Former Bok coach: Marx should have started against All Blacks!

The Bok team slipped to a surprise defeat against the All Blacks last weekend, but Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber defended his decision to start inexperienced hooker Joseph Dweba ahead of Malcolm Marx, saying “there’s always a reason” for every selection.

PLAYER RATINGS | WHO FIRED – AND WHO FLOPPED – FOR THE SPRINGBOKS

Some also questioned the thinking behind starting Duane Vermeulen straight after an injury layoff, while Ox Nche didn’t quite make his usual impact at loosehead prop.

Former Bok coach Jake White has now questioned the match-day changes, which were partly necessitated by Bongi Mbonambi’s knee injury.

“The changes they made helped the All Blacks. They started with Ox and Joseph, whereas they should have started with Trevor Nyakane and Malcolm,” White told Sport24.

“Without them, it allowed them to get their ball. Even when they made mistakes, they still put the All Blacks under pressure at scrum time.

“We didn’t get as many scrum penalties as compared to the first Test and I don’t understand why Marx didn’t start. I didn’t understand the logic of him being on the bench, especially with a change at hooker and prop, but once Bongi was ruled out he had to start.

“We weren’t the same scrum threat to the All Blacks that we were in the first Test.”

BIG READ | BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR SPRINGBOKS

Meanwhile, the Boks have unveiled a 34-man squad for the Australian leg of the Rugby Championship, with the uncapped Canan Moodie earning a call-up for his first tour in a settled national squad.

Moodie, who was called up to the squad as utility back cover following the suspension handed to wing Kurt-Lee Arendse for a dangerous tackle, is the only uncapped player in the group and will travel with the Springboks for the first time, providing cover at wing and fullback.

His presence also fills the void left by Cheslin Kolbe, who is on the road to recovery from a broken jaw, which will see him only return for the last Test against Argentina.

With Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) ruled out for four weeks after suffering a knee injury at training last week, Deon Fourie will serve as back-up to Malcolm Marx and Joseph Dweba, while Damian Willemse’s versatility in the backline will see provide cover at flyhalf, centre and fullback.

Notably, Stormers star Evan Roos has not been included in the touring group, while Cobus Reinach has recovered from injury and will add another option at scrumhalf.

BIG READ | BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR SPRINGBOKS

✈️ Bok squad announcement – the 34 players that will travel to Australia to face the Wallabies in back-to-back #CastleRugbyChampionship Tests: https://t.co/29MeTjOvEe#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever pic.twitter.com/yzRJdfSlmU

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 15, 2022

BOK TOURING SQUAD:

Props

Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers)

Vincent Koch (Wasps)

Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)

Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)

Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)

Hookers

Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers)

Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)

Locks

Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks)

Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)

Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)

Loose forwards

Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)

Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks)

Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)

Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)

Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)

Duane Vermeulen (Ulster)

Utility forwards

Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)

Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves

Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)

Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)

Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers)

Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)

Flyhalves

Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)

Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)

Midfielders

Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks)

Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)

Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins)

Outside backs

Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks)

Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)

Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)

Warrick Gelant (Racing 92)

Utility Backs

Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)

Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs)