Springboks predicted team: Rassie Erasmus turns to Bomb Squad to ‘rectify’ Wallabies defeat as mass changes made
Damian de Allende (front right) with an inset of Rassie Erasmus (left)
Rassie Erasmus will have a lot on his mind ahead of the Springboks’ upcoming Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town, given both the result at Ellis Park and the latest wave of injury blows.
Speaking earlier today, Erasmus confirmed he would be without four of his major players heading into the clash, with captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe all sidelined, but this will likely just fuel the widespread changes within his 23-man squad.
The Boks boss did not hold back following the 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies on Saturday, describing his post-match press conference as ‘one of the most embarrassing’ of his career and describing his team’s overall performance as ‘dogsh**’, but he also revealed the defeat was so bad he has already changed his inital team which was named internally last week.
“We actually already picked next week’s team, so the players actually know the team, but we had a chat now in the changing room and that will probably change,” he said.
“We’ll have to rethink it. They tactically outsmarted us and also physically dominated us. The longer the game went on it, they were supposed to struggle at altitude and it just shows what Joe Schmidt is building there.
“He has a strong group of guys who believe in one another and got stronger as the game went on. Next week’s team was announced internally but we will review it tonight.”
That in itself is a reflection of the changes to come within this team heading into Saturday’s Test in Cape Town, but just how different could it look? Well, without further ado, here is our take on how the Springboks could line up this weekend.
15 Damian Willemse
With Erasmus likely to roll out the changes, Damian Willemse could be in line for a start this weekend. The World Cup winner has had to be patient in recent times, with his injury woes allowing Aphele Fassi to become the regular starting full-back, but he is a real quality player within his own right and could properly stake a claim for his shirt with a strong performance in Cape Town. His ability to be that extra ball-player in the backfield will also be crucial given the Boks’ new attacking identity.
14 Canan Moodie
The Springboks have a crisis on the wings heading into this Test Two against Australia, which could see Canan Moodie thrust out wide. The Bulls’ utility has been looking for the golden time to nail his spot in the starting XV, and this seems the perfect opportunity to do just that.
13 Jesse Kriel
While he didn’t have his best game last weekend, Jesse Kriel will likely keep his place in the side for Test Two. The experienced back has been such an important cog within this Boks side for a good while now, particularly in the past two seasons, and you’d expect him to be a driving force for any Springbok improvement. You feel he needs a big game this time out, though.
12 Damian de Allende
Reuniting with Kriel in our predicted midfield is Damian de Allende. The imposing centre adds some serious firepower to this attack, especially with his well-timed lines against the grain, but it’s his defensive connection with his centre partner that will prove the real difference. Australia’s centres got some good change down that middle channel, so having a settled partnership could be the key to neutralising that. Esterhuizen is unlucky to miss out.
11 Cheslin Kolbe
Another World Cup hero, Cheslin Kolbe, is likely to come straight back into the side following the injury to Arendse, and he should make an instant impact. The silky winger is one of the best players in the world right now, and brings heaps of X-factor to this Boks attack. His speed will also be crucial in neutralising Max Jorgensen as well.
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Erasmus faces a tough call at 10, but Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu seems the likely candidate to come into the starting lineup. His desire to play at tempo and play in space really fits what Tony Brown wants out of the attack, and he backs that intent up with good execution, too. His combination with Willemse could also work wonders.
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9 Grant Williams
Adds some proper pace around the ruck, and with Feinberg-Mngomezulu restored alongside him, there should be fireworks on Saturday. He was also arguably the best in Green and Gold last weekend, so he warrants a spot in the team.
8 Cobus Wiese
Another area where the Boks are looking light is number eight, but it could again result in Cobus Wiese coming in here. The Bulls enforcer slotted in here against Georgia and did a decent job of it, but this will be a tough task, given Harry Wilson would be his opposite man.
7 Jean-Luc du Preez
With du Toit also ruled out for this one, it could see Jean-Luc du Preez come straight into the starting XV at blindside. The Bordeaux-bound forward will bring some serious power to this pack, and also comes into it with a point to prove, given he’s been on the outskirts of the Test side for a while. He could also very easily swap with Wiese at eight.
6 Marco van Staden
His industrious work around the breakdown was key to their early lead, and it should again be crucial this weekend. He also adds some serious size and steel to the pack, which Erasmus will be after.
5 Lood de Jager
While the lineout might not have gone the way South Africa would have hoped for, the lock should keep his place in the side. His work around the pitch was a highlight of their fast start, and if he can replicate those efforts, the Boks should again be in a good position.
4 Eben Etzebeth
Immense in a losing cause last weekend, and should retain his place in the side as a result. His smash-and-bash approach will also prove pivotal in neutralising any threat presented by the Wallabies’ lock unit, particularly Will Skelton.
3 Wilco Louw
By far the form tighthead in the Boks camp, if not the wider Test game, and should continue that form this weekend with another start. Erasmus might not have been too pleased with his pack’s efforts, but when Louw was on the scrum fired.
2 Malcom Marx
If he can remedy his lineout work, then they will be golden. Marx was pretty strong around the loose, as you would expect, and got heavily involved in the tough graft. He also aided the scrum no end.
1 Ox Nche
Could copy and paste Louw’s section into here, as Nche deserves to retain his spot. The powerful loosehead took it right to Taniela Tupou in the scrums and chucked his body about to good effect in the loose as well.
Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 RG Snyman, 21Kwagga Smith, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Handre Pollard
The biggest changes of all, though, will likely be on the bench, with the boss expected to turn to his trusty Bomb Squad to rectify last weekend’s defeat. In the forwards, Ruan Nortje and RG Snyman will bring some serious beef to the squad in this role, and will also be keen to prove a point after missing out last weekend. The front-row options will also likely change, with Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Vincent Koch our chosen unit.
Among the backs on the bench, Morne van den Berg could add some serious tempo to proceedings, while Handre Pollard could also prove the man to close the game out if they find themselves in a similar situation to last weekend.
