of-war between the two sides, deciding to enforce their superiority and pin the All Blacks to their own 22.
Kwagga himself ignited the unlikely revival, getting on the scoresheet in the 69th minute. He nearly doubled his tally shortly after, with Grant Williams’ bit of inspiration stemming from a Kwagga carry and resulting ruck.
Can the Springboks’ victory be solely levelled at Kwagga’s heroics? Absolutely not.
Rugby is a team game and the win required a unified effort, but that doesn’t diminish the key role of the local rugby legend.
Would the Springboks have fallen further behind had he started? Or would they have sailed to a commanding triumph? It’s impossible to say for certain.
Kwagga started in South Africa’s first three tests of the calendar year, which included the resounding 41–13 victory over Wales in June, as well as the 27–20 win and the last-grasp 25–24 loss versus Ireland in July.
His performances were firm and dependable, if not a bit safe. The industrious forward filled in at flanker and as the eightman during this period, but has resided on the replacement bench since the start of this Rugby Championship campaign.
The biggest fault you could throw Kwagga’s way is his tendency to draw afoul of the match officials, conceding unnecessary penalties at inopportune times. But this dance on the razor’s edge of the referee’s whistle is exactly the type of fearless and daring play needed to win rugby matches, demonstrated in the clashes against Australia and New Zealand.
He has been electric, bringing a breath of fresh air when introduced onto the field, helping South Africa shift the tides of battle further into their favour.
There is also no one more committed to the benefit of the team, rather than the benefit of the individual, than Kwagga.
His dedication to the squad is unquestionable, as he will be content to sit on the sidelines for 79 minutes, and then be fully prepared to get stuck in for the final 60 seconds.
With captain Siya Kolisi seemingly the latest casualty in a series of injuries plaguing the squad, will Rassie Erasmus turn to Kwagga in this weekend’s showdown with the nation’s greatest rivals?
The answer is unclear, but whatever the decision, Kwagga Smith will be up to the task.
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