It felt like a lifetime waiting for the Springbok side to be announced for this Saturday’s Test against Australia in Perth.
Once Ewen McKenzie had announced a revamped backline for the clash, we could have made a dozen predictions to what Heyneke Meyer was going to do.
Will Jean De Villiers be moved to outside centre to make way for Jan Serfontein to counter the perceived, failed De Allende experiment?
Should Pollard/Pienaar be retained as halfbacks or should the trustworthy Steyn and energetic Hougaard take their place? Will the pack be re-shuffled?
I believe the six changes made to the Springbok side reveals just how much the Springboks underestimated the Argentinians in Salta.
The question is, do they have to first lose to the Argentinians before they can start taking them more seriously?
Only Heyneke Meyer can answer that question when they next face them. For now, I am pleased the Springboks made it out unscathed.
Let’s look at the changes more closely:
De Allende replaced by Serfontein. I’m uncertain whether Serfontein was always going to be selected for this match while De Allende was just filling a void or whether he was selected to replace De Allende who has been out of his depth at 13?
It seems as if de Villiers will not be moved to accommodate either player in their more comfortable positions so I assume this is Serfontein’s chance to prove he can adapt.
Pollard replaced by Steyn. I’m adamant Pollard started the first two Tests as an experiment and was never going to be considered for this Test.
The dependable Morne Steyn returns and I believe he is the right choice for Saturday’s Test. His tactical kicking and calm temperament will be invaluable at a predicted wet Patersons Stadium.
Ruan Pienaar retained. Same as above, there are plenty of detractors out there calling for his head based based on his slow distribution and conservative style but he is the only scrumhalf available with the necessary tactical kicking prowess to create problems for the Wallabies.
Smith replaced by Coetzee. A genuinely earned start for Coetzee. He seems to value his place in the Bok’s squad and I predict he will continue to impress again this weekend.
De Jager replaced by Matfield: A similar situation to Pollard. Only a next to perfect performance against Argentina would have kept Matfield out.
Bismarck replaced by Strauss: Horses for courses. Both are very effective and Bismarck needs some rest before they face the All Blacks at Westpac Stadium on 13 September. He may get to stretch his legs at some point this weekend though.
Steenkamp replaced by Mtawarira: Again, a similar situation to Pollard and De Jager. The Beast was being rested for this weekend and based on his performance in Salta, Steenkamp’s Bok days must certainly be numbered.
So there you have it. I finally managed to comment on the Springbok selections I patiently waited all day for.
Perhaps Heyneke Meyer will announce his selections before Steve Hansen next week and I’ll get a full day’s worth of comments behind me before the Kiwis get their chance. Here’s to wishful thinking.
Springbok’s matchday squad to compete against the Wallabies
1. Tendai Mtwarira
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Victor Matfield
6. Francois Louw
7. Marcell Coetzee
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Ruan Pienaar Ulster
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jan Serfontein
14. Cornal Hendricks
15. Willie le RouxReserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Lood de Jager, Warren Whiteley, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Damian de Allende.
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