Rassie Erasmus says he has given Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Elrigh Louw their first starts for the Springboks with the 2027 World Cup in mind.
Erasmus handed Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Louw their first Test starts as the notable changes to the Bok lineup for the clash with the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Feinberg-Mngomezulu is elevated to start at flyhalf after four appearances off the bench this season (coming on at either flyhalf or fullback) while Louw starts at No 8 after four replacement appearances since his debut at the start of the 2022 season.
Meanwhile, Handre Pollard will offer his experience off the bench, in what could be an early view of Erasmus’ plans for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“As we tell ourselves internally, we can’t look too far ahead and forget the present. We also just can’t look at the present and I think in the squad you can see that,” Erasmus explained.
“I think there are nine guys in the squad that weren’t regulars prior to the World Cup last year.
“I wouldn’t say it is the changing of the guard. It is about giving guys an opportunity while guys like Handre [Pollard] and Manie [Libbok] are helping to nurture them from Test match to Test match.
“When we went to the 2019 World Cup, we didn’t want to go with a guy with under eight or nine caps and I don’t think there has been a World Cup won with a flyhalf who is younger than 24,” Erasmus added.
“I think Jonny Wilkinson was the youngest
“We will rather blood a guy now and get him some proper backup with experience like Damian [de Allende] on his outside.
“It’s the same for Elrigh who plays at No 8. It is his fifth Test cap, so it is not a changing of the guard.
“It’s a squad of 45 guys trying to win each Test match with an eye on the future. But they have to earn their stripes to change the guard.”
De Allende added that he would do everything he can to allow Feinberg-Mngomezulu to play his natural game, as the Springboks hunt their first win at Lang Park since 2013.
“He is well spoken and he has got a lot of confidence, which I really enjoy,” said De Allende. It will be his first start and I know he will be quite nervous, but I hope that he will be composed.
“When he is composed and he expresses himself then he is exceptional, so I am looking forward to the Test match.
“I will try and keep him composed and let him express himself on that field and if plays his natural game, he will be a joy to watch.”
Photo: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
The post Rassie: Young guns must earn Bok stripes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
