Springboks, Rassie Erasmus Again Made a Bold Call Gamble at hooker Ahead of All Blacks Test
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has again made a bold call in terms of his options at hooker ahead of the Tests against the All Blacks.
It can’t be forgotten that during last year’s World Cup, the Springboks opted against calling up a specialist hooker after an injury to Malcolm Marx.
Instead, Rassie Erasmus took the bold decision to trust Deon Fourie as the back-up hooker, while another regular flanker Marco van Staden provided emergency cover.
Fast forward a few months and Erasmus has made another big call, retaining only two specialist hookers in his squad, with Marx and Bongi Mbonambi set to share game-time between them.
However, if one of them had to pick up an injury on the eve of the games against the All Blacks, the Springboks’ only option would be to call on newcomer Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who is more regularly deployed at prop.
Commenting on the decision to select Wessels as his third-choice hooker, Erasmus said: “Jan-Hendrik is a versatile player who enjoys playing both prop and hooker and we also have Marco van Staden who can slot into the middle of the front row if needed, hence we opted against selecting another hooker.
“That said we have drawn up an extensive list of standby players who could slot in at any time if we suffer injuries.”
Springboks ready for battle
Casting an eye on the Tests against New Zealand, Erasmus said: “They are one of the best teams in the world and they tend to deliver top drawer performances against us time and time again, so we have to be charged up physically and mentally for the challenge ahead.
“It’s good that we are facing them at home in front of our passionate supporters in sold-out stadiums, although they have a strong support base in Cape Town, so we are under no illusions about what lies ahead.
“That said, it’s vital for us to continue building on the momentum that we gained in our first two games.
“We are currently at the top of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship table, but one result can change that, so we realise the importance of giving everything in these matches to keep alive our hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2019.”
Squad for the New Zealand leg of theRugby Championship:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier).
Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Flyhalves: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).