‘Current crop of Boks fittest’

Jantjies to pull strings at flyhalf

The Springboks are not too far behind the all-conquering New Zealand in terms of physical conditioning, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.

Though he admitted that his assertion is likely to be challenged by some because of his team’s inconsistencies, Erasmus maintained the current crop of Springbok players are the fittest bunch he has worked with.

“I know people will say how can you say that? But I know that this is the fittest bunch of players I have worked with,” said Erasmus. “In terms of fitness and conditioning, I really think we are up there with the best in the world.”

Erasmus on Thursday announced six changes to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium.

Elton Jantjies will notably replace struggling Handrè Pollard at flyhalf.

“In stature, aura, experience and those sorts of things, we are still behind them but in the conditioning department we don’t stand too far back.

“I know in our last match against Argentina effort was not good enough but fitness is not the thing that is our problem,” he said.

In the changes he’s made for Saturday’s clash, Steven Kitshoff will start in the place of Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi for Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit for Francois Louw, Jantjies for Pollard, Damian de Allende for André Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel for Lukhanyo Am.

Captain Siya Kolisi is the only positional change as he returns to openside flanker after he played on the opposite side of the scrum in the two matches against Argentina in Durban and Mendoza.