Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has made two changes to the starting fifteen for Saturday’s 100th test match against New Zealand in Townsville, Australia. Lock Lood De Jager has recovered from a concussion and will replace Marvin Orie, while Kwagga Smith will take the place of France Mostert at flank.
Nienaber says they are working at fixing the defensive errors they committed against Australia at the weekend for the showdown against the All Blacks. In a week that the Springboks have come under so much flak for losing their second Rugby Championship match to Australia, a number of changes were expected to be made to the starting fifteen.
“There’s only two changes to the starting line-up. First one is Lood de Jager who comes on for Marvin Orie, Lood returns from his HRA and the second change is Kwagga Smith starting at seven and Franco Mostert moving to the bench,” says Nienaber.
Orie had a good game against Australia, but De Jager’s experience will help the Springboks against the All Blacks after he missed last weekend’s match against Australia. Smith is brought in to inject some pace among the loose forwards, but also to give Mostert a much-needed rest.
“Kwagga brought nice energy when he came on last weekend against Australia, and Kwagga is a versatile guy. He’s been part of us for a while since 2019 so excited to see what Kwagga is going to bring and maybe we can bring in Sous in at lock or blindside when we feel we need some injection,” Nienaber added.
The inclusion of flyhalf Elton Jantjies and utility back Frans Steyn are the changes to the bench to add more experience to the squad that will take on the All Blacks. Springbok forward, Jasper Wiese, who was cited for foul play wasn’t available for selection.
Meanwhile, Nienaber wasn’t prepared to reveal what their focus is as the team hopes to turn its fortunes around against the All Blacks in the historic test. But he feels the Springboks were let down by their defense last weekend against Australia which is one area of focus this week.
“We will have a session tomorrow on the defensive, I think there were one or two errors that we made there and probably just revisiting what we do as South Africans and we enjoy doing and probably going back to that,” Nienaber explains.
Nienaber has also said the Springboks will have to be at their best and test the All Blacks in all departments of the game including the physicality if they want to be victorious.
With ten points separating the Springboks from the All Blacks on the Rugby Championship log, a win is a must for the South Africans to keep alive their hopes of defending their title.
