Du Toit: We owe the country one
BRISBANE TUSSLE: WE’LL HAVE TO UP OUR GAME THERE
The ball is in their court to justify the confidence coach Rassie Erasmus has put in them despite the team’s away record making dismal reading, said Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Du Toit is one of six players being handed a start in today’s Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Brisbane as Erasmus is still mixing and matching combinations to find his ideal line-up.
“It’s going to be a real challenge, especially for the guys getting a start,” said Du Toit, who said they have addressed their lukewarm starts in recent matches.
“That’s part of our game to start well and we want to ensure we do that with the required intensity,” he said ahead of his 39th Test match.
According to Erasmus, Du Toit has “broken down the door” in terms of earning a starting position and because locks Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert have been playing so well, the natural choice was to name Du Toit at blindside flank.
“It’s always nice to be in the starting line-up and start the Test from the very beginning,” he said.
“But it will be a challenging game for the Wallabies too. They have come off two losses and they will be keen to show they are not a losing team as well.”
Although the Wallabies suffered a setback with the withdrawal of flank David Pocock due to a neck injury, his replacement Pete Samu is more than an adequate replacement.
“They have some of the best loose forwards in the world and you know that playing against them, they will target the breakdown,” said Du Toit.
“So we will have to up our game over there and protect our own ball.”
Du Toit said the team are aware of the fact that they owe their country a big one.
“It was tough this week after the disappointment of Mendoza and we adjusted the schedule, trained late because it’s a late kick-off, so I think we are well-prepared,” said Du Toit.
“With the few new guys starting it will increase the tempo hopefully.”