'There's no disrespect to Australia at all'
South Africa's fielding of a second-string team for their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies shouldn't be seen as a sign of disrespect, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Springboks named three debutants in their squad, including starting halfback Herschel Jantjies, to face the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Only half a dozen of the line-up could be considered first-choice players, while a group of 15 have already departed for New Zealand to prepare for the Test against the world No.1 side in Wellington next weekend.
Erasmus says his selections were forced by the travel schedule.
"There's no disrespect to Australia at all," Erasmus said.
"If we didn't have the tough draw in terms of travelling with New Zealand and Australia we would have picked the best first choice team for this one and the next."
He also said it was also about giving match time to as many players as possible ahead of the World Cup starting in Japan in September.
The coach said Australia's schedule - hosting bottom-ranked Argentina next round - meant they could take a different approach and felt they would see the Springboks match as "must-win" after losing nine Tests last year.
"Australia is in a different boat. I think if you take their last few matches, end of last year, they would like to pick up some momentum," Erasmus said.
"I guess they will see this as a big must-win for them and I guess that's why they've probably picked their first choice team."
Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth will cover for injured captain Siya Kolisi while blindside flanker Rynhardt Elstadt, who plays for Toulouse, will also make his debut.
Prop Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls) is also set to earn his debut off the bench, alongside 2007 World Cup winner Francois Steyn who is back in the squad for the first time in two years.
Jantjies will partner Elton Jantjies in a new-look halves combination with Erasmus eager to see what the 23-year-old Stormers rookie can deliver.
"Herschel has knocked down the door with the way he played in Super Rugby," the coach said.
"When he came up against some of the best players in Super Rugby, he stood his ground and was consistent on attack and defence."
Exciting Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant and Sharks wingers S’busiso Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi have been named specifically to counter Australia's preferred attacking style.
"Australia play a width game, a high-paced outflanking game," Erasmus said.
"They tend to try to go around you and we feel with those two and Warwick at the back, it's the best combination to try and contain them speed wise."
Springboks: Warrick Gelant, S’busiso Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (c), Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka, Vincent Koch, Marvin Orie, Marcell Coetzee, Cobus Reinach, Francois Steyn, Dillyn Leyds.
- AAP
Latest Comments
It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
Go to comments