Boks primed for battle
KRIEL: WALLABIES JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ALL BLACKS Boks will not be taking Australia for granted in Championship opener.
The Springboks don’t regard next week’s Test against the All Blacks as more important than this weekend’s key Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Ellis Park, Bok centre Jesse Kriel insists.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus was set to announce his team for the Wallabies match today, along with a group of 15 to 18 players who would be wrapped in cotton wool and leave for Auckland later this week.
“It’s obviously different circumstances but we will go out and
be as motivated as we will be next weekend when we go and play the All Blacks,” Kriel said yesterday.
“There’s not one Test match that you get yourself up for more than another one. It’s an opportunity to represent your country, and as players we want to go out there and give our best – and we are as motivated as we can be.”
Kriel, who had played 39 Tests, believed the Wallabies would provide a different threat, as they prepared to face the likes of returning fullback James O’Connor and big centre Tevita Kuridrani.
“James is a good player, and he has shown what he can do for Australia over the years, and as a backline they have quite a few exciting players.
“We have seen how good Tevita Kuridrani has been for the Brumbies and the Wallabies over the years. He’s a strong runner and one of the top 13s in the world.”
Should flyhalf Elton Jantjies and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies start for the Boks this week, backline coach Mzwandile Stick felt they would deliver.
“We know on a good day that Elton can really destroy teams with ball in hand, but between the two of them they will find a balance in their strengths,” Stick said.
“If they are selected and get an opportunity, they should provide us with a solid game.
“If we play Elton or Frans [Steyn], both players have the ability to deliver on the day.”
On the training field the Boks had a squad consisting of two full teams and Stick said this had helped them gear up for the international campaign.
“We have a great plan in place as the coaching staff have done really well to manage both of the squads,” he said. “If we look at combinations it’s something new for them, but with their style they will complement one another.”