BIG BOKS BACK
BOOST: ETZEBETH, WHITELEY IN SIDE TO FACE PUMAS
Franco Mostert has been given a rest for opening clash.
The return of lock Eben Etzebeth and No 8 Warren Whiteley will ensure that the Springboks are starting to build an impressive leadership core, believes national coach Rassie Erasmus.
Erasmus made several changes to the team yesterday for the Rugby Championship clash tomorrow against Argentina with the most significant being the absence of Franco Mostert who has been given a break after playing too much rugby lately.
The two new caps on the bench, flank Marco van Staden and fullback Damian Willemse, are also set to make their debuts as replacements.
Erasmus believes that with flank Francois Louw, former captain Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi the team will have a strong leadership presence.
“Warren is now back to full fitness and one of the guys who captained SA before, so it’s nice to have a leadership group of him, Siya, Eben, Pieter-Steph. Francois is captain of Bath, so we are build ing some experience,” he said.
With Etzebeth likely to play just 60 minutes after being out for eight months, Marvin Orie on the bench will act as a straight replacement in the second half.
“Eben is fit again and the first choice at No 4, Pieter-Steph played on the blindside in the last Test but we have to give Franco a rest as he is totally overplayed and if we don’t do it in this game then we never will,” he said.
Erasmus said with tighthead Frans Malherbe, now fit again and recovered from his neck and shoulder injuries, his recall was obvious.
“He has been training for six, seven weeks and also played three games at the end of Super Rugby and was the No 1 tighthead before he got injured,” he said.
Erasmus also believes the recall of Louw, centre Andre Esterhuizen for the injured Damian de Allende and wing Makazole Mapimpi for the injured Sbu Nkosi were just rewards.
“Flo wasn’t available previously because of injury, while Siya moves back to blindside where he has always played prior to the last three, four years.
“Andre has been knocking on the door and had a real good game against Wales and Makazole was competing hard with Lwazi Mvovo for that spot, but we think he is ready for Championship rugby,” he said.
Flank Cyle Brink, who has a knee injury, has been released from the squad.
He is thrilled that his mate Siya Kolisi will lead the Boks out.
“The national anthem is probably the best song to sing for me come kick-off time and the pitch where you test yourself against the world’s best.”
These are the biggest moments fiery Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth missed the most, admitting being emotional and stuck in a lonely world of rehab, before making his return against Argentina in the Rugby Championship tomorrow after an eight-month absence.
And he’s even more thrilled to see his good mate, flank Siya Kolisi, having taken over the Bok leadership.
“I’ve known him since those Under-18 days and we are roommates on tour and it’s great to wake up in the next bed to the captain,” said Etzebeth.
“Those who know me will be aware that I have an excellent relationship with Siya – I just love the man – and when he was announced I phoned him and he was busy on the training field but he phoned me back later in the day.
“He told me how he was feeling and how excited he was, and it’s just amazing to see him grow as a leader and a man, especially over the last couple of weeks.”
Etzebeth said it’s also great to see some of the other more experienced guys back like Warren Whiteley, Frans Malherbe, Wille le Roux, Handre Pollard and helping the younger guys.
“We have to take a look at last year but this is a new competition and we had a good series in June,” he said.
“And we know there’s some key elements to improve on but we all know going through the Championship is a different animal.”
Etzebeth said it’s probably unfair and premature to compare coach Rassie Erasmus with his precessor Allister Coetzee, but said the vibe is great.
“I haven’t had a lot of time to work with Rassie except for the last few weeks but I must say the guys are happy in the camp, but they also were last year.”