Allister resists wielding axe
Despite huge public pressure, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee yesterday resisted the temptation to make wholescale changes for the two remaining Rugby Championship Tests after the thrashing they received last weekend from the All Blacks in Albany.
The addition of the experienced 52-Test flanker from Bath, Francois Louw, will be welcomed while scrumhalf Francois Hougaard has paid the price for his indifferent performances and had been dropped from the 30-man squad.
Louw and the inclusions of the uncapped Sharks duo of S’busiso Nkosi (wing) and Louis Schreuder (scrumhalf), were the only new additions, while there’s still no place for X-factor players like centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and wing Ruan Combrinck.
With flank Jaco Kriel out for the season after a shoulder operation, Coetzee was pleased with the return of the seasoned Louw who missed the June Tests due to a shoulder injury.
“He is still regarded as one of the best opensiders playing towards the ball and forcing turnovers,” said Coetzee.
While it was somewhat surprising that wingers Courtnall Skosan and Raymond Rhule were retained after being poor the whole year, Coetzee said Screuder, 27, and Nkosi deserved their call-ups.
“Louis and S’bu have both performed well this season, and their inclusion gives us an opportunity to work closely with them,” said Coetzee. “They are both in-form players and are making good decisions on the field in their respective positions. Their inclusion and exposure to this level will continue our process of building depth in certain positions.”
Players not considered include prop Coenie Oosthuizen who suffered a broken arm in Perth against Australia two weeks ago, while Kriel sustained his shoulder injury in the same match.
Injured skipper Warren Whiteley is still recovering from a groin operation, and prop Frans Malherbe (neck) is also still out, while loose forward Oupa Mohoje is scheduled to return to the playing field this weekend after spending the last month sidelined with a rib injury.
The Boks will be hoping to regain lost pride next weekend in Bloemfontein against Australia followed by the return match against New Zealand a week later at Newlands.