Mohoje faces intense scrutiny

FLANK Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje, 24, will come under intense scrutiny after he was named to start for the Springboks against Australia at Newlands on Saturday.

CAPE TOWN — “I’ve been selected on merit.” That was the message from flank Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje, after he was named to start for the Springboks against Australia on Saturday, writes Craig Ray.

Mohoje’s selection has been marred slightly by weeks of questioning from politicians, some sections of the media and fans as to why coach Heyneke Meyer was overlooking the callow back-rower, after his Test debut off the bench against Scotland in June.

Lions No 8 Warren Whiteley and veteran Juan Smith, who were not originally in the Bok squad, were brought in when Willem Alberts was sidelined by a back injury, and leapfrogged Mohoje in the pecking order.

There were sound rugby reasons for that, as Whiteley covered No 8 — a position Mohoje is not comfortable with at this stage of his development — and Smith had experience in a tough environment when the team travelled to Salta to face the Pumas. But Mohoje’s nonselection became a political issue and now that he has been included, he has had to defend his selection.

“I was selected on merit, the coach told me that I’m here on merit,” Mohoje said. “I know there has been talk about my selection but I don’t let it get to me and I don’t let it get into my head.

“Selection is the coach’s choice and all you can do is stay positive. If I think that earlier this year I was playing Varsity Cup and now I’m starting for the Springboks, I’ve come a long way. Just being part of the Springboks is a massive privilege and then getting game time is an even greater privilege. You have to keep learning.

“I’ve always known where I stand with coach Heyneke. We’ve had constant one-on-ones and he told me what I needed to work on and that soon I would play. The time is here now.

“It’s a massive opportunity and I’ll have to use it because you never know if it will be your last.”

Mohoje is match-shy, having last played for the Cheetahs 10 weeks ago in a Super Rugby clash against the Lions at Ellis Park.

“I haven’t played much rugby but that shouldn’t affect me,” he said. “I feel like it’s a mental battle and I will overcome it.”