Rassie all ready to ring the changes

DESPITE going 1-0 up in the three-match series last weekend, and not having any serious injury concerns, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted he will tinker with his lineup for the second Test against England in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The only casualty from recent days is prop Trevor Nyakane (rib), but he didn’t even take the field in the 42-39 win at Ellis Park last weekend, meaning Erasmus has a full squad to pick from, and then some.

Veteran hooker Schalk Brits was added to the group when they assembled on Sunday and Erasmus said the recently retired 37-year-old would be considered for the second Test.

Erasmus is insisting he has to try a few things and look at other players in the coming weeks and months. On top of that, there are some players, like tighthead prop Wilco Louw, who came in for Nyakane at the last minute last week to start in Johannesburg, who simply need a break.

“Look, it’s tempting to stick with the same guys (that played last weekend), to give us our best chance of winning on Saturday,” said Erasmus at the Bok hotel yesterday, “but we also have to try a few things. We only have 16 matches left until the World Cup ... and you don’t want to be trying things against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina away.

“We’ll take things one week at a time, but there will be one, two, or three subtle changes; nothing major. We have to see how certain guys perform.”

The Bok coach said the exciting Thomas du Toit, who featured against Wales in Washington DC and from off the bench last weekend, would be considered as a replacement for the tired Louw, while there could be further changes in the second row, back row and in midfield.

Frans Malherbe is the other tighthead prop in the squad and he and Du Toit could be involved, with Louw sitting out, while it would come as no surprise were Pieter-Steph du Toit to get a look-in this week, as lock replacement for Franco Mostert, or as blindside flank in place of Jean-Luc du Preez.

In midfield there’s also a chance Erasmus will give young Andre Esterhuizen a run instead of Damian de Allende.

There could also be changes on the bench, with Erasmus keen to see as many of his squad members in action over the course of the series.

While there are no major injury concerns, flyhalf Handre Pollard is nursing a shoulder problem, picked up in the latter stages of the first Test. “Handre is okay, he looks okay ... he will train from today (Monday) ... we’ll manage him through the week,” said a somewhat hesitant Erasmus.

Meanwhile, a month after calling time on his career and just weeks after playing his last game for Saracens, Brits is back in rugby – and in position to face a number of teammates and friends in Eddie Jones’ England team.

Brits, who spent 11 seasons with Saracens, watched the Boks beat England as a fan in the Ellis Park crowd only to be called up for the remaining two Tests – on Saturday and at Newlands, his one-time homeground, next weekend.

“I was in Ibiza last week, before going to Joburg to watch the game. It was the first time I’d ever watched the Boks as a fan in the stands. And what a game,” Brits said. “I had a few holiday plans for this week and next week, too, but those will have to wait now.”

Erasmus, who worked with Brits at the Stormers several years ago, said the hooker would very much be in the selection mix this week and next Saturday in Cape Town.

“He’ll definitely be considered. The whole squad knows where they stand. We have to try a few things ... and it’s important we learn from each other ... Schalk is not here to fill a coaching role only, but to be considered (to play) at the right time,” Erasmus said.

Erasmus though said that Brits, with all his experience, would also fulfil a mentorship role.

“We wanted Bismarck (du Plessis) here, but that didn’t work out ... but now the guys in the squad can learn from Schalk, rub shoulders with him; pick up things about the smaller aspects of hooker play. He’s played in different conditions and in different countries ... just like Faf (de Klerk), Duane (Vermeulen) and Willie (le Roux). I know what Schalk can bring to the squad,” he said.

“We’ll reassess our situation after the Cape Town Test, but Schalk is fit and strong, like the other overseas guys who came in, having last played a game just over two weeks ago. The more guys we can get into our squad who’ve been there and done it, the better.”

Brits will, of course, also be able to pass on some inside knowledge of the England players.

Erasmus also confirmed yesterday that De Klerk and Le Roux had been secured to play for the Boks in the Rugby Championship later this year.

“Faf and Willie will be available later this year, but not Duane ... he might only be able to play certain games,” said Erasmus. “But we need to see how we can get along without him anyway, and the likes of Warren (Whiteley) will be back by then, and also Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Lizo (Gqoboka) and Coenie Oosthuizen.”