Mapoe replaces injured Kriel for second test
SPRINGBOK centre Lionel Mapoe has recovered from a hamstring injury and appears a safe bet to start at No 13 in the second test against France at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
The No 13 position has been left open by the unavailability of Jesse Kriel, who has been ruled out of action with concussion after he took a nasty blow to the head in the first test at Loftus.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee said yesterday he would keep Jan Serfontein at No 12 and Frans Steyn would remain on the bench to make way for Mapoe.
“I will definitely settle for a specialist outside centre,” he said.
“Jan has played an important role for us at 12 and I wouldn’t want to move him because then you are making two changes.
“I would rather stick with Jan at 12 and change with Lionel or whoever at 13.
“I want to take the focus away from Jesse and say how good Jan was in the first test.
“He was outstanding and I was looking at him and Jesse as a combination, because they played very well together.
“It is unfortunate he is out for this week but he will be back for the third test in Johannesburg.”
Asked about the importance of having Mapoe, who missed the first test in Pretoria, available for selection again, Coetzee said it was a well-timed boost.
“It is a big and well-timed boost and I am really happy that we have him back,” he said.
“He has trained with us in a controlled environment since our camp in Plettenberg Bay and he has been part of the team over the past two weeks.”
Besides the disruption caused by the injury to Kriel, Coetzee is likely to keep most of the combinations as he strives for continuity and an improved performance against a French side that will be boosted by the return of key players.
“Continuity is key to make sure that combinations are there,” he said.
“If we have to make changes, it won’t be just for the sake of making changes, because we need to build momentum.
“I am not sure what the French are thinking but what we are expecting is a massive second test.
“We weren’t perfect in the first test and there is a lot of work that we must put in this week.
“They will be better and with some of those players from Clemont and Toulon available, that will probably strengthen their side.
“Defensively, they asked us a lot of questions, especially in the wide channel, but we can fix some of those things this week.
“I am very pleased with the effort of our players, they played with intensity and a good attitude.
“You can’t coach that.”