Rassie makes bold calls at 10 for Springboks, SA ‘A’
· The South African
In typical Rassie Erasmus style, the team announcements for the Springboks and SA ‘A’ teams were not without some surprises on Tuesday.
The SA ‘A’ team will take the field against Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 12:00 on Saturday, which will be followed by the clash between the Springboks and Barbarians at 15:00.
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With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injured and Handre Pollard caught up with URC action, it left Manie Libbok as the only regular Test flyhalf in the Springboks’ wider squad.
However, Erasmus has rather opted to test his depth at 10, unexpectedly selected Lions fullback Quan Horn to start for the Springboks at flyhalf. Talented Vusi Moyo will provide cover from the bench.
For the SA ‘A’ team, Junior Springbok star Yaqeen Ahmed will wear the No 10 jersey. Interestingly, there are also two scrumhalves on the bench in Nico Steyn and Imad Khan, and so Luan Giliomee – who will start at fullback – is likely to offer back up at flyhalf.
Rassie happy to roll the dice for two ‘warm-up games’ as Springbok season kicks off
Erasmus said he was pleased with the quality of the team he announced as injuries and enforced rest for certain players resulted in him having to tweak a few player combinations.
“We said from the outset that we wanted to give a few players returning from injury and others who have been playing overseas game time in this match, while at the same time exposing some of the younger players on our radar to top-class international rugby, and we believe this squad reflects those objectives,” said Erasmus.
“We have been very impressed with the way the new players have jumped straight into action and grasped our systems and structures, and we are excited to see what they can do alongside some of our regular Springbok players, as we build for what will be a challenging season with the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series approaching.”
Springbok team to face the Barbarians in Gqeberha:
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Cheslin Kolbe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Edwill van der Merwe
10 Quan Horn
9 Grant Williams
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 Franco Mostert
4 Riley Norton
3 Carlu Sadie
2 Andre-Hugo Venter
1 Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 JJ Kotze
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu
18 Zachary Porthen
19 Ben-Jason Dixon
20 Paul de Villiers
21 Evan Roos
22 Faf de Klerk
23 Vusi Moyo
SA ‘A’ team to face Zimbabwe in Gqeberha:
15 Luan Giliomee
14 Jaco Williams
13 Markus Muller
12 Lukhanyo Am
11 Zekhethelo Siyaya
10 Yaqeen Ahmed
9 Haashim Pead
8 Phepsi Buthelezi
7 Bathobele Hlekani
6 Emmanuel Tshituka
5 Ruben van Heerden
4 Vincent Tshituka (captain)
3 Neethling Fouche
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele
1 Boan Venter
Replacements:
16 Liam van Wyk
17 Oliver Reid
18 Hanro Jacobs
19 Adre Smith
20 Siba Mahashe
21 Nico Steyn
22 Imad Khan
23 Jurenzo Julius