The Springboks will go back to basics at Ellis Park on Saturday as they attempt to rescue the series against Ireland.
Back-to-back defeats‚ after last weekend’s 20-26 loss in the first match of the incoming series at Newlands Stadium‚ would spell disaster and would ensure a first-ever series win against the Boks for the visitors.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee stressed that it was crucial for his charges to “get the basics right” if they intend on having any chance of levelling the series ahead of the last of the three tests in Port Elizabeth next week.
“I know a lot of people expect a bit of running rugby. My philosophy is that if it’s on then it’s on. That is something we have worked on this week... but we are not going to play unnecessary if it is not on‚” said Coetzee.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies will get his first starting berth in the green and gold.
The pivot will partner with his provincial halfback partner Faf de Klerk. Expectation will be that the pair will ignite the same spark they have been showing for the Lions in Super Rugby.
“With Elton I know there will be a huge expectation for him to fire‚ that is the least I am expecting‚” cautioned Coetzee.
“I just want Elton to take control of the game and manage it well.
“That is the big thing about test match rugby‚ it’s not about hitting sixes‚ but I want Elton to play us into the right areas of the field. I expect him to beat the rush‚ to be clever‚ make good decisions when there is space at the back and to put the ball there.”
Bok captain Adriaan Strauss highlighted defence‚ the maul and breakdown as key areas that his side will target and want to improve this week.
“We need to be smart about the rush defence‚” said Strauss.
“We need to be better up front at maul time. That is an area we pride ourselves in and one we need to face up to.
“At the breakdown we gave away a lot of ball possession with silly mistakes. That area will be very important.”
The Irish will be hoping for the same cool headedness the youthful side showed last week
“I think everyone stepped up and took their opportunities last week. That is what international rugby is all about really. Especially some guys who do not have a whole lot of international experience – it’s great to see those guys growing‚” said Ireland No8 Jamie Heaslip.
“It’s great to see the guys come down here and not be fazed. They have a good head on their shoulders and are not getting carried away but are focused on the challenge that will be presented this weekend.”
Kickoff for the match will be at 5pm.
The teams are:
The Springboks:
Willie le Roux‚ JP Pietersen‚ Lionel Mapoe‚ Damian de Allende‚ Lwazi Mvovo‚ Elton Jantjies‚ Faf de Klerk‚ Duane Vermeulen‚ Siya Kolisi‚ Francois Louw‚ Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ Eben Etzebeth‚ Frans Malherbe‚ Adriaan Strauss‚ Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi‚ Trevor Nyakane‚ Julian Redelinghuys‚ Franco Mostert‚ Warren Whiteley‚ Rudy Paige‚ Morne Steyn‚ Ruan Combrinck.
Ireland:
Jared Payne‚ Andrew Trimble‚ Robbie Henshaw‚ Stuart Olding‚ Craig Gilroy‚ Paddy Jackson‚ Conor Murray‚ Jamie Heaslip‚ Rhys Ruddock‚ Iain Henderson‚ Quinn Roux‚ Devin Toner‚ Tadhg Furlong‚ Rory Best‚ Jack McGrath. Replacements: Richardt Strauss‚ David Kilcoyne‚ Finlay Bealham‚ Donnacha Ryan‚ Sean Reidy‚ Kieran Marmion‚ Ian Madigan‚ Tiernan O’Halloran.?
— TMG Digital
Crunch time for the Springboks at Ellis Park today
The Springboks will go back to basics at Ellis Park on Saturday as they attempt to rescue the series against Ireland.
Back-to-back defeats‚ after last weekend’s 20-26 loss in the first match of the incoming series at Newlands Stadium‚ would spell disaster and would ensure a first-ever series win against the Boks for the visitors.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee stressed that it was crucial for his charges to “get the basics right” if they intend on having any chance of levelling the series ahead of the last of the three tests in Port Elizabeth next week.
“I know a lot of people expect a bit of running rugby. My philosophy is that if it’s on then it’s on. That is something we have worked on this week... but we are not going to play unnecessary if it is not on‚” said Coetzee.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies will get his first starting berth in the green and gold.
The pivot will partner with his provincial halfback partner Faf de Klerk. Expectation will be that the pair will ignite the same spark they have been showing for the Lions in Super Rugby.
“With Elton I know there will be a huge expectation for him to fire‚ that is the least I am expecting‚” cautioned Coetzee.
“I just want Elton to take control of the game and manage it well.
“That is the big thing about test match rugby‚ it’s not about hitting sixes‚ but I want Elton to play us into the right areas of the field. I expect him to beat the rush‚ to be clever‚ make good decisions when there is space at the back and to put the ball there.”
Bok captain Adriaan Strauss highlighted defence‚ the maul and breakdown as key areas that his side will target and want to improve this week.
“We need to be smart about the rush defence‚” said Strauss.
“We need to be better up front at maul time. That is an area we pride ourselves in and one we need to face up to.
“At the breakdown we gave away a lot of ball possession with silly mistakes. That area will be very important.”
The Irish will be hoping for the same cool headedness the youthful side showed last week
“I think everyone stepped up and took their opportunities last week. That is what international rugby is all about really. Especially some guys who do not have a whole lot of international experience – it’s great to see those guys growing‚” said Ireland No8 Jamie Heaslip.
“It’s great to see the guys come down here and not be fazed. They have a good head on their shoulders and are not getting carried away but are focused on the challenge that will be presented this weekend.”
Kickoff for the match will be at 5pm.
The teams are:
The Springboks:
Willie le Roux‚ JP Pietersen‚ Lionel Mapoe‚ Damian de Allende‚ Lwazi Mvovo‚ Elton Jantjies‚ Faf de Klerk‚ Duane Vermeulen‚ Siya Kolisi‚ Francois Louw‚ Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ Eben Etzebeth‚ Frans Malherbe‚ Adriaan Strauss‚ Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi‚ Trevor Nyakane‚ Julian Redelinghuys‚ Franco Mostert‚ Warren Whiteley‚ Rudy Paige‚ Morne Steyn‚ Ruan Combrinck.
Ireland:
Jared Payne‚ Andrew Trimble‚ Robbie Henshaw‚ Stuart Olding‚ Craig Gilroy‚ Paddy Jackson‚ Conor Murray‚ Jamie Heaslip‚ Rhys Ruddock‚ Iain Henderson‚ Quinn Roux‚ Devin Toner‚ Tadhg Furlong‚ Rory Best‚ Jack McGrath. Replacements: Richardt Strauss‚ David Kilcoyne‚ Finlay Bealham‚ Donnacha Ryan‚ Sean Reidy‚ Kieran Marmion‚ Ian Madigan‚ Tiernan O’Halloran.?
— TMG Digital
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