As opposed to the 43-man squad for the Rugby Championship, the Boks will only be making use of a 32-man squad for the three Tests against Wales, Scotland, and England in the coming weeks.

Nienaber feels that they are blessed to have so many versatile players and this does have an impact on his team's selections.

“If you look at our squad, the one thing that we are blessed with, is having some pretty versatile players.

“Lukhanyo Am can play at wing. He plays at outside centre and then covered the wing when Sbu Nkosi went off. We've got Frans Steyn who can cover at multiple options.

“Cheslin is not on tour, but he pretty much can play from scrumhalf to anywhere. I don't think that there is a position where he cannot play.

“We are fortunate in our set-up and I think that sometimes gives us the opportunity to go with a six-two split or five-three split, all depending on who you are playing against in that game.”

The Springboks are currently in France before heading to Wales for next week’s Test against Wales in Cardiff.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport