Coetzee rings changes for possibly his final Test

CARDIFF — The rumour mill is in overdrive but Allister Coetzee doesn’t have time to dwell on the fact that tomorrow’s Test against Wales may be his last in charge of the Springboks.

He has a dragon to slay and there simply isn’t time to ponder such diversions‚ yet.

“If you want a good holiday‚ you must earn it‚” he said‚ sounding remarkably like one of his predecessors‚ Peter de Villiers.

“This week has been other Test week. like any

“It’s about getting over challenges. You have to make sure preparations are in place.”

Part of the preparation is assembling a team that can beat Wales on home soil. The last two Bok teams failed. Like Wales earlier in the day‚ Coetzee yesterday made five changes to his starting team.

Having made his debut off the bench last week‚ Warrick Gelant now finds himself in the Springbok starting line-up.

Gelant will be on the wing in the place of Courtnall Skosan, who drops from the match 23 after some underwhelming performances.

Loosehead Tendai Mtawarira has not recovered from a quad injury and his place goes to Steven Kitshoff.

In the backrow Dan du Preez comes in for Duane Vermeulen‚ while Siya Kolisi‚ as expected, replaces Francois Louw.

It is Gelant’s elevation‚ however‚ that got Coetzee slightly giddy.

“I’m really excited to see him start. This is a great opportunity for Warrick. He has performed consistently.

“He understands both positions (wing and fullback). He is an astute kicker for a winger and he spots space.”

There would have been talk of him possibly including Gelant at the expense of fullback Andries Coetzee‚ but the coach defended his namesake.

“Andries is an underrated player‚” he said.

“He has a low error rate. You need that kind of consistency.”

In the pack Coetzee was forced into changing his front and back rows.

There had been concern for the fitness of the 98-times-capped Mtawarira who was forced from the field in Padua.

This will be the second Test he misses this year after he under slightly mysterious circumstances was given time off for the Newlands Test against the All Blacks in October.

In the other front row change Malcolm Marx returns to the middle of the scrum.

On the bench there is movement too.

Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and centre Lukhanyo Am feature among the reserves.

“You have to give players opportunity. They can contribute at this level‚” said Coetzee‚ who admitted it was difficult to change the team following their opening defeat to Ireland. — TimesLIVE