Bok changes add to line-out woes
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The Springboks made three changes to their starting XV, with two of them affecting the line-out structures – which already appeared weak in Pretoria last week.
The line-out has long been a strength of the Boks, and a lot of this dominance in the set pieces can be attributed to the maestro that is Victor Matfield.
The veteran lock was sorely missed last weekend when the Boks' line-out struggled, in albeit poor conditions, against the Argentineans at Loftus Versfeld.
Matfield will not be on hand this time round either, with Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer opting to put his line-out faith in the untried trio of Eben Etzebeth, Lodedwyk de Jager and veteran flank Juan Smith.
"There are three new guys in the line-outs who haven't played together," Meyer said after naming his match-day squad for Saturday.
"It is a huge challenge, because it is a short turn around and we don't have a lot of time to train in the line-outs.
"I still was not happy with line-outs yesterday [Tuesday] in training – so it is frustrating, but I have to look at the positives."
One of the positives that Meyer is finding is that he is getting a chance to blood new players and test combinations heading into the World Cup in England next year.
"We are now building an unbelievably good squad for the World Cup," Meyer said brightly.
"It is going to be very difficult to pick 30 players."
Meyer has stated that the Springboks' line-outs last week were poor, putting it down the the scarcity of a No.5 [line-out calling] lock.
I was not happy with our line-outs [last weekend] – it was my first criticism when we watched the game back," the coach continued.
"I have always said we are struggling at No.5 lock and even through Lodewyk [De Jager] is an unbelievable player, you can see when Victor [Matfield] is not there we need some experience."
Meyer has opted to provide the line-out experience from veteran flank Juan Smith who is making an unbelievable comeback to rugby.
"Juan Smith is a very good line-out option, very experienced," Meyer said.
"This gives us a chance to see what Eben, Lood and Juan can do together in the line-outs."
De Jager will be pairing up with Etzebeth for the first time with these youngsters touted as the future for the Springbok second row.
"This will also be the first time these two youngsters [De Jager and Etzebeth] play together and although Lood is still a No.4 lock I think he will be a brilliant No.5 lock and I can't wait to see him go with Eben.
"We need good line-out ball, we score a lot of our tries from line-outs, and last week we were not happy.
"We need to make a step up there," the coach concluded.
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