Coetzee sees Carr as just right fit
Openside selection would counter low tackle threat
THE Springboks could spring a surprise by starting Nizaam Carr at openside for Saturday’s Test against Italy at the Artemio Franchi stadium.
Against England last weekend the Boks went into the match without a specialist opensider but that was specific selection for that encounter.
They were expecting more chest high tackles rather than a battle for the ball on the deck, given that England also played without a specialist openside.
But against Italy the Boks are predicting more low tackles with the second player swooping in over the ball.
They expect Italy’s gameplan to have more breakdown focus.
Carr, who has only earned three Test caps since making his debut against Italy in Padua in 2014, was used as an openside at the Stormers when current Bok coach Allister Coetzee was coach in Cape Town.
It would be his first Test start if Coetzee confirms the selection today.
The 25-year-old has good speed and at 1.84m tall is the right size profile to play towards the ball, although it’s a job he hasn’t done regularly. Being capable of playing all three positions in the backrow has occasionally worked against the talented Carr.
If Carr does start, Willem Alberts would move back to his preferred blindside flank role. Alberts was one of the few standout performers for the Boks last weekend, making an impressive 17 tackles and frequently giving his side momentum over the gainline.
With Pieter-Steph du Toit due to return to the second row to partner Lood de Jager with Eben Etzebeth injured, the Bok backrow of Carr, Alberts and Warren Whiteley would have better balance. Teboho Mohoje should return to the bench.
“Nizaam played really well when he came on last week,” said Coetzee. “He made an impact and is a good player with the ball in hand.
“He has played openside before as well. Willem was impressive and made a lot of tackles and Lood and Pieter-Steph were right up there, which showed the pack’s high workrate.”
Otherwise the pack will remain unchanged while the backline might be in for a slight reshuffle.
Bryan Habana is fit again and should take over from Ruan Combrinck in the only likely change.
Coetzee has stressed that there needs to be continuity in selection to build some sort of momentum in a fractured year that has seen the Boks win only four of 10 Tests.
Habana’s ability under the high ball, which cost the Boks last week will be needed because Italy would have noticed the back three’s struggles last weekend.
Combrinck and Pietersen were both forced to retreat several times against England and were both exposed at times. Italy’s defence consultant, Brendan Venter, who has worked with many of the Bok players at both the Sharks and Western Province, will certainly whisper in Italian coach Conor O’Shea’s ear that it’s worth peppering the visitors again.
Probable Springboks – Willie le Roux; J P Pietersen, Francois Venter, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Pat Lambie, Rudy Paige; Warren Whiteley, Willem Alberts, Nizaam Carr, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, Vincent Koch, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Franco Mostert, Teboho Mohoje, Faf de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Lionel Mapoe.