Springboks: World Cup winner predicts that Rassie Erasmus won’t back controversial tactic for All Blacks Tests
Springboks forward Deon Fourie believes that Rassie Erasmus won’t back the same tactic that saw South Africa defeat the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final.
South Africa and New Zealand clash at Ellis Park in round three of the Rugby Championship, their first meeting since the World Cup final in Paris last year where the Springboks emerged 12-11 victors.
Fourie was on the bench for the final and came onto the pitch just three minutes into the match after an injury to Bongi Mbonambi, with the flanker playing 77 minutes at hooker.
The 37-year-old formed part of the seven forward replacements named on the bench for the final by then-Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber, who picked just one backline player for the fixture.
Deon Fourie predicts a 6-2 split for the Springboks
It was just the third time that the Springboks had used the tactic of selecting a 7-1 bench, which paid dividends in the clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium before the World Cup, with South Africa claiming a thumping 35-7 victory.
Ex-Scotland head coach Matt Williams was hugely critical of the Springboks’ tactics, claiming that they were ‘abusing the bench’ and that it was ‘against the spirit of the game.’
Despite the tactic delivering the right result for the Springboks in their last two meetings against the All Blacks, Fourie believes that Erasmus will not make use of it when the sides clash against Ellis Park.
“It (the 7-1 bench) can be considered again but I doubt it will be used in for the Test match at Ellis Park,” Fourie told Rapport.
“It’s going to be a fast Test match on the highveld with good weather, so with a 7-1 bench you are not going to be able to replace many of the backline players who will get tired in such games.”
While the experienced forward believes that Erasmus would not back the controversial tactic, he does think that the Springboks will have a forward-heavy bench.
“I think it will be a 6-2 split, especially with Jasper [Wiese] back and hopefully RG too,” he added.
According to reports, Ox Nche will feature from the bench for the Springboks and is likely to be joined by Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch and Kwagga Smith with Snyman, Wiese and Marco van Staden likely to fill the remaining two forward spots. Grant Williams and Handre Pollard are likely to fill the backline replacement places.
Fourie, who became the oldest Springboks debutant in 2022, is currently on the mend after sustaining a knee injury while on duty for the Stormers. The 37-year-old says that he is aiming to return to action before the end of the year.
“I’m already jogging again, but I probably won’t play again until November,” he said.
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Rassie Erasmus set for another shock Springboks selection as World Cup stars miss All Blacks clash – report
Rassie Erasmus is set to continue his bold selection policy for the Springboks’ upcoming Tests against the All Blacks, according to a report.
That means handing inexperienced international loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp a starting slot ahead of South Africa’s more established props.
Rapport are claiming that Steenekamp, who has shone in his four caps so far, will be in the Springboks XV for the first time in his Test career.
Ox on the bench
As a result, Ox Nche will revert to the bench, a role he fulfilled superbly during the Rugby World Cup when they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for a fourth time.
It would be a big call from Erasmus with Nche impressing from the start in their mid-year Tests against Wales and Ireland, and particularly in their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies.
That decision from the head coach also comes at a cost for fellow World Cup star Steven Kitshoff, with the experienced front-rower reportedly not going to be involved at all.
Kitshoff has missed the opening few matches of the Test season but recovered from injury to take his place in the wider training squad for the New Zealand encounters. However, it looks like the 32-year-old will have to bide his time if he is to add to his 83 caps.
Steenekamp’s inclusion may not be the only surprise name in the tight five with Pieter-Steph du Toit potentially moving back to lock as well.
South Africa have endured their issues in the second-row with Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert among those to be absent through injury.
Another World Cup winner, RG Snyman, was set to start against Australia in the first round of the Rugby Championship but his late withdrawal meant that Du Toit shifted to lock.
Although Snyman is expected to be in contention to face the All Blacks next weekend, he may well have to make do with a position on the bench, or could even miss out altogether with Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat and Nico Janse van Rensburg all viable options.
Should Du Toit be at lock then that could open up a chance for the talented Stormer, Ben-Jason Dixon, who could well get a huge opportunity in the back-row.
Backline
Behind the scrum, Rapport believe that hugely gifted youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will continue at fly-half and will be partnered by Cobus Reinach.
Despite the presence of Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard in the squad, Erasmus went for Feinberg-Mngomezulu against the Wallabies and the 22-year-old grasped the opportunity, impressing in both Tests.
He is unlikely to be joined by another generational talent, though, with the head coach reportedly resisting the temptation to bring back Canan Moodie.
Moodie will probably join fellow returnees Jaden Hendrikse, Andre Esterhuizen and Jasper Wiese in missing out, although the latter could make the bench.
