‘Less of a threat’
Springboks coach relieved by Folau’s absence
SPRINGBOKS coach Rassie Erasmus insists he is isn’t disrespecting the Wallabies by picking an under-strength team for this weekend’s Rugby Championship clash but admits he doesn’t have to worry as much now that Israel Folau is not among the Australian ranks.
Erasmus believes the visitors will certainly be weaker without Folau up their sleeve in a game where the Australians will be looking to break a 56-year drought at Ellis Park.
It was no secret Erasmus was going to rest some of his best players for next week’s hit-out against the All Blacks in New Zealand but the outfit he has assembled is far from a B-side.
Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springboks while regular skipper Siya Kolisi recovers from a knee injury.
Prop Tendai Mtawarira, second-rower Lood de Jager, No.7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, five-eighth Elton Jantjies and Jesse Kriel are among the big names that will line-up for South Africa tomorrow.
Players such as Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard have been left out of the team due to workload management ahead of a New Zealand fixture the Springboks clearly view as more important than the Australian one.
“I give you my word, there is no disrespect to Australia at all,” Erasmus told reporters. “It’s a bit of a juggling act. We just feel for this specific game and the way Australia play, it’s a width game, outflanking game, a high-pace game and a ball in play game … we feel it’s the best combination to contain them speed-wise.”
With no Folau among the Wallabies, Erasmus can breathe a sigh of relief knowing his men won’t have to contain the aerial prowess of one of Australia’s greatest fullbacks.
However, Folau wasn’t particularly devastating against South Africa during his Test days, crossing just twice in 10 appearances.
It is Australia’s first Test without Folau since he was sacked by Rugby Australia for posting to social media an image that said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.
“They’ll be less of a threat aerially without him … that is one thing you worry about,” Erasmus said.