Boks start on clean slate
NEW ERA: COETZEE CONFIDENT WHITELEY’S TROOPS WILL MAKE SA PROUD
Five players set to make their debuts in first Test against France at Loftus Versfeld today.
Promises of a new beginning beckon on the horizon for the Springboks, but they will be under the microscope in the first crunch Test against France today at Loftus.
Four players and another on the bench are set to make their Bok debuts and it’s a massive occasion in his debut Test as captain for eighthman Warren Whiteley, who was bursting with pride yesterday.
“We have laid the foundations – not just on the way we want to play, but also the team culture,” said Whiteley.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee admitted he is taking a very inexperienced side into battle against the French, who were also forced to name an inexperienced side which could level the playing field.
“Last year’s (disastrous record) is dead and buried and we have moved on, it’s a new-look side and a new beginning for all of us,” said Coetzee.
The entire back three – fullback Andries Coetzee and wings Courtnall Skosan and Raymond Rhule as well as scrumhalf Ross Cronje and wing Dillyn Leyds – are set for their debut match.
“The new caps have really impressed and then you have a guy like our captain Warren Whiteley who understands Courtnall Skosan,” enthused Coetzee.
“We have our exit players and guys who understand the counter-attacking opportunities.”
If the situation requires a goto person Coetzee said he could always rely on the like of veteran Frans Steyn on the bench.
“Frans is a jack in the box and he can drop from the 10m line and he will cover Elton Jantjies,” said Coetzee.
The coach admitted he is excited about what Jantjies and scrumhalf Ross Cronje can achieve as a combination.
“I don’t want to compare Ross to Faf (de Klerk), but Ross is somebody who can remain calm, makes good decisions and can take the heat off Elton, they know one another very well,” he said. “Elton and Ross as a halfback combination is really a no-brainer.”
Coetzee has no illusions that his team will be under pressure and admits that there will be stages “where the French will be in control of the game”.
“It’s going to be a tough Test, but it’s going to be nice for Warren to rely on a couple of fellow Lions players in the side,” Coetzee said.
“But then he can also rely on a Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Beast Mtawarira, those are the leaders in the side.”
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