Rassie Erasmus has picked a Springbok matchday 23 to beat New Zealand and set up a Rugby Championship title win on Saturday, so expect more of a drizzle than a storm from the bench, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The arch-rivals last week clashed at Ellis Park, where the Boks came from a 10-point deficit to triumph 31-27. The win saw Erasmus’ charges extended their lead in the southern hemisphere competition, as the world champions top the table on 14 points.
A victory at Cape Town Stadium this week would mark only the second time in history that South Africa win four Tests in a row against the All Blacks.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane highlights the mutual respect between Erasmus and Scott Robertson ahead of the Cape Town rematch. Despite civil exchanges, both teams are prepared for an intense battle.
Erasmus has made minor adjustments, notably starting Handre Pollard at flyhalf and Canan Moodie replacing the concussed Kurt-Lee Arendse. Siya Kolisi, despite a fractured nose, leads the team.
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Keohane emphasises the Bok bench strength as a key factor, suggesting the Boks’ replacements will overpower the All Blacks in the final quarter, just as they did in Johannesburg.
But, he explains the decision by Erasmus to pick three backline substitutes as one made to counter the potency of the All Blacks backs, and that the introduction of the five forwards won’t be en masse as per norm.
“Erasmus, who has used several of this season’s Tests to grow squad playing experience, described his match 23 selection as one made to win the Test and set the squad up to win the Rugby Championship,” Keohane writes.
“Erasmus explained the decision to pick three backline players as one made to counter the potency of the All Black backs, as a collective and as individuals.
“The introduction of the bench players may be different, in that it may not be five forwards in one go, and it could be more measured specific to the flow of the match or the demands of the contest.
“Expect more of a drizzle than a storm with how Erasmus uses the bench.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/AG Media
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