The Springboks are delighted to have two World Cup winners back in the engine room as the two-time defending world champions embark on their November tour. DYLAN JACK reports.
RG Snyman and Franco Mostert have made a welcome return to Rassie Erasmus’ squad for the European tour, where the Springboks will face Scotland, England and Wales over successive weekends.
Both locks missed the Rugby Championship-winning campaign through injury, but have been named in the 35-player squad after returning to full fitness.
Snyman, who was out with a foot injury, has made an excellent start to life with Leinster, scoring two tries in his first four games with the club.
Forwards coach Deon Davids expressed his delight at having two veterans available, as the Springboks target three wins from three from their tour.
“It’s very good to get some experience back into the side,” Davids said. “[RG and Franco] are always very helpful within the team environment and when we play against quality teams like we are facing. It’s good to have that experience around.
“Having guys like RG and Franco back in the picture is massive for us for the next three weeks.”
Davids said that with injury has come an opportunity for the Springboks to give proper experience to Ruan Nortje, who has grasped his chance to run the lineout with both hands and has retained his place in the squad.
“We’ve also had the opportunity now to give new guys a chance,” Davids said. “I believe they have really grown in their roles in the team. It’s good to see, in terms of the bigger picture.
“There’s a positive side to it, that we have the ability to give them that exposure, which will help us in the future.”
The Springboks did slightly move away from their traditional mauling during the Rugby Championship, in favour of some unique lineout variations.
However, Davids hinted that they could return to their traditional strengths during the tour.
“We know that teams know mauling and scrumming are our core strengths. It’s part of our DNA and will never disappear from our environment.
“We have faced different challenges in the way that teams have evolved their maul defence. We found it necessary for us to be better to look at different ways to outsmart the opposition. It’s helps us use the maul effectively when we choose to do that.
“It’s part of the bigger plan. We work hard on our mauling and it will play a big part over the next three weeks. But we have also tried to evolve with the game and adapt to different strategies. It’s good to have that variety. It creates different challenges for the opposition.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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