Last chance saloon for Boks
SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee has not been deterred by the truly poor performances and results that have come his team’s way in this November tour, selecting an experimental team to face Wales today (7.30pm SA time). The inclusion of four debutants in the match-day squad speaks of a coach who perhaps is not fishing for a result when he should be.
If the Springboks go on to lose the final game of the year, Coetzee will walk away with a 0 percent win record on the end-of-year tour and a 30 percent win record overall. It really is his last chance, perhaps not to shine but at least for some redemption.
However, he has stuck to his plan to test a few of the uncapped squad members and fringe players, despite not doing so against Italy, when it seemed to make sense. The explanation from the Bok camp for playing a full-strength side against Italy was the desire to have continuity, with experimentation planned for Cardiff.
But who can blame the coach for not selecting his supposed strongest team? The men who did duty for him against Italy surely are not good enough to beat an old foe like Wales? Coetzee said this week he was hoping his injection of youthful exuberance would bring enthusiasm and vigour to the green and gold.
The men making their first starts are: Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who replaces the misfiring Damien de Allende at centre; Uzair Cassiem, who replaces the injured Willem Alberts on the blindside flank; and wing Jamba Ulengo, in for Bryan Habana. Finally, Sharks hardman Jean-Luc du Preez will have a chance off the bench for his first cap.
Other changes to the team are the dependable Lourens Adriaanse taking over from Vincent Koch at tight head, Johan Goosen returning at fullback in place of Willie le Roux, and Lions halfback pairing Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies making their first starts for several matches.
It is a good call by the coach to bring in a familiar combination among the backs, with De Klerk, Jantjies and Janse van Rensburg knowing each other well from the Lions, but an even better call would have been to include Lionel Mapoe at No 13 – instead of sticking him on the bench – to complete the Lions quartet.
The calls for change will ring loud after this game, regardless of the result, but the coach seems determined to stay. His selection of these players is part of his plans for the team’s future.