Battle of Bok pivots looms at Newlands

Saturday’s Green vs Gold Springbok trial match has the potential to develop into an enthralling duel between rival flyhalves Elton Jantjies and Damian Willemse at Newlands (kickoff 5pm).

With a glowing endorsement from SA’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus ringing in his ears, Jantjies has played down talk that it will be a shoot-out with Willemse.

With ace kicker and No 1 flyhalf Handré Pollard sidelined by a horrific knee injury, Erasmus has made it clear that Jantjies is the favourite to wear the No 10 jersey if the Boks play at the Rugby Championship in November.

Both will have key roles to play in Saturday’s trial at Newlands, with Jantjies playing in the Green squad and Willemse in the Gold group.

“I’ve always maintained that the game isn’t about individuals,” Jantjies said.

Damian had a good game, particularly at the beginning at the Vodacom Super Fan Saturday game at Loftus.

His kicking was good. But to me, rugby really is about a team. Where can we improve in our systems? It has relevance on the Springbok Showdown too.

“I’m always learning and I tend to focus on myself and the team. It’s about what you can contribute. ”

World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will resume his leadership duties in the national team colours on Saturday for the first time since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

He has been named with Springbok teammate Lukhanyo Am as respective captains of the Green and Gold teams.

The Green team is coached by Mzwandile Stick, with SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus serving as team commissioner. Former Southern Kings coach Deon Davids is the Gold team coach and Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber the team commissioner.

Stick was forced to make three changes to his match-day squad for the clash after utility forward Oupa Mohoje tested positive for Covid-19.

Though he is asymptomatic, prop Trevor Nyakane was withdrawn from the squad as a precautionary measure after being in contact with his former Toyota Cheetahs teammate.

Junior Springbok utility back Mnombo Zwelendaba was ruled out due to a hip injury.

As a result, three young guns have been called into the Springbok Gold team — Kwenzo Blose (prop), Kade Wolhuter (flyhalf) and JJ van der Mescht (lock).

All three players have been named on the bench.

“We have a good balance in our team if you look at the mix between the youngsters and senior players,” Stick said.

Davids was equally pleased with his team’s preparations.

“The week has gone very well so far, with good enthusiasm at training, and a great eagerness to learn and to absorb what is happening,” he said.

The teams: Springbok Green:

15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 JJ van der

Mescht, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok, 24 Jeremy Ward, 25 Kade Wolhuter. Springbok Gold:

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Carlu Sadie 19, Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Vincent Tshituka, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Curwin Bosch, 24 Werner Kok, 25 Manuel Rass.

Siya Kolisi will resume his leadership duties in the national team colours. He has been named with Springbok teammate Lukhanyo Am as respective captains of the Gold and Green teams