Boks go for French jugular
COETZEE WANTS THE BOKS TO GO FOR THE FRENCH JUGULAR
Prop Ruan Dreyer handed his debut in Ellis Park Test.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee believes the selection of prop Ruan Dreyer provides him with another opportunity to increase his team’s depth.
Dreyer’s inclusion ahead of Frans Malherbe as well as the inclusions of scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, flank Jean-Luc du Preez and the return of centre Jesse Kriel, were the four changes made for the third and final French Test at Ellis Park tomorrow.
It will be Dreyer’s Test debut, while Du Preez earns his first start in his fourth Test.
With Dreyer’s inclusion and flank Jaco Kriel being named on the bench, there will again be eight Lions in the match 23, with seven in the starting line-up.
“If one looks at the other two props, Frans and Coenie Oosthuizen have played really well and the three of them have trained very well,” said Coetzee.
“It also gives Ruan an opportunity to scrum down next to hooker Malcolm Marx with whom he has formed a good combination at the Lions.”
Hougaard returns to the starting line-up for his 42nd Test after Ross Cronje pulled out with concussion. Du Preez replaces Oupa Mohoje, who was also concussed, while Jesse Kriel returns in place of Lionel Mapoe after recovering from concussion.
“Hougies has played really well for the Worcester Warriors overseas but I didn’t want to play him on the wing as I believe we already have quality wings,” Coetzee said.
“He is a player who asks questions around the fringes and also comes with a lot of experience.”
The Bok coach was also thrilled at the return of flank Jaco Kriel on the bench.
“It’s always difficult to leave players out, but rugby is not a game of 15 or 23 but of 31,” he said.
“And when opportunity knocks they have to be ready to step up.”
While centre Kriel is back, Coetzee said his combination with inside centre Jan Serfontein has been a big success story.
“Jesse has not played a lot at 13 but more at 15 for the Bulls. But he forms a great partnership with Jan both on and off the field, even though Lionel can consider himself a bit unlucky,” he said.
Coetzee said they have to be ruthless. “I think the guys understand the plan well, but we’ll have to apply the pressure and control the gain line.”
Meanwhile, France have dropped SA-born fullback Scott Spedding.