Intensity name of the game for Boks
The Springbok starting team assembled to play Canada on Tuesday are on notice – play poorly and you will struggle to get a game in the knockouts at the Rugby World Cup.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus again made sweeping changes to his side for their must-win
final pool B match against Canada in Kobe on Tuesday.
But he wants his charges to replicate if not improve the intensity they displayed in the win over Italy on Friday.
Damian Willemse‚ who flew in last week to replace Jesse Kriel, gets a start‚ while Warrick Gelant‚ who started at the back against Namibia‚ will be on the right wing.
“Damian probably would have made the RWC squad if he wasn’t injured.
“He is match- fit and has played for Saracens.
“He is much more comfortable with our systems.
“Warrick has played wing before so we have the luxury of resting Makazole Mapimpi,” Erasmus said.
“His workload has been 80 minutes in and out.
“He has been playing really well – he has cemented his place in the team now.
“He scores every game for us. That is what we expect of our wingers.”
Lukhanyo Am‚ who has had a heavy workload at this RWC, gets a breather‚ which means Damian de Allende shifts up one position.
“With Jesse [Kriel] out we have to cover that position.
“Warrick played 13 early in
his career and we might look at that later in the game‚” Erasmus said.
At scrumhalf, Cobus Reinach gets his first start at the RWC and he will have Elton Jantjies for company.
In the pack, Francois Louw is back in the No 8 jersey‚ with Kwagga Smith starting at No 7.
Regular captain Siya Kolisi completed 80 minutes last week and gets another go from the start.
“It was wonderful‚” Erasmus said about the 80 minutes Kolisi played last week.
“His form is back to where it was. To take him off now will start the process all over again.”
At hooker, Schalk Brits also gets another go with Malcolm Marx‚ if needed, ready to come off the bench.
Erasmus is clear‚ he wants this team to emulate‚ if not better, the output the Boks produced against Italy. –
Bok team to play Canada Damian Willemse; Warrick Gelant‚ Damian de Allende‚ Frans Steyn‚ S’bu Nkosi; Elton Jantjies‚ Cobus Reinach; Francois Louw‚ Kwagga Smith‚ Siya Kolisi (captain); Franco Mostert‚ RG Snyman; Vincent Koch‚ Schalk Brits‚ Thomas du Toit. Substitutes: Malcolm Marx‚ Steven Kitshoff‚ Frans Malherbe‚ Eben Etzebeth‚ Pieter-Steph du Toit; Herschel Jantjies‚ Handre Pollard‚ Willie le Roux.