Uzair has big shoes to fill
CASSIEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHITELEY IN THE WIDER CHANNELS Curwin Bosch on the bench to cover fullback and flyhalf.
Uzair Cassiem would be expected to bring a similar magic to the Springboks as injured captain and No 8 Warren Whiteley used to do. This, according to Bok coach Allister Coetzee, is the reason he has picked Cassiem at No 8 as he made three changes to his starting team for the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium here tomorrow, a venue where they are unbeaten in four Tests since 2011.
“Uzair is a very similar player to Warren in the wider channels. While in the June Tests we only have one No 8 in Warren, now we have three, together with Dan du Preez,” said Coetzee.
The coach has also named Coenie Oosthuizen at tighthead in place of Ruan Dreyer while Frans Malherbe is ruled out with a neck injury, and at scrumhalf Ross Cronje returns after missing the third French Test.
“Coenie knows he has a role to play for us, it’s not just about running and carrying,” said Coetzee ahead of the Boks’ 100th game in this competition since 1996.
“On the bench, Trevor Nyakane is being rewarded because he is what we call a ‘swinger’ as he can play on both sides and we can only take five props to Argentina for the next game.”
As expected Coetzee also named the young Curwin Bosch on the bench to cover both fullback and flyhalf.
“With Frans Steyn gone, Curwin will cover both 10 and 15. After all, who else was I supposed to pick?” said Coetzee.
The Bok coach also said it made all the sense in the world to retain Jaco Kriel at the No 7 flank with Jean-Luc du Preez to provide the cover from the bench.
“Siya Kolisi and Jaco performed well as a flank combination in the third French Test and with their experience, they will help the captain Eben Etzebeth a great deal with the calls he will have to make,” said Coetzee.
Coetzee said they are expecting a much tougher challenge than they experienced against France.
“We weren’t really tested in the kicking department against the French, while Argentina will also ask big questions of us in the broken play and I know we will be tested there,” he said.
We weren’t really tested in the kicking department against the French, while Argentina will also ask big questions of us. Allister Coetzee Springbok coach