Clean sweep won’t be easy

– As the darker clouds started to gather yesterday over the Mother City, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus (above) will be going into today’s third and final England Test at Newlands with a few reservations.

Erasmus no doubt slept much better after the Boks clinched the series, but he cautioned that counterpart Eddie Jones would much rather go home with a 2-1 series defeat than a 3-0 whitewash.

Apart from changing four players in the Bok backline, the wet weather could suit England better whose kicking game could centre around astute returning flyhalf Danny Cipriani.

“We weren’t great at the start in the first two Tests and he will test that and with (Owen) Farrell on his inside it will be a real test to our backs,” said Erasmus. “Even with his kicking game, he is very accurate with that, it could be tougher for us with him being there.”

It’s possibly a gamble to go in with fullback Warrick Gelant and Elton Jantjies at flyhalf who are both great dry weather players but could be tested in the wet conditions.

“With Warrick it’s a great opportunity and we all know what he can do when it’s dry and if it’s wet and he doesn’t handle it well we’ll go back and work with him,” said Erasmus.

“Elton is playing behind a very good pack and a very good No 9, while we can always take Warrick off during the game and replace him with Willie (le Roux).

Erasmus also said this is an opportunity for both hookers, Chiliboy Ralepelle and veteran Schalk Brits to show they should remain in the Bok planning going forward. Of the four hookers Brits is probably the fittest, the coach added.

“If Schalk retires after this game, it’s okay but if he doesn’t it’s wonderful for him to get a run at Newlands,” he said. Kick-off: 5.05pm Also see Page 43