South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber delivered some sobering news on the status of key men Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am as he named his team for the Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.
Pollard and Am were both injuried in the Wallabies’ win in Adelaide and Nienaber says he’s almost certain they will miss the rest of the year’s internationals.
“I am not 100 percent sure in terms of their [Pollard and Am] return dates, but I think they are out for the end-of-year tour,” said Nienaber. “I would say I am 80 percent sure.”
Handre Pollard. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
As they did for their last match against the Wallabies in Sydney, the Boks face Los Pumas with limited No.10 options with the situation worsening when Elton Jantjies was sent home amidst reports of an affair with a female staff member.
Damian Willemse, who impressed against the Wallabies, will wear the No.10 jersey with Francois Steyn providing cover on the bench.
“If you think about us losing Handre and if you think about what happened in the right-wing position, then sometimes injuries are a bad thing,” said Nienaber.
“However, the positive of that is you get to test your depth and you get some experience in your squad and develop your squad.”
Nienaber has named the same starting XV that beat the Wallabies convincingly, and made three changes to the bench.
Loose forward Elrigh Louw takes over from Duane Vermeulen on the bench, Faf de Klerk returns as scrumhalf cover in place of Cobus Reinach, while Andre Esterhuizen gets a run in place of Warrick Gelant.
“We were in a fortunate position this week not to have any injuries, which allowed us the luxury of selecting the same starting team that ran out in our last match,” said Nienaber. “We also feel that this team offers us what we need against a physical Argentina outfit.
“Our first victory in Australia since 2013 gave us a lot of confidence, and I have no doubt that will boost the players’ confidence going into this match, but that said we are expecting a bruising and intense battle against Argentina in front of a hostile crowd, and we have seen in the past how much confidence they draw from their fans at home.
“Our plan from the outset was to give a few players a chance to prove what they can do and to build their Test experience, especially with the Rugby World Cup a year away, and there is no better opportunity to do so than in a match which essentially amounts to a semi-final for us if we want to win the tournament.
“We have fantastic depth within our squad with youth and experience, and it requires a fine balancing act to select a squad that we think will be the best for each match, while at the same time giving most of the players an opportunity to play.”
Nienaber said he expected a tough match in Argentina.
“It’s always tough to play in Argentina,” said Nienaber. “They are a passionate rugby team, and they will never give an inch. They also draw a lot of energy from their enthusiastic home crowd, so we are expecting a huge battle.
“They place a lot of emphasis on their physicality and their set pieces, and they have skillful backs as well, so they will test us in all departments.
“That said, we have been working hard on the areas of our game that we would like to improve on and we were able to give the players a few days off to rest and freshen up mentally last week, which we believe will set us in good stead for the match.
“We know the magnitude of the challenge ahead and that it will take nothing less than our best efforts for the full 80 minutes to register a victory on Saturday.”
Springbok team to face Argentina in Buenos Aires:
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 77 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 5 pts (1t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 54 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 64 caps, 40 pts (8t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 31 caps, 110 pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 22 caps, 14 pts (1t, 3c, 1p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 8 caps, 5 pts (1t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 16 caps, 0 pts
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 57 caps, 10 pts (2t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 69 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 62 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 104 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 52 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 53 caps, 55 pts (11t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 65 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 2 caps, 0pts
17 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 13 caps, 0pts
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 58 caps, 5pts (1t)
19 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 pts
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 25 caps, 15 pts (3t)
21 – Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – 40 caps, 25 pts (5t)
22 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 9 caps, 0pts
23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) –76 caps, 150 pts (11t, 7c, 24p, 3d)
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Go the "Tugboat" - 23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) –76 caps, 150 pts (11t, 7c, 24p, 3d) Both youngest starting players in ZA team historically, how good is that, and how much can Franz mentor/tutor? Canan will move in from wing -Umunga, Stirling Mortlock?? Rub out Pansy Oz lock for 18 months, blighting Tupea's RWC debut.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Your forgot loosehead!
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
umm, 10 to 15 excl 9, and maybe 7 (a bulky but skillful one and rocket boot
SLOWFOX7
Roar Rookie
Yep. That is why both are off the dancing floor.
SLOWFOX7
Roar Rookie
It appears some of the toughest, most talented, and manliest SA players and staff are afraid of the "hostile " crowds, and the argentinian "physicality". It sounds like teen agers thinking how they´ll manage their first intimate experience with someone from the opposite sex, or the same one, for what it matters. Really? The argentinians are lucky Jantjies will not be on the field to display his brand of physicality.... That would have melted the hostile crowds. But, alas, not to be, ehhh?! It is unbelievable that a saffie can voice such pussy cat rubbish. Yet, if anyone is foolish enough to believe the SA team is a lot of rookies, and that they are not as physical, or more, as the "gauchos", well then I have to agree: they should not even show up!
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Interesting Just nuisance, some good research there. I can however assure you if you watch the rugby championship games against Australia last year, Pollard missed 5 tackles in 2 matches of which 2 ended in tries. Then, against New Zealand, after Willemse incredible chase down of Clarke, Pollard missed the tackle that allowed the try, 1 on 1. This year against Australia, same story. Tackling at club level is not the subject of my discontent with Pollard. And PS his club benched him, he wasn’t even in there starting line up by the end of this season. Most expensive bench player ever.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Still think we are rolling the dice on the lock cover- the incumbent pair need a break and its not like Mostert is getting any rest either. Would have been better to have at least some rotation off the bench to see what Nortje has to offer. Sous goes well but if not Nortje - would rather have him on the bench and Louw starting. He is after all the long term PSDT heir. Also with Trevor on the bench I would have opted to give Tank a TH reserve spot. Im also not sold on Fourie as backup hooker - sure he offers a ton of flexibility but if Marx is injured 1min is - is Fourie the guy to play hooker for the next 79min? As for the backs - plenty of injury issues to deal with so a few free passes. The only question is what is the plan with AE? are we looking to get a Harlequins like combo on the pitch with him and Willemse? Could work but feel like it limits our options a bit unless the plan is to push DDA to 13 later - which didnt exactly work well at Ellis Park.... otherwise you have two specialist 12s in the team plus Frans (12, 15, 10)
Harry Jones
Expert
Had the distance to go from 50!
Rusty
Roar Guru
No curling kicks - just howitzered through the middle!
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Dan du Preez is one that I am a big fan of Harry, and Augustus has come up quickly and has a hell of a future ahead of him.
Harry Jones
Expert
Dan du Preez/J Augustus also lighting England up
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Nobody is protected species in SA . You only bank credits . Theirs are running out .
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Do you think that heads will roll at the top, or are they a protected species? NZRU has caused problems which has separated supporters and their views.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
SA Rugby have soo much more to offer the World than what This bunch has last 3 years . Only really noticeable highlights are Rassie dissing a ref , Rassie dancing in his jocks inebriated . Elton doing the chef , oh and yes sorry also abusing a female air steward on a flight , smashing the aircraft furniture when confronted and getting arrested , then mysteriously charges dropped because, well , “Do you know who I am ? “ any other highlights you can think of ? Sure the intermittant win . Gotcha ! Rassie and his sidekick had all the chances and goodwill on earth from us but urinated in it . Goodbye .
Harry Jones
Expert
Loved his sideline conversion after EEvAAAAA aka the Battle of the Vowels. Had to stand around for 5 minutes. Then stepped up w 5 sec look + flushed it over black dot
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Get on tot and stay on top, I like that phrase :silly:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Etsebeth being overplayed! Where are the selected replacements, Orries , Nortje , sitting at home .. Can’t Nienaber start a match without Eben ? Wait I’ll answer that .. no !
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you for the insight JN, it is weird how SA, NZ and OZ are all having problems at the same time.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Thing is thanks to Eltons behavior ( he may not know it but will never ever pull on a Bok Jersey again and his lover will never ever tell the players what to eat again either ) so good riddance . The team have corporate sponsors who promote values and will not tolerate this kind of stuff to be associated with their brand . . With Pollards injury we have no option but to go with Willemse . But he is a player who loves to have a go . Now what limitations are the Bok coaching staff going to impose on him ? For starters think he is going to be instructed to offload to Esterhuizen every time for the crash ball . When we could be running with Evan Roos or Buthelezi linking up and offloading creating chances . Our coaching staff are dinosaurs and frankly fossilized in their thinking . Terrified of risking their sacrosanct game plan yet making dumb decisions constantly in selections all in the name of building depth , but wtf has building depth to do with the far more important confidence index . I have lost total and utter confidence in the Nienaber regime and truly hope the Argies , always second favourite team for me nail us . Force a rethink because a win for the Boks will vindicate the rubbish we have to live with .
Tim J
Roar Rookie
G’day JN… I think some outside of SA forget about players like you mentioned, I am a big of them although admittedly I do not know too much about Buthelezi. Louw and Duane are still as good as any going around, I would like them to get game time against the Pumas, if selected.