Boks vs Wallabies
KOLISI DETERMINED TO BOUNCE BACK FROM DEFEAT IN MENDOZA
1995 hero Stransky urges them on to ‘do something special’.
With time running out for the Springboks to stay in the running for the Rugby Championship they could redeem themselves with a positive result today in Brisbane against the Wallabies, according to captain Siya Kolisi.
The Boks will however have their backs to the wall, having won just once at the Suncorp Stadium (38-12 in 2013) and losing eight in nine Tests and also the venue of their third highest defeat ever when they received a 49-0 rugby lesson in 2006.
The Boks are also coming off a 32-19 defeat to Argentina in Mendoza last time out, while coach Rassie Erasmus has continued his trend by making regular and wholesome changes to his starting lineup.
“We are excited to play again this weekend and we want to give our best again and really want to win away from home,” Kolisi said yesterday.
Kolisi said there is a hunger and desire to bounce back from the Mendoza loss to prove they as a team are capable of performing much better than in Argentina where they were already down 27-7 at half-time.
“And if we can manage that we can get back into contention for the competition,” said Kolisi.
There is a big question mark over whether Erasmus got his selections spot-on, with centre Damian de Allende just having one game since his return from injury while centre partner Jesse Kriel had to brush up on his game in the Currie Cup.
At flyhalf, the returning Elton Jantjies gets another chance to show he can give direction at this level. After 26 Test matches he is not short on international experience but has yet to show the same dominance at this level than what he achieved for the Lions in Super Rugby.
Prop Steven Kitshoff and hook- er Bongi Mbonambi, who got the nod ahead of the dynamic Malcolm Marx, will also be keen to show they deserved a start, but in the backrow there’s the obvious missing ingredient of a genuine ball poacher.
Hero of the 1995 World Cup triumph, flyhalf Joel Stransky, urged the Boks yesterday to “do something special” as he handed out the Bok jerseys.
The former Bok general said it is always special to be invited into the Springbok fold.
“This is a very special environment and as a former player, it is even more special to join the boys. It’s a special culture and I am really honoured to be here,” he said.
“I told them to embrace the moment and to go out and do something special when they play the Wallabies.” Kick-off: 12pm. Also see Pages 42 & 43
We are excited to play again and we want to give our best again and to win away from home.
Siya Kolisi Springbok captain