Second-string Springboks team sends clear message to midfield hopefuls
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has been quick to quash any suggestions his side are showing the Wallabies disrespect by rolling out what appears to be a second-string team for the opening clash of the Rugby Championship.
“There’s no disrespect to Australia at all,” Erasmus said.
“If we didn’t have the tough draw in terms of travelling with New Zealand and Australia we would have picked the best first choice team for this one and the next.”
Tellingly, Erasmus’ comments seem to imply that the first Springboks team of the year is, by and large, a B team.
It was already expected that a weakened lineup would be rolled out to take on Austalia at Ellis Park, given that match against the All Blacks in Wellington a week later. Looking through the named side, it’s hard to argue with that prediction.
Captain Eben Etzebeth, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and prop Tendai Mtawarira will likely all be expected to back up against the All Blacks next weekend, but the rest of the side will likely to struggle to earn starts this year against the top teams.
Fans and pundits won’t be overly surprised by any of Erasmus’ picks for the second-string side.
The Springboks fielded what was effectively a first XV when they played their final game of 2018 against Wales. Of the side picked to play the Wallabies, only Etzebeth, du Toit and Jesse Kriel also started in the loss to Wales.
Etzebeth and du Toit’s selections this weekend are probably partially dictated by the need to keep some experienced faces in the side, but the more pressing reason is likely due to the lack of game time that those two have accumulated in 2019.
Injuries have limited Etzebeth to just 240 minutes of Super Rugby this year. Du Toit started the season strongly but hasn’t played a match since late May.
Outside centre Kriel is in a slightly different boat.
Midfield mix
Five midfielders have been selected in the Springboks squad for the Rugby Championship. Kriel is joined by his regular partner from the latter half of last year, Damian de Allende, as well as the Sharks pairing of Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am. The returning Frans Steyn, who debuted for the Springboks 13 years ago, is the final piece in the mix.
South Africa played four matches on last year’s tour to Europe. Close losses to England and Wales sandwiched tight wins over Scotland and France. The de Allende/Kriel partnership started in all four matches, with Elton Jantjies coming off the bench in three of the matches to take over from de Allende. Lionel Mapoe and Esterhuizen were the only other dedicated midfielders to also travel north but only Esterhuizen received any game time, and just 20 minutes at that.
You could be forgiven for assuming that Kriel’s 320 minutes of play on that end of year tour means he’s the obvious first-choice centre for the Springboks. That would perhaps be the case if it weren’t for the presence of Lukhanyo Am in the current squad.
Am wasn’t a part of 2018’s end of year tour on account of breaking his arm in South Africa’s clutch win against New Zealand in Wellington last year. Although Am was initially named in the touring party, his injury was healing up slower than anticipated and was replaced in the squad by Mapoe.
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The fact that Am was even selected in the squad at all should give you an idea of how well-regarded the former Kings player is by coach Erasmus. Am could barely pass a ball and hadn’t played a game of rugby in a month and a half yet was still considered one of the top four centres in the country.
As such, it should come as no surprise that Am has been recalled into the Springboks on the back of a very successful Super Rugby campaign.
Successful start to Rugby Championship
There’s a reason why Erasmus values Am so much. The Sharks centre played his first Rugby Championship match last year, against the Pumas at his home ground in Durban. Am partnered with Sharks teammate Esterhuizen for that much, with the Springboks emerging victors, 34-21. The outside centre scored the Springboks’ first try of the game.
Am then had the ignominy of playing in South Africa’s biggest ever loss to Argentina just one week later, falling 32-19 in Buenos Aires. Whilst Am didn’t cover himself in glory in that match, no Springbok did, with the forward pack getting belted by the Argentinians.
The embarrassment of that defeat was quickly replaced with glory however. Kriel started in South Africa’s next game, a loss to Australia, but Am was reinstated for the Springbok’s fixture against the All Blacks. He made some punishing tackles against the men in black, helping the Springboks to a 2-point lead at halftime before he had to retire due to injury.
When available, Am has been an almost certain selection for the Erasmus – and that looks like it’s set to continue when the Springboks face the All Blacks in a rematch of the Wellington match from last year.
Kriel still playing like a fullback
Kriel would have hoped that his efforts on the end of year tour in 2018 would have been enough to reassert himself as the first choice 13 for his national side, but that looks like it’s not the case.
Am showed in Super Rugby why he’s so valuable for the Springboks. Kriel is a converted fullback – perhaps better at running the ball – but Am is a midfielder through and through. His distribution skills certainly trump Kriels and he often chooses to put his teammates in space instead of looking to make the breaks himself. When Am does decided to carry, however, he’s a hard man to put down and is often able to keep the ball alive in the tackle. When you have as dangerous outside backs as the Springboks do, it’s easy to see why Am might be favoured.
Of course, there is a chance that Erasmus does still see Kriel as first choice. Few experienced players have been selected for the Wallabies match this weekend and having an experienced campaigner like Kriel in the backs will be invaluable for the relatively inexperienced line-up.
Regardless, Kriel won’t be want to get complacent. He has the first opportunity this year to prove that he’s a worthy starting centre for South Africa but already finds himself in the ‘B team’ and having to make up ground.
The World Cup kicks off in two months – that doesn’t leave aspiring Springboks lots of time to assert themselves on the international stage. Kriel’s battle for a spot in the midfield starts this weekend, and he needs to hit top gear right from the go.
The Springboks will face a strong Wallabies side this weekend that could see returning halfback Nic White starting in the 9 jersey:
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments