Fortified Springbok side only looks good on paper
Inevitable that changes would come to team after losing 57-0 to All Blacks
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has shuffled the deck chairs, but is it too little too late on what appears to be a sinking ship, even if a mediocre Australia are dispatched in Bloemfontein tomorrow (5.05pm)?
The inclusion of veteran flank Francois Louw, wing Dillyn Leyds and scrumhalf Ross Cronjé for Jean-Luc du Preez, Raymond Rhule and Francois Hougaard respectively, appears to strengthen the team on paper, although it still feels far from a potentially great side.
Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle is drafted onto the bench for his first cap since 2013 after serving a two-year ban for taking a metabolite of an anabolic steroid, drostanolone, while recovering from injury at French club Toulouse in early 2014.
After losing 57-0 to the All Blacks in Albany two weeks ago, it was inevitable that changes would come, especially in the case of Rhule whose 18 missed tackles in four matches was just too poor to ignore any longer.
Leyds is a dazzling player but will be asked some tough defensive questions while Cronje’s return after missing the Albany debacle will add a little more direction and accuracy at halfback.
Coetzee, though, bristled when quizzed on the apparent contradiction of backing Rhule on Monday, only to axe him on Tuesday.
“I’m very happy with Raymond Rhule, I haven’t discarded him, and he will join us again on Sunday,” Coetzee said.
“One also has to understand that a player like Dillyn Leyds has been knocking on the door and playing well.
“There are certain boxes that Raymond does tick as a winger. His kick-chase is good, his cross cover is good and he moves well off his wing. But the reality is that he does have to work on his defence, and that’s no secret.
“With the process
I’m following, it is time that I do look at what Dillyn can do and bring to this side.”
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has also made three changes to the side that comfortably saw off Argentina two weeks ago as, like his South African counterpart, he searches for answers.