Sanele Nohamba must make his Test debut at flyhalf for the Springboks in the season-opener against Wales at Twickenham, according to SARugbymag.co.za readers.
Nohamba, who has scored 106 points in 13 games for the Lions this season, came out as the overwhelming favourite in a poll of candidates to don the No 10 jersey against Wales, receiving nearly 50% of the vote.
The Springboks are set to be without a host of players for their first Test of the year on 22 June, as it falls on the same day as the Vodacom URC final.
The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls are fighting for a place in the URC playoffs, and are the most likely of the local franchises to go all the way in the competition.
Given the clash with Wales falls outside the official Test window, players based in the UK, Ireland and France will also be unavailable for selection.
This means that Leicester-based Handre Pollard and Stormers playmaker Manie Libbok are set to be among a mass of players unavailable for the Springboks.
Cheslin Kolbe, who has prior experience at flyhalf, was the second favourite after Nohamba to fill in at No 10, earning 23% of votes.
Siya Masuku, who has steered the Sharks’ revival in the Challenge Cup, received 13% of votes.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
