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Less than a week ago Eddie Jones called on the Springboks to name their best side to take on his Wallabies side.
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber hasn’t, but will it matter?
As anticipated, Nienaber has divided his squad into two with 13 players to head to New Zealand early to prepare for their clash against the All Blacks early to help manage the quick turnaround and logistical challenges.
It’s a bold move but one that we’ve come to expect from the Springboks in recent years under Nienaber and director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.
It means World Cup winners Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Faf de Klerk, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe will miss the Test. Jasper Wiese will also miss the Test for the birth of his child.
“Our plan from the outset was to select a squad that we believe has what it takes to beat Australia while at the same time selecting a group of players that could travel to New Zealand to give us the best possible chance to do well in both matches,” Nienaber said.
“Our last Rugby Championship match is in Johannesburg and then we’ll be able to select a squad from our full complement of players.
“This squad features several Rugby World Cup winners and a crop of younger players who have done the job for us at the highest level, and judging by their enthusiasm and high work ethic at training, we know they are the right players for this big task.”
Eben Etzebeth is one of more than a dozen Springboks regulars who will miss their clash with the Wallabies. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Nienaber has nonetheless named a Springboks side with plenty of world-class players including interim captain Duane Vermeulen, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lukhanyo Am and Willie le Roux.
“We had a few options as potential captains and we have two good leaders in Duane and Lukhanyo, who has been named vice-captain for this match,” Nienaber said.
“They are both quality leaders and they’ll have a lot of experience around them on the field, which is fantastic for us as coaches.”
After leading the Stormers to the United Rugby Championship final, Manie Libbok, the 25-year-old who has long threatened to make a name for himself on the world stage, has the chance to push his World Cup claims.
The fly-half will wear the No.10 jersey for the first time, having come off the bench on three occasions.
Manie Libbok will start for the first time for the Springboks. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
He will partner Cobus Reinach in the halves, with Harlequins midfielder Andre Esterhuizen given a rare chance to start at inside centre with Damian de Allende another who will already be on route to the Shaky Isles by the time the first whistle goes at Loftus Versfeld.
While the second-row is new with former Irish lock Jean Kleyn to start alongside Marvin Orie, it’s an experienced front-row with Malherbe to pack down alongside Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche.
Nienaber also has some physicality, class and experience to bring off the bench with prop Vincent Koch, lock RG Snyman and talented back Damian Willemse selected.
The Wallabies flew to Johannesburg last Friday and Jones said he was hoping the Springboks rolled out their best side.
“I don’t know, but what I’m hoping for is their best team,” Jones told reporters at Sydney International Airport on Friday morning after being asked what side he expected their opponents to roll out.
Asked why, Jones said he didn’t want to take down a half-baked Springboks side.
“Because I want to play against the best,” he said.
“If we want to beat South Africa in Pretoria, we want to play against the best.”
Jacques Nienaber says the Springboks respect the Wallabies despite dividing his side into two. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Nienaber insisted they weren’t underestimating the Wallabies, with the Springboks unbeaten in seven matches against their Australian rivals at the venue.
“They are a top-class team and have a great tactician in head coach Eddie Jones,” he said.
“This will be the first time we see them play under his leadership in a while, so our focus is mainly on our game and what we would like to do in the match.
“This game is very important to set the tone for us this season, and we know that regardless of what style of play Australia dishes up it’s going to a physical and hard match.”
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 83 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 5 pts (1t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 31 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 11 caps, 0 pts
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 35 pts (7t)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 10 pts (5c)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 24 caps, 45 pts (9t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (captain, Ulster) – 65 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 66 caps, 25 pts (5t)
6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 pts
5 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 11 caps, 0 pts
4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – uncapped for SA (Ireland 5 caps)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 58 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 56 caps, 60 pts (12t)
1 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 pts
17 – Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks) – 15 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 41 caps, 0 pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 23 caps, 5 pts (1t)
20 – Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0 pts
21 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 0 pts
22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 1 cap, 0 pts
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 27 caps, 36 pts
Steven Kitshoff (prop), Malcolm Marx (hooker), Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager (both locks), Franco Mostert and Jean-Luc du Preez (both utility forwards), Kwagga Smith (loose forward), Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi (both wings), Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel (both centres), and Siya Kolisi.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.