Why Meyer wielded the axe
TAKING ACTION: COACH MAKES FIVE CHANGES AFTER IRELAND DEBACLE Lambie given the opportunity to dictate matters at flyhalf.
Coach Heyneke Meyer remained adamant yesterday that he didn’t hit the panic button, despite wielding the selection axe. But after five players were dropped from the Bok starting line-up to face England this weekend, it does appear though that scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and flyhalf Handre Pollard have been made the scapegoats of the 29-15 drubbing by Ireland.
They are replaced by Cobus Reinach, who gets a maiden start in the Bok jersey, and the tactically sound kicking of Pat Lambie, who has seen precious little game time this year from the bench.
But while most fingers have been pointed at Hougaard, and it automatically translated to Pollard, the poor protection from the Bok pack made life extremely difficult for the scrumhalf.
“Pat started at Twickenham for us two years ago and did very well,” said the embattled Meyer.
“He’s playing well and I wanted to give him the opportunity to start. Pat is tactically very astute and even though he’s still pretty young, he’s got a lot of experience.”
Reinach also appeared a bit rattled last weekend when he replaced the struggling Hougaard, but Meyer said they had the fullest confidence that the young halfback will be up for the challenge.
“It’s a big occasion for Cobus but he would not have been here if we didn’t believe he could deliver, and he’ll be next to his provincial team-mate in Pat,” said Meyer.
The other changes see flank Schalk Burger, hooker Adriaan Strauss and wing JP Pietersen starting at the expense of Oupa Mohoje, Bismarck du Plessis and Cornal Hendricks respectively.
“Adriaan, Schalk and JP have all started a number of Tests this year and they will slot in easily – we decided beforehand that we wanted to start all of these players in one of the first two Tests on tour,” said Meyer.
“As usual, we’re also expecting our replacements to raise the intensity when they’re sent on and Bismarck, who had a very good game in Dublin, especially in the set-pieces. Oupa, Francois, Cornal and Handré will provide important cover off the bench.”