South Africa primed for tough challenges as European tour looms; Coles back for All Blacks but rejects captaincy
JOHANNESBURG: Improving away form, finding an alternative scrum-half and picking more black starters are among the challenges facing South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus on a November tour of Europe.
The Springboks, who have won five Tests and lost five this season, face England, France, Scotland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays from Nov. 3.
South Africa have fared poorly in Europe since finishing third behind champions New Zealand and Australia at the 2015 rugby World Cup in England, winning just two of seven Tests.
Among the five defeats spanning two visits was a thrashing from Ireland in Dublin and a humiliating first loss to Italy as they fell in Florence.
Last month, the Springboks achieved the seemingly impossible by defeating the virtually invincible All Blacks in Wellington -- their first win in New Zealand since 2009.
But that totally unexpected triumph came after away losses to Wales, Argentina and Australia, with the disappointment of the results exacerbated by poor performances.
The Springboks have often battled in Europe because they struggle to adapt to alien tactics, heavy pitches, torrential rain, biting cold and partisan crowds. They also struggle to solve problems set by teams there, like high kicks, with Ireland continually exploiting that South African weakness in Dublin last year.
“This tour to the northern hemisphere will be test of the character of our team,” said Erasmus, a former Springbok flanker who succeeded sacked Allister Coetzee this year.
“We are looking forward to facing the challenges posed by England, France, Scotland and Wales.”
The coach has been criticised for relying too heavily on some players, notably scrum-half Faf de Klerk from English Premiership club Sale Sharks.
COLES BOOST FOR ALL BLACKS
New Zealand hooker Dane Coles is fighting fit for his return to the All Blacks side this weekend against Japan, but he has ruled out taking the captain’s armband.
The 31-year-old has won 56 caps for New Zealand but has been sidelined for almost a year with a serious knee injury.
“Just because of the year I’ve had, I’ve got to be little bit selfish here,” Coles said Monday.
“It’s (captaincy) probably not the best thing for me to do. I’ve still got a lead role, if I play, in this team,” he added.
“But there’s obviously a lot of young guys coming through and whoever the captain is I’ll support him.”
Coles is itching to make his New Zealand comeback in Tokyo on Saturday when he will lock horns with his former Wellington Lions coach Jamie Joseph, now in charge of 2019 World Cup hosts Japan.
New Zealand are set to field a second-string side against the 2019 World Cup hosts after beating Australia 37-20 in Yokohama at the weekend to complete a 3-0 Bledisloe Cup whitewash.
ASHLEY-COOPER RETURNS
Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-cooper has been drafted into Australia’s training squad in Japan this week, raising the possibility of a return two years after winning his last cap.
The 34-year-old utility back made the last of his 116 appearances for the Wallabies in a 29-9 defeat by the All Blacks in August 2016 when he was subbed off early with a suspected concussion.
Injuries to Reece Hodge (ankle) and Tevita Kuridrani (pectoral) have led Australia coach Michael Cheika to turn to Ashley-cooper, who plays his club rugby in Japan alongside All Blacks legend Dan Carter at the Kobe Steelers.
“Adam will train with us, we’ll see where he’s at,” Cheika said Monday after the weekend’s bruising 37-20 Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand in Yokohama.
“He’s come on the tour with us to be available for selection, he’s not coming for a holiday.
“His experience is important and also just his versatility, his ability to cover a few positions,” added the under-fire Wallabies coach, who also called up 18-year-old rookie sensation Jordan Petaia.