Rassie tinkers with team
• Coach brings in some big guns to take on England in second Test
Test rugby‚ it is often suggested‚ is a game of inches, and in full anticipation of an England backlash in the second Test‚ the Springboks have slightly upsized their pack.
The presence of Frans Malherbe at tighthead and PieterSteph du Toit at flank will add 5cm and 6cm, respectively to the Bok forward unit‚ as Wilco Louw and Jean-Luc du Preez vacate the starting team.
On the bench, Jesse Kriel makes a return‚ while Elton Jantjies drops out of the matchday 23.
“With Jesse we just feel that when the game opened up last week we needed some speed out there and Jesse covers obviously centre and the outside backs as well‚” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
Malherbe returns after recovering from a neck injury that made him a long-term absentee. The last time he played for the Boks was against France in Durban in 2017.
Malherbe cracks the nod at the expense of Louw, who has had to carry a heavy workload this season. In Malherbe’s absence at the Stormers‚ Louw has had to see more combat than he should have.
“Wilco has just been playing every single minute, so I guess he is pretty punch drunk‚” Erasmus said.
Du Toit makes a return to the starting team, but not in his customary position in the second row. He is quite adept on the side of the scrum. However, it is his wrecking-ball runs and robust defence that earns him the nod in the loose trio.
Du Preez, who was less influential in the first Test in Johannesburg, drops to the bench. And with Jantjies dropping out‚ Willie le Roux will provide cover at flyhalf.
As expected, also in the starting line-up is Tendai Mtawarira, who will play his 100th Test for the Springboks on Saturday.
He will become the eighth prop to play in 100 Tests and the sixth Springbok to reach the milestone after Percy Montgomery (in 2008)‚ John Smit‚ Victor Matfield (both in 2010)‚ Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers (both in 2014).
“Much like a typical frontrower‚ ‘Beast’ is not someone who likes the spotlight‚” said the Bok coach. “However‚ his contribution to Springbok rugby during the past decade has been enormous and I want to congratulate him on reaching 100 Test caps for SA,” said Erasmus.
“It is a special achievement, and while he deserves the accolades‚ I know he will be totally focused on the most important job‚ and that is to face an extremely determined England side on Saturday in Bloem.”
Malherbe also paid tribute to his durable teammate.
“I think it is an amazing achievement for Beast. I’m very proud of him.
“What an honour to play alongside him in his 100th Test. He was there when I made my debut. I’ll do anything to make it special for him on Saturday,” said the teammate.