Rassie has plenty options at lock
Pieter-Steph, Lood or RG to fill in for Franco?
ONE of the cornerstones of the Springbok pack in the Rugby Championship, Franco Mostert, will miss Saturday’s end-of-year tour opener against England at Twickenham (5pm kickoff).
But coach Rassie Erasmus says the absence of the hard-working lock and other European-based players Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Francois Louw and Willie le Roux offers a number of important player opportunities.
Saturday’s Test falls outside the international window.
“None of the players who play in the Premiership are available, and neither are the players who play their club rugby in France,” said Erasmus.
Regarding possible replacements for Mostert, Erasmus said there are a lot of very good options in the second row.
“Franco is a great player and he has started most of the Tests for us this year and he will be missed,” said Erasmus.
“We are fortunate that we have someone such as Pieter-Steph du Toit, who has a lot of experience playing there, while Lood de Jager is fit again and RG Snyman is also in the squad. So we have some options to fill that position.”
Erasmus said the Test at Twickenham will offer his players a thorough examination.
“Playing against England, under pressure in a full stadium, will be a new experience for some of the players and it will provide me with some good answers,” he said.
“The English are good and physical, they are strong in the mauls and set phases, as well as on defence. They can vary their game and that’s the biggest lesson we learnt from our defeat in Cape Town in June.”
The South Africans started their on-field preparations yesterday afternoon at Latymer Upper School, where they will practise until Thursday. Erasmus will announce his match 23 for the England game on Thursday.
Meanwhile, England will look to exploit an alleged “chink” in the Bok team at scrumhalf when the countries renew battle on Saturday, according to former England flyhalf Stuart Barnes.
Barnes, who doubles as Sky Sports’ rugby expert and commentator, said in an opinion column that Faf de Klerk will be sorely missed by the Boks.
“If there is a chink in the Springbok ranks it is at scrumhalf where Faf de Klerk will be absent. He has been the revelation of the southern-hemisphere season with his furious defence and his calm control from the base,” Barnes said. “His absence is compounded by the fact that Rassie Erasmus doesn’t have much faith in any other No 9. It is a weakness in South Africa’s squad in need of addressing. It’s a weakness England will look to capitalise upon.”
Barnes added that the absence of De Klerk would crank up pressure on flyhalf Handre Pollard.
“There’ll be quite some squeeze on the steadily improving Pollard. With De Klerk not there, a huge burden of responsibility for game management will fall upon the flyhalf’s broad shoulders,” Barnes said. “His goal kicking is back to its outstanding best.”