The Springboks’ bold move in giving a youthful backline a go in the second leg of their New Zealand tour appears to have given coach Rassie Erasmus the clarity he needed for the road ahead.
Rassie Erasmus recently announced his final squad of 33 players, comprising 18 forwards and 15 backline players, that would be taking on Argentina in rounds 5 and 6 of this year’s Rugby Championship competition. The squad included many of the youthful names that featured in the match-day line-up and defeated the New Zealand All Blacks 43 – 10 at the Sky Stadium in Wellington.
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While names like the 22-year-old Sharks utility back Ethan Hooker, Canan Moody (Bulls), Manie Libbok, and Damian Willemse (both Stormers) all maintained their spot, regular starters like the experienced Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Makazole Mapimpi, and Faf de Klerk were also included.
Rassie believes that the current group possesses all of the necessary attributes needed to claim a consecutive Rugby Championship trophy.
“This group of players has been together for over 13 weeks now, and they’ve shown that they are the right players for the big task against the Pumas (the Argentinian rugby team),” said coach Erasmus.
Speaking on his observations following the weekend’s record-breaking victory, he added, “The fact that the younger and older guys have been training with one another against one another on the field almost daily really paid off last weekend, and we have no doubt that if we continue showing our faith in these players, we will get the best out of them.”
Meanwhile, a number of players have been ruled out of contention due to injury. These include: Aphelele Fassi (fullback), Kurt-lee Arendse (wing), Lood de Jager (lock), Jean-Luc Du Preez (loose-forward), and Salmaan Moerat (lock).
Coach Rassie admitted that while it is disappointing not to have them join the team, he is certain that the current group is capable of delivering a good result.
As it stands, the teams that have featured in this year’s competition have each recorded two victories and two defeats against the opposition. The Boks currently occupy the second position, just one point behind Australia, with New Zealand and Argentina still within reach, currently third and fourth respectively.
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Following a short break, the group will assemble in Durban, where they will start preparations for their final two matches against Argentina, taking place on 27 September at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban, followed by another on 4 October at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Also see: Rugby community praises Manie Libbok heroics in Springbok victory – ‘The balance was spot on’
