Bok players

Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies and Jesse Kriel. Photo: SA Rugby website

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Why Boks opted to start Pollard, Kriel

Ahead of the Boks’ third and final end-of-year Test, take a look at the key takeaways from the team announcement press conference.

Bok players

Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies and Jesse Kriel. Photo: SA Rugby website

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach in a fresh halfback pairing, and recalled Lood de Jager at lock in three changes to his starting team for Saturday’s Test against England at Twickenham.

Jesse Kriel will start a third successive on the wing, while Herschel and Elton Jantjies drop to the bench.

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Here is what was said at Tuesday’s press conference from Edinburgh:

Nienaber on team selections:

“S’bu (Nkosi) joined us a little bit late due to his passport and travel document problems. Then Jesse (Kriel) really made up a step up from the Wales game to the Scotland Test, especially with all the variations Scotland offer. I think it was a good performance, and for us this end of year tour was an opportunity to build some experience in different areas, so that’s why we wanted to give Jesse another opportunity on the wing.

We had certain internal goals that we wanted to try out on the end of year tour, without losing winning momentum. We felt Elton (Jantjies) was outstanding last weekend, and it was a good time for us to give him a start after all the hard work he puts in. But with Elton on the bench for this weekend, he gives us a bit more versatility and something different late in the game.

Nienaber on coming up against the England coaching staff:

“I think Eddie (Jones) is a brilliant coach, we’ve come up against him a couple of times, and he was previously involved with the Boks in 2007 – so he will have an idea of how we operate as a team. And of course so will (former Bok assistant) Matt Proudfoot. From my analysis of England, they’ve got a really scrum, and there are a lot of similarities between us and them. If you look at their scrum performance and number of penalties they’re winning there, it’s clear to see that they are really formidable in that department.

“Looking at England’s win over Australia last weekend, it’s also clear to see how they are benefiting from the experience they have in their team, and they clearly know what they DNA is all about. The core of the the England side is still made up of the guys who took them to victory against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final in 2019, and then played against us in the final.

Nienaber on his memories from that 2019 World Cup final

“To be honest my memories are a bit distant considering all that has gone on since then, but we know that we will need a strong set piece to provide us with good front foot ball and momentum. I think there will be lots of similarities between the two games.”

Nienaber adopting a diplomatic outlook on Springbok players being snubbed in the World Rugby award nominations:

“In terms of the nominations, we trust and respect the process from World Rugby. If you look at the quality of all the nominees it’s tremendous, we’re happy for them. We wish all of them the best of luck.”

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