BOKS KEEP FAITH IN SIYA
SQUAD: BRINK, VAN STADEN AND WILLEMSE EARN THEIR MAIDEN CALL-UPS
Erasmus snubs Lions duo Combrinck and Kwagga for the Rugby Championship.
National coach Rassie Erasmus believes it only made sense to continue with flank Siya Kolisi as Springbok captain for the Rugby Championship despite the return from injury of former skippers lock Eben Etzebeth and eighthman Warren Whiteley.
Kolisi lead the side during the June 2-1 series win over England, with Etzebeth not having game time since last year when he injured his arm, while Whiteley only returned a few weeks back from a knee injury which also sidelined him for the June Tests.
“Eben and Warren have been out of the Bok mix for a while because of injury so it’s very pleasing to have them back in the squad,” said Erasmus yesterday.
A squad of 35 was announced for the championship which kicks off in Durban against Argentina next weekend.
A big boost for the squad also sees the return of hooker Malcolm Marx, Bath flanker Francois Louw, centre Lionel Mapoe and scrumhalf Ross Cronje.
The injury of Sharks wing Sbu Nkosi opened the door for Sharks team-mate Lwazi Mvovo to return to the national set-up, but two Lions players – wing Ruan Combrinck and flank Kwagga Smith – find themselves out in the cold.
Mapoe’s return was due after an injury ruled centre Damian de Allende out, while the return to fitness of Marx has seen veteran Schalk Brits losing out after his surprise call-up in June.
“Malcolm has regained his good form with the Lions since recovering from his injury,” said Erasmus.
Three new caps in flankers Cyle Brink (Lions) and Marco van Staden (Bulls) as well as young Stormers flyhalf Damian Willemse have been named, but both Marx and Jean-luc du Preez are to undergo medical examinations.
Willemse, according to Erasmus, will get game time at 15 while Elton Jantjies will remain the second-choice at No 10.
The bulk of the players have been training in Stellenbosch for a few weeks, with the Lions contingent set to join them tomorrow.
The men from Johannesburg returned yesterday after the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The squad will continue with preparations in Cape Town until Friday and following a two-day break will then reassemble in Durban on Sunday to continue with their build-up towards the Rugby Championship opener.
Players who were not considered because of injury include De Allende, Warrick Gelant, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane (all Bulls), Coenie Oosthuizen and Nkosi (Sharks).
He once again drew stinging criticism for an inconsistent performance in last weekend’s Super Rugby final but Elton Jantjies shouldn’t be worried about his Springbok place.
National coach Rassie Erasmus yesterday gave the embattled Lions flyhalf his full backing after selecting him as the official deputy in the No 10 jersey for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
“If Handre Pollard goes down now, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind who’ll replace him,” he said.
“That man will be Elton. He’ll be the second choice and we’ll run with him.”
Jantjies’ ability is not in doubt but rather his ability to consistently keep up the high standards he’s capable of.
The 27-year-old attacked the gainline well in the second half of the final in Christchurch but also made vital errors such as carrying the ball over his own tryline and launching a poor up-and-under that led to the Crusaders’ second try.
“Whatever his hiccups are at those final hurdles, we must address them,” said Erasmus. “It’s something we can help him out with.”
The Bok mentor also believes that Jantjies’ contribution towards guiding the Lions to three consecutive finals has to count for something.
“To take your side into three Super Rugby finals as flyhalf suggests that you’re so close to realising something really great,” said Erasmus.
“It must be tough falling short so close to the line and then have people judging you just on that. Even a guy like (All Black pivot) Beauden Barrett played against the Crusaders the previous week and his Hurricanes got beaten soundly. That’s the margins involved. Some step up, and some need that extra bit of help.”
Character is something Erasmus values highly in a player and he’s not averse to letting people know that Jantjies has that in abundance.
“I actually didn’t know Elton personally before I started coaching him this year. I’m not here to defend a player’s character but some of the best players to work with are those who always analyse and try to become better. Those guys that stay later to practise that little bit extra. That’s him.”