Erasmus embracing fan pressure on Springboks
PORT ELIZABETH: The mood in South Africa has changed significantly in the few weeks since the Springboks last played Australia.
A win against the All Blacks in New Zealand will do that.
But coach Rassie Erasmus’s approach to the hype on their return home this week means there has been no complacency ahead of tomorrow’s test in Port Elizabeth.
He views the public pressure — both good and bad — as a privilege the highprofile side should enjoy and feels a ‘‘responsibility to perform and repay them’’.
‘‘The media, the press, fans get negative but you have to see it as a hell of a positive,’’ he said.
‘‘I think that’s when you’re in trouble, when people stop getting disappointed when you’re not doing well.
‘‘Now, we get one result, people are selling out the stadiums; we’re privileged to play in a country where people get upset when you lose, don’t just forget about you.’’
Australia is bottom of the Rugby Championship standings on five points, behind New Zealand (16), South Africa (10) and Argentina (8), and has won only two of its past nine games.
But one of those was a 2318 defeat of South Africa in Brisbane this month.
‘‘There’s a different pressure this week than last week,’’ Erasmus mused. ‘‘Last week nobody gave us a chance. This week everyone expects us to beat Australia, who beat us last time.’’
The Boks will unleash Tendai ‘‘Beast’’ Mtawarira at loosehead prop while zippy winger Cheslin Kolbe and No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe will make their runon debuts at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Jesse Kriel moves from the wing to outside centre in a revamped midfield after injuries to Damian de Allende, Warren Whiteley and Lukhanyo Am.
Meanwhile, Taniela Tupou has muscled his way into Michael Cheika’s starting side in one of four changes to the Wallabies.
The Queensland weapon — known as ‘‘Tongan Thor’’ — has bumped Allan Alaalatoa to the bench for his first test start.
The hulking prop’s promotion will resonate with the Springboks after his efforts in their last encounter.
Tupou (22) made the difference when he entered the fray in Brisbane, turning the scrum battle in Australia’s favour as it held on for a gutsy 2318 win.
A mobile ball runner despite being listed at 135kg, Tupou has the perfect platform to impress as the Wallabies seek their first win in South Africa since 2011.
Australia has slipped to an alltime low of seventh in the world rankings after a spluttering offence and leaky defence condemned it to a rare loss to Argentina on the Gold Coast.
Late personnel changes have not helped arrest the slide. Captain Michael Hooper and fellow first choice loose forward David Pocock were among 11thhour omissions earlier in the series.
Cheika has enjoyed a steadier buildup to this test in the coastal city though, with Hooper (hamstring) fit to return and join Ned Hanigan in a reworked back row.
The pair will replace Lukhan Tui (personal leave) and Pete Samu (knee), while lock Adam Coleman usurps Rory Arnold in the starting lineup.
Israel Folau has again been named on the wing while Bernard Foley will remains on the bench as Cheika persists with Kurtley Beale at fiveeighth and Matt Toomua as a second playmaker. — AAP