Heyneke Meyer has given a clear indication as to what his intentions are for the 2013 End Of Year Tour.

It seems likely that Meyer will use this End Of Year Tour to test combinations building up to the 2015 World Cup.

Meyer who is known as a coach who likes to stick with the same core players, will be trying a new approach this End Of Year Tour.

Meyer stated: “This tour is not about winning every match, although naturally the Boks will be playing to win, but about throwing different players into the mix to see if they will sink and swim in the conditions that the Boks will encounter at the World Cup two years from now.”

“Next year we will pick the best team and try to get them playing together for as many games as possible, but right now, two years out from the World Cup, I want to find out if some of the guys can make it.”

“You still want to win games now, but I would rather see mistakes now than at the World Cup.”

“You need to give guys opportunities (to show what they can do).”

“If I remember last year’s tour to the north, we learned a lot about the players.”

“Some aren’t with the team any more, while others have gone from strength to strength.”

“I have decided that it really doesn’t matter what happens in the first game against Wales, some players will get a chance against Scotland. And by the end of the tour we should know at least 25 to 30 players who will go to the World Cup.”

This is a high risk move, considering that England is close to move into second place in the IRB World rankings.

This will also deliver the chance for Meyer to sort out the depth problem the Springboks have at tighthead prop, No 5 lock and to sort out the centre debate – on who should play at No 12 and No 13. Could we maybe also see Bryan Habana move back to No 13 with De Villiers at No 12?

This is the time to sort out these critical matters.