STICKING TO HIS GUNS
ERASMUS: COACH HAPPY WITH THE MEN WHO DID DUTY AGAINST SCOTS
Fit-again Etzebeth takes his place on the bench in Cardiff.
Naming an unchanged starting line-up for the first time in his tenure, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has stressed that his side will be ‘desperate’ to finish their tour and their season on a high against Wales in Cardiff tomorrow.
Announcing just a single change on his bench yesterday, with lock Eben Etzebeth replacing Lood de Jager after recovering from a foot injury, Erasmus said that while experimenting earlier in the year, it was important to find continuity against a strong and settled Welsh side.
“We will be desperate to win, and to end the tour on a high would be fantastic for the experience and growth of this squad,” Erasmus said.
With Embrose Papier getting a second straight start, a total of eight players remained unused during the four Tests on tour.
After losing the first match to England by a single point, Erasmus insisted they needed to build on their momentum.
“Wales are third in the world rankings and two ahead of us, and they have a formidable squad,” Erasmus said.
“Their current run of eight unbeaten Tests is proof and also an indication of their good form.”
Only flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and prop Steven Kitshoff had featured in all of the national team’s 13 Tests of the year so far, but Erasmus believed their recent continuity would give them a chance, though he admitted they faced formidable hosts.
“As I’ve said before, this Test is going to be our most difficult match of the tour,” he said.
“Wales beat us (22-20) in Washington in June and have now won the last three games against us.”
While the Boks had won 13 of the 18 Tests they had played at tomorrow’s venue, the Principality Stadium, the four games they had lost had all been played since 2014, with the Boks’ last success at the venue dating back to as long ago as 2013.
“They are a well-balanced and strong side with a great home record so our boys will be in for a massive contest on Saturday,” Erasmus said.
Meanwhile, Luke Pearce of England was announced as the match referee, and he will officiate his 19th Test and his first involving the Boks.
The assistant referees are Wayne Barnes and Karl Dixon from England, while Irishman Simon McDowell is the TMO.