Boks face ‘do-or-die’ clash
RASSIE: NO SECOND CHANCES FOR BOKS AGAINST ITALY Willemse to fly to Japan to replace the injured Jesse Kriel.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus considers this week’s clash against Italy as a do-or-die eliminator for a place in the Rugby World Cup playoffs. While the Boks had dropped a game in their opener against New Zealand, Italy had secured big bonus-point wins over Namibia and Canada, and Erasmus admitted Friday’s clash with the Azzurri in Shizuoka would be crucial.
“We are at the stage already where there are no second chances,” he said. “That’s a message we have been emphasising to the players this week.”
Erasmus reverted to his firstchoice team yesterday after a ‘B’ side thumped Namibia in their second pool match last week.
With centre Jesse Kriel being forced to return home after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, joining prop Trevor Nyakane among the tournament casualties, he was set to be replaced by utility back Damian Willemse.
Currently on loan to Saracens, Willemse was expected to link up with the squad tomorrow, joining front-rower Thomas du Toit among their reinforcements.
Surprisingly, Erasmus named hooker Malcolm Marx, lock Franco Mostert and prop Steven Kitshoff on the bench, with Bongi Mbonambi, Lood de Jager and Beast Mtawarira retaining their starting places after making an impact in the win over Namibia.
It was Erasmus’ call to go into this Test with just two backline replacements, however, which had created the most interest following the team announcement.
“Italy have a very good pack and put a lot of effort in their set phases,” Erasmus said.
“People may think it is a gamble to have only two back replacements, but we want to have plenty of ammunition for what is likely to be a major forwards battle.”
He was confident they had enough versatility among their backs, who could cover a number of positions, and he felt they had planned for enough scenarios to give his side the edge.
It was clear from the Namibia clash that the Boks would continue to be spearheaded by their forwards, taking a rolling maul approach in their run for the playoffs, though they were also hoping to execute better with their kicking strategy.
“It’s a 23-player game these days and the players who come on will be expected to contribute almost as much in game time as those who start among the front rowers,” Erasmus said.
“But for this game we are asking the players we have chosen to start to set the tone.”