Herschel Jantjies scores a try during the 2019 Rugby Championship. Photo: EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
THREE Springboks who will be in the spotlight against Wales
As the Springboks prepare to tackle Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, here’s a look at three players who will particularly have plenty to gain.
Herschel Jantjies scores a try during the 2019 Rugby Championship. Photo: EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
The Boks’ first encounter on the end-of-year tour will kick off at 19h30 SA time, with head coach Jacques Nienaber having notably rejigged the backline for this highly-anticipated Test against Wales.
READ | DEFEATS IN AUSTRALIA ‘HURT’, BUT NEVER STRESSED SPRINGBOKS
DAMIAN WILLEMSE
The talented 23-year-old has been backed to start this crucial game at fullback. It will be his 14th Test appearance, but just the fourth time he has started.
This has already been a big year on the international scene for Willemse, who featured as a reserve in all three Tests against the British & Irish Lions, often filling the all-important role as the key utility back on the bench.
Willemse has popped up at flyhalf and inside centre for the Boks this season, but will have a big opportunity to highlight his qualities at fullback, where he is clearly seen as a possible successor to veteran Willie le Roux.
READ | SPRINGBOKS AIMING TO END EIGHT-YEAR WALES DROUGHT – JESSE KRIEL
JESSE KRIEL
Kriel is just two Tests away from reaching the 50-cap milestone, which has been long awaited. The 27-year-old was injured in the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup opener against the All Blacks, and didn’t feature again in the tournament.
The Boks were then robbed of any international action last year, while Kriel has not featured in a frontline role this season, only starting against Georgia and in one Rugby Championship clash against Argentina.
The last time Kriel featured on the wing was back in 2018 when the Boks pulled of a stunning victory over New Zealand in Wellington. There is no doubt that he will be grateful to have received another opportunity to get some meaningful game time under the belt, even if it is in the somewhat less familiar position out wide.
READ | SPRINGBOKS V WALES: ALL THE HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS SINCE 1906!
HERSCHEL JANTJIES
When Faf de Klerk was ruled out of the third Test against the British & Irish Lions, Cobus Reinach was the man entrusted with the Springboks’ No 9 jersey, with the Bok coaches then suggesting he was a “like for like” replacement.
Many might have expected Reinach to once again step into a starting berth in the absence of De Klerk, who has been ruled out of this end-of-year tour, but instead a big opportunity has fallen to Jantjies.
The 25-year-old did look to be in some good form during the Rugby Championship, and this is the perfect time for him to make a statement in just his third start at scrumhalf.
EXPLAINER | HOW THE SPRINGBOKS CAN REGAIN THE NO 1 RANKING ON SATURDAY
Here’s a reminder how the Boks will line up on Saturday:
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.
