Springboks: Nick Mallett’s blunt verdict on Malcolm Marx potential positional switch against Wallabies
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and former South Africa head coach Nick Mallett (inset).
Nick Mallett has revealed that he is not in favour of Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx potentially playing on the flank against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday.
South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to his starting line-up for the one-off Test with veteran second-row Eben Etzebeth and left wing Ethan Hooker being the only players to retain their positions in the run-on side from their 43-28 triumph over New Zealand in their final Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash in Baltimore a fortnight ago.
Marx included on the replacements bench
Meanwhile, current World Rugby Player of the Year Marx has been named amongst the replacements for the Wallabies encounter and is one of seven players who are on bench duty after starting in the Springboks‘ win over the All Blacks.
After announcing his team on Tuesday, Erasmus discussed some of his front-row changes and his decision to select Marco van Staden at number eight while hinting that Marx could make a surprise appearance on the side of the scrum against Australia.
“Jan-Hendrik Wessels has played for us previously against Australia. Johan Grobbelaar has started for us against Australia. So most of these guys know what it’s like,” he said.
“Jan-Hendrik is a nice swinger; he plays one and two for us. So in this specific game, we feel we’re giving him a chance. Grobbies has always been solid for us.
“We felt that after Deon Fourie played so well in the Stormers game, what he could bring to the team from a knowledge, character-wise, and leadership point of view would mean a hell of a lot for us during the New Zealand series, and he certainly did.
Springboks: Rassie Erasmus reveals Malcolm Marx experiment that could debut versus Australia
‘We’ve been trying Malcolm on the flank’
“But with him playing three Test matches in a row at the age of 39, Grobbies deserves a chance now. Even later in the game, if Ox Nche comes up, Jan-Hendrik might move to hooker, and we’ve been trying Malcolm on the flank a little bit.
“So we’re trying to spare, save the bodies and manage the guys whilst winning, but building some squad depth and getting some caps into certain guys where we feel we’re going to need at the World Cup. So it’s a combination of things.”
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Former Boks boss Mallett, however, is not in favour of the Marx experiment.
“I’m surprised that they would think of moving Marx to flank. I mean, why?” he told the Talking Boks podcast.
“He’s our best hooker. Just keep him at hooker, get him off the field, get another guy on and keep him safe and sound.
“In my view, we really need to prolong his career because there isn’t someone bashing that door down just yet.”
