Boks to rely on veteran know-how against Pumas

Jacques Nienaber hopes that surrounding his rookie half-back pairing with a host of grizzled veterans will provide the keys to unlocking an Argentina side whose grunt and flair have caused the Springboks a few problems over the years. 

Manie Libbok and Grant Williams have eight Test caps between them, with the latter making his first start for the Boks this Saturday at Ellis Park. However, rather than fret over whether they can cope with the helter-skelter of the Test game, Nienaber has impressed on both that he wants their natural talents to shine. 

“He has a role, yes, but there are things that make him special, and we want him to bring those to the game,” Nienaber said of the 27-year-old Sharks scrumhalf. Both are known to have an eye for a gap, and besides nifty footwork have excellent distribution skills. 

Williams and Libbok will have tons of experience on both sides. Six of the starting forward pack including captain Duane Vermeulen have played 60 or more Tests, while at inside centre Damian de Allende has 71 Tests' worth of experience and Willie le Roux, such an influential playmaker at fullback, 85.

“One of the strengths of the squad is the experience,” said Nienaber, “not just in the pack, but you also look at the guys coming off the bench.”

For Saturday, Nienaber has eschewed the 6-2 forwards/backs split that has been the norm for the Springboks, including in this year’s Rugby Championships, where it was in use for the first two matches against Australia and New Zealand. Instead, Faf de Klerk, Lukhanyo Am and Damian Willemse will provide craft off the bench. 

There are reasons - there’s the specific game plan for the Argentinians, which may involve more running than normal, while Nienaber is also wary of the aerial threat the Pumas pose. 

“We were found out a bit in our kicking game against New Zealand, which is out of character for us. That is a strength of Argentina too, they have a good contestable kicking game so we have to be better in that area.” 

Nienaber sought to address that by returning Kurt-Lee Arendse to the starting team in one of the four changes to the backline after the defeat in Auckland. Besides the halfbacks, Jesse Kriel will also partner De Allende in the midfield. 

Nienaber returned to his theme of game time management for the players, an important part of his selection policy for Saturday’s match. 

“We want to spread as many minutes across the squad,” he reiterated.

Nienaber will name the squad for the World Cup on August 8.