Boks on notice ahead of Euro tour: Here's the half dozen with plenty to gain and lose

The Springbok end-of-year tour, where they will face Ireland, France, Italy, and England, may serve as a last-chance saloon for several Bok players.

With the Springboks going through the motions during their southern hemisphere leg of the season, they need to be at a point where they know what works and what doesn't.

This time next year, the World Cup final will be three days away, and what the Boks do now in terms of clearing deadwood and blooding fresh talent will go a long way in determining if Jacques Nienaber's side will make their second appearance at the Stade de France.

The Springbok squad will be named on Friday and if this half-dozen gets on the flight to Dublin, they've got a lot to prove:

1. Joseph Dweba

With Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi having locked down the starting and bench places, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Dweba carries tackle bags for the bulk of the tour.

That may not be necessarily great for him as he hasn't quite shot the lights out at the Stormers (it's still early though), while his lineout throwing has come under scrutiny.

With the Boks basing most of their energies on the maul as a source of points and momentum, it becomes critical for Dweba to sort out this aspect of his game.

His scrumming and loose play are top class, but hookers are picked based on how frequently they find their jumpers.

Scarra Ntubeni is slowly working his way back to full fitness and he's very good in the lineouts, which means Dweba needs to use the Bok tour to keep Ntubeni at bay when he returns.

2. Jesse Kriel

The thing with Kriel is that he doesn't do a lot wrong. What he needs to contend with is the quality of the players he battles with in the various positions.

At 13, he must contend with Lukhanyo Am and at wing,