Springboks shuffle pack for New Zealand clash

Oct 5 • General News, Springboks • 3192 Views • Comments Off on Springboks shuffle pack for New Zealand clash

Lood de Jager has earned a well-deserved start, while Pieter-Steph du Toit moves from lock to blindside flank to give the Springboks more lineout options – both on attack and defence – on Saturday against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

In another change to the loose trio, Francois Louw will run out at No 8 in place of the injured Uzair Cassiem, while there is also a first Test start for Steven Kitshoff, who comes into the side as replacement for stalwart prop Tendai Mtawarira.

Kitshoff has played a record 18 matches off the bench in his position behind Mtawarira, the most-capped Springbok prop of all time with 95 caps to his name, who is unavailable for the match because of family reasons.

With Kitshoff earning his first start in the Springbok jersey, Wilco Louw has been drafted onto the bench. The former Junior Springbok and SA ‘A’ prop is the only uncapped player in the match 23.

Regarding the release of Mtawarira from the squad and the selection of Kitshoff, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said: “Losing your most experience player is not ideal, but family comes first in our caring environment.

“It’s a well-deserved starting opportunity for Steven. He has been working extremely hard in the last two seasons and fully deserves his chance.

“Wilco has established himself during the Vodacom Super Rugby season, while he also continued that form in the Currie Cup. When he gets the opportunity to play, it will be something special on his home ground,” said Coetzee.

The reshuffled loose trio is because of the injury-enforced absence of Cassiem, who sustained a fractured rib in last weekend’s 27-27 draw against the Wallabies in Bloemfontein. Cassiem will be out of action for up to six weeks.

The Springbok coach said his side will be looking for improvement in all areas.

“Our preparations have gone well this week and we are looking forward to Saturday’s Test at DHL Newlands,” said Coetzee.

“Francois is a seasoned openside flanker and although it’s his first Test start in the No 8 jersey, he has a good understanding of the role we expect from him. I believe his vast experience will see him settle in quickly in this role. Jean-Luc du Preez will again provide good impact off the bench.”

Meanwhile, Coetzee added the Springboks will be looking to improve in all facets of the game: “The All Blacks will again test us in every department. They don’t seem to have any weak areas, so we will have to show that we’ve learnt from our experience in Albany. Saturday is another huge opportunity for us to continue to grow as a team and build on our cohesion.”

Saturday’s match kicks off at 17h05 and is both teams’ final fixture of the 2017 Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

The Springbok team to play the All Blacks in Cape Town:

Andries Coetzee, Emirates Lions – 8 caps, 0 points
Dillyn Leyds, DHL Stormers – 4 caps, 0 points
Jesse Kriel, Vodacom Bulls – 24 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Jan Serfontein, Vodacom Bulls – 34 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Courtnall Skosan, Emirates Lions – 8 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Elton Jantjies, Emirates Lions / NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) – 19 caps, 191 points (2 tries, 35 conversions, 37 penalties)
Ross Cronje, Emirates Lions – 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Francois Louw, Bath, England – 53 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Pieter-Steph du Toit, DHL Stormers – 28 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Siya Kolisi, DHL Stormers – 24 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Lood de Jager, Vodacom Bulls – 31 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Eben Etzebeth (captain), DHL Stormers – 62 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Ruan Dreyer, Emirates Lions – 3 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Malcolm Marx, Emirates Lions – 10 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Steven Kitshoff, DHL Stormers – 18 caps, 0 points

Replacements:

Chiliboy Ralepelle, Cell C Sharks – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Trevor Nyakane, Vodacom Bulls – 33 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Wilco Louw, DHL Stormers – uncapped
Franco Mostert, Emirates Lions / Ricoh Black Rams (Jap) – 14 caps, 0 points
Jean-Luc du Preez, Cell C Sharks – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Rudy Paige, Vodacom Bulls – 11 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Handré Pollard, Vodacom Bulls – 21 caps, 188 points (2 tries, 29 conversions, 37 penalties, 3 drop goals)
Damian de Allende, DHL Stormers – 25 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Facts and Stats:

Test caps:

The total Test caps in the Springbok starting line-up is 331.
There are 102 caps in the backline and 229 caps amongst the forwards, with a further 136 caps amongst the replacements.
The average caps per player in the backline is 15, the forwards are 29 and the 17 caps.
The average age of the starting 15 is 26 years.Milestones

Elton Jantjies needs nine points to reach 200 points in Tests for South Africa.
Handré Pollard needs 12 points to reach 200 points in Tests for South Africa.
After a record 18 Tests as a substitute, Steven Kitshoff will on Saturday finally make his first start in a Test match.
Wilco Louw will make his Test and tournament debut should he come off the bench.The stadium:

The very first Test match between South Africa and New Zealand at DHL Newlands in Cape Town took place on 1 September, 1928. The Test was won by New Zealand with a score of 13-5.
During the next 80 years, eight more Test matches between the Springboks and All Blacks were played at this famous ground, the oldest rugby stadium in South Africa.
Saturday’s match will be the Springbok’s 10^th Test match against New Zealand at this venue.
The Springbok record for the previous nine matches is: P 9; W 3; L 6; PF: 89; PA: 130; TF: 7; TA: 12; Average score: 10-14. Win%: 33%.
South Africa’s overall record at the ground: P 52; W 35; L 15; D 2; PF: 1 014; PA: 637; TF: 131; TA: 67; Average score: 20-12. Win%: 67%.
South Africa’s overall record against New Zealand is: P: 94; W: 35; L: 56; D: 3; PF: 1 458; PA: 1 920; TF: 140; TA: 209; Average score: 16-20. Win%: 37%.