South Africa have made two changes to the starting team beaten by Australia for Saturday’s historic 100th clash with the All Blacks in Townsville as coach Jacques Nienaber suggested the team had lost its “soul” against the Wallabies.
Nienaber, who lashed the team for their performance in Brisbane saying it wasn’t worthy of the Springboks jersey, recalled the experienced trio of Lood de Jager, Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn for the game as he also made three bench changes, where he has opted for a 5-3 split.
De Jager returns after missing Saturday’s loss with concussion and reunites with Eben Etzebeth in the second row, with Marvin Orie dropping out of the squad.
Kwagga Smith comes into the No.7 with Franco Mostert dropping to the bench in a bid to manage workload.
Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn are the new players amongst the replacements, with Steyn set to provide cover at centre and fullback, and Elton Jantjies at flyhalf, while Herschel Jantjies will cover scrumhalf.
Jasper Wiese misses out because of a delay over his disciplinary hearing for foul play in the dying moments of the Suncorp match.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Cheslin Kolbe is sidelined again because of the leg injury suffered before the first match against Australia but Nienaber said he could be available for selection for the second match against NZ.
Nienaber said the team had engaged in an honest and brutal review after the two Australia defeats, but he felt there were promising signs within the wreckage.
“I think there were some things that were good. I thought our lineout mauling was good. I thought our scrums were good on the weekend, I thought we were good on the high ball,” said Nienaber.
Defensively though “I think there was one or two errors that we made.” He would work to “fix and rectify that going into this weekend’s game, and then probably just revisiting what our soul is, what we do as South Africans, what we enjoy doing, and probably going back to that.”
Pushed on that statement, Nienaber added: “If you look at what Australia did, they probably beat us at our own game. I don’t think they even made 70 passes in the whole game.
“They came with a completely different plan and changed completely what they did in the previous games against France and the All Blacks.
“I do think we probably got caught up a little bit in that. We had a good look at that, in terms of what our soul is, and I do think we played probably double the amount of rugby that Australia did – not to say that you don’t need to play rugby, but you must play rugby when it’s on, when the opportunity is there. And we probably pushed it a little bit when the opportunity wasn’t on.
“Australia c100% made a U turn in terms of what they did in the past versus what they did against us on the weekend. They beat us with our own game.”
Nienaber has come in for some heavy criticism in the wake of the defeats and said he welcomed it for the good of the game in South Africa and felt the internal pressure was worse than the external dissatisfaction.
“I think the pressure from myself and us as a a team is probably more,” Nienaber said.
“You look at yourself first and foremost, look at what happened and how we played and you think where did you go wrong and what you could have done better.
“That’s how we are as a team coaches and players are open and honest with each other and that’s what I love about this team.
“Tthe worst criticism is when it comes from us as peers and we take it. It’s tough to swallow but as for the criticism from outside, I think when people stop criticising that’s when you should worry.
“People criticise because they feel something for the team. When people stop that means they just don’t feel anything for the Boks any more.”
His team faces a massive challenge against the unbeaten All Blacks, who comfortably swept Australia before swatting side Argentina.
“It’s always a massive task to face the All Blacks,” said Nienaber.
“They have skillful players who thrive on turnover ball and who know how to capitalise on point-scoring opportunities, so we know that we need to a deliver a quality 80-minute performance against them to turn the corner after two disappointing defeats.
“Experience will be vital to ensure that we remain focused and calm throughout the match, and players such as Elton and Frans will bring that when they take the field. They have both played and won against the All Blacks, but they will also bring a set of different skills.
“Lood also boasts 51 Test caps, which will be valuable in this match, while has Kwagga has faced them before as well, which gives us a chance to give Franco a well-deserved opportunity to be managed carefully this week after a physically taxing load since the season started.
“Both Elton and Frans have been training very well, they’ve also been in our structures for years and have performed well for the team in high-pressure matches, so we are keen to see what dynamic they will bring to the game.”
Nienaber says he expects an epic encounter against the All Blacks.
“We are fully aware of the challenge that awaits us, and we know what we have to do to stay on the right side of the scoreboard this weekend – strong defence, accurate execution and capitalising on our point-scoring chances will be key,” said Nienaber.
“We also have to ensure we make minimal mistakes because the All Blacks have proved time and again how they punish teams from small errors, so we need to deliver an effective performance all around.”
Springbok team
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 68 caps, 60 pts (12t)
14 – Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks) – 14 caps, 40 pts (8t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 21 caps, 25 pts (5t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 53 caps, 30 pts (6t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 20 caps, 80 pts (16t)
10 – Handré Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier) – 55 caps, 544 pts (6t, 83c, 112p, 4d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks) – 34 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls) – 56 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 14 caps, 5 pts (1t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 58 caps, 30 pts (6t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 51 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 92 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 45 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) – 43 caps, 45 pts (9t)
1 – Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls) – 49 caps, 5pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 41 caps, 45 pts (9t)
17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 54 caps, 5pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 26 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 46 caps, 5pts (1t)
20 – Marco van Staden (Leicester Tigers) – 8 caps, 0 pts
21 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 16 caps, 25 pts (5t)
22 – Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 40 caps, 300 pts (2t, 64c, 54p)
23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 69 caps, 141pts (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Hi. It’s halftime in the match and the South Africans have been ahead most of the half and have gone into the sheds with the score at 13 -11 so just 2 points behind. Are you prepared to acknowledge I may have a point, and in truth I may be located in the real world? Or can you really say in all honesty that you are not surprised. My comment was that some folk might be surprised.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
I do see West's point on why the team announcement is so late, but you make a good point about changing the named team at the last minute, and the increased interest during the week discussing selections. As far as I know, there is no rule saying you must play the team named, barring injury. Most selections are fairly predictable anyway to set a game plan, and I feel it would mess with the opposition more on selections if you name a team for the opposition to plan for, then change it on the day, if that is the game you want to play.
WEST
Roar Guru
That was a terrible final! We made up for that in 2015
Dean
Roar Rookie
I think Kwagga is a good player at test level. However, when I watch him play I feel sorry for Heinrich Brussow, who was a far more capable than Kwagga, yet didn’t fit the mould of a traditional SA open side and didn’t get as many tests as he should have. I hope Kwagga has a cracking game on the weekend, I admire his tenacity.
biltong
Guest
The tour is already a failure. Even if we manage to win both matches it could only be called on par.
Lara
Guest
Nienaber has gone for speed in the open with Smith , but the same backline. Smith will provide a presence at the breakdown, but also another body at the high ball zone. The Wallabies lost a lot of possession under the bomb , but the ABs seem more capable in the air , so that driving tackle when they land, may be the thinking. It looks like the same tactics again for this weekend…..they will need rain n wind for this one.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Freedom just around the corner for you, CW ! Dream twister, a fire starter in the midsts….shapeshifting breathed in from before. Paradigms of yesteryear imbue the silked pathway. Death tasted like an old red wine. Still sweet from its transition from the waters in worlds of alchemy where deities danced in the moon and left their ethereal print. Oh oh oh Jokerman ! ! ! Ha I made that verse up on the spot! The lyrics from the song are breathtaking. Thanks CW!
biltong
Guest
We're on a need to know basis :laughing:
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
Surely there's a better version involving alcohol, drugs and scantily clad fans!
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I had to laugh at Pollard suggesting Australia was doing something illegal but didn't say what when he should have been doing tackling practice.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
It's simple really, you have to to put white hot pressure on the AB's 10/12, drive them backwards. They don't like it, they will fold but it's hard to do.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
Bird fly high by the light of the moon Oh, Jokerman You're a man of the mountains You can walk on the clouds Manipulator of crowds You're a dream twister You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
biltong
Guest
Nienaber strikes me as someone who bought a car with cruisecontro and has never heard about adaptive cruise control. He doesn't understand what needs to happen when someone puts the breaks on ahead of him. His system goes offline and then he needs to run the ship manually, nly he never prepaed for manual override.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep...The talk coming out of the ABs camp is sounding good. I dont think they will be shocked at whats coming from the Boks.
Big A
Roar Rookie
Still shaking my head with that one - “would you be OK losing two matches against the Wallabies if it meant winning the 100th Test against the All Blacks” - no great team would think that way
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse the Boks then lose their soul?! “We had a good look at that, in terms of what our soul is.” ….Sounds a bit like Link having oranges at halftime on the field and Cheika doing torture lessons..! Generally it doesn’t end well. But want to find your meaning and spark again…how about the All Blacks for inspiration?! The best team on the planet. Sometimes their light can bring the best up in others… :angry: :shocked:
numpty
Roar Rookie
Paisami picked Havili's and moungaa's pocket a couple of times in those early bledisloe's. I assume thats probably what WL is referring too.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Jacko This smells like the same lead-up to 2011 RWC GF against France....its gonna be a whitewash, France got no chance, ABs to run away with it, 40-50point smashing coming for the Froggies... Well, we all know what happened there - I think even a few ABs, were reading the headlines before kick-off. Here's hoping the ABs top 2", don't clock off before kick-off cos I dare say, some of them looked like they did exactly that, in 2011.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Its a red-herring Jacko......let W-L carry on with his take cos one hit does not, a steam-roller make. The ABs will change tactics if Havili is targeted and leave the Bokke, chasing fresh air thereafter. And really, that's their problem though - changing tactics mid-game, is not part of their DNA. It is "our way or the hi-way..."
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
I've been really interested in the florid language from Nienaber after last weekend. Talk about throw the players under the bus! Yes the players made physical mistakes and played below their best as a team however not taking some responsibility as a coaching group for the tactics and preparation was a bit poor I thought. Also in this presser: “I think there were some things that were good. I thought our lineout mauling was good.” Really? 3 tries from mauls in the first game, a duck egg in the second. I don't really know this bloke but given what I have heard come out of his mouth I'm not impressed. I think both games this weekend will very interesting!