Teams named for Springboks trial game, with Kolisi set to resume captaincy
World Cup-winning Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will resume his leadership duties in the national team colours on Saturday for the first time since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup after being named alongside teammate Lukhanyo Am as the captains of the Green and Gold teams for the so-called Springbok Showdown.
The Green team is coached by Mzwandile Stick, with SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus serving as the team commissioner, while Deon Davids is the Gold team coach and Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber team commissioner.
Stick was forced to make three changes to his matchday squad for the clash after utility forward Oupa Mohoje tested positive for Covid-19 and prop Trevor Nyakane was withdrawn from the squad after being in close contact with his former Cheetahs teammate. Ex-Junior Springbok utility back Mnombo Zwelendaba was ruled out due to a hip injury.
As a result, three young guns have been called into the Springbok Gold team – Kwenzo Blose (prop), Kade Wolhuter (flyhalf) and JJ van der Mescht (lock). All three players have been named on the bench.
Stick said: “We have a good balance in our team if you look at the mix between the youngsters and senior players,” he said. “We have the likes of Siya Kolisi, Duane (Vermeulen), Elton (Jantjies) and Frans (Steyn) that were with us at the World Cup in Japan while we worked with some of the youngsters at a junior level and it’s great to give them a taste of a Test week.”
?? Kolisi and Am will lead the two sides on Saturday
? Youth and experience in both squads for the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown
? All the information here: https://t.co/yURaaMUEy6 pic.twitter.com/QoNy6OfErM— Springboks (@Springboks) September 30, 2020
Davids was equally pleased with his team’s preparations: “The week has gone very well so far, with good enthusiasm at training and a great eagerness to learn and to absorb what is happening in this special environment. We will see a fascinating battle between two interesting and exciting team combinations.”
Stick, who admitted it was great to see the domestic players back in action after the country was forced into lockdown six months ago, expected an entertaining clash. “We would like to give the players the freedom to express themselves, and to showcase their talent and bring that X-factor,” said Stick.
“If you look at the likes of Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, they use their chances one-on-one, and we would like to give these young players the opportunity to do that. With the experienced players around them, it will be a good match.”
Am, meanwhile, kicked off the banter between the teams in the build-up to the match saying: “I’m not letting any secrets out the bag, but we have surprises in store for the Green squad.”
SPRINGBOK GREEN: 15. Gianni Lombard; 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Malcolm Jaer; 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Sanele Nohamba; 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Arno Botha, 6. Siya Kolisi (capt), 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. JD Schickerling, 3. Luan de Bruin, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Ox Nche. Reps: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Kwenzo Blose, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. JJ van der Mescht, 20. Juarno Augustus, 21. Junior Pokomela, 22. Embrose Papier, 23. Manie Libbok, 24. Jeremy Ward, 25. Kade Wolhuter
SPRINGBOK GOLD: 15. Warrick Gelant; 14. Rosko Specman, 13. Lukhanyo Am (capt) 12. Rikus Pretorius, 11. Courtnall Skosan; 10. Damian Willemse, 9. Herschel Jantjies; 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Nizaam Carr, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff. Reps: 16. Dylan Richardson, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. James Venter, 21. Vincent Tshituka, 22. Ivan van Zyl, 23. Curwin Bosch, 24. Werner Kok, 25. Manuel Rass
Jake White's poised to bring his Bulls to Europe https://t.co/Vnr2uUliau
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 29, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Over rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to comments