Erasmus throws young guns into battle
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a young and very inexperienced to face Wales in the first Test of the year.
Lock Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain a team featuring seven uncapped players in the starting line-up for the encounter in Washington DC on Saturday.
The Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is just 134.
Du Toit (lock) will lead South Africa for the first time when they take on the Welsh in this one-off international, which falls outside the Test window.
The seven players in the starting team who will be making their debut in the United States capital are Travis Ismaiel and Makazole Mapimpi (wings), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), Ivan van Zyl (scrumhalf), Albertus Smith (flank), Jason Jenkins (lock) and Retshegofaditswe Nche (prop).
A further six players with no Test experience were included on the bench – Armand van der Merwe (hooker), Thomas du Toit (prop), Marvin Orie (lock), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward), Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) and Robert du Preez (flyhalf).
If Du Preez comes on as a substitute, it will be the first time in SA history that there will be a set of a Springbok father with three Springbok sons – Robert (snr), Jean-Luc, Dan and Robert (jnr).
The three Du Preez sons will also become the fourth set of three Springbok brothers.
Erasmus has opted for an experienced core of players – Jesse Kriel (centre), Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Teboho Mohoje (flank), Du Toit (lock) and Mahlatse Ralepelle (hooker) – to provide the necessary calmness and guidance.
He said he is looking forward to see the Springboks take one of Europe’s most powerful sides.
“As coaches, we are tremendously excited about the prospect of seeing some of our best young players getting the opportunity to play at this level,” Erasmus said.
Wales had the upper hand over the Springboks in their last two encounters, both played in Cardiff, and according to Erasmus, the Welsh will be especially motivated to continue with that trend.
“Wales have a very solid and effective kicking strategy and their cohesive forward and set-piece play are some of their main strong points. However, I do believe that we have picked a match-day squad that will be able to compete very strongly,” added Erasmus.
South Africa: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Warrick Gelant.
Date: Saturday, June 2
Venue: Robert F Kennedy Stadium, Washington
Kick-off: 17.00 (23.00 SA time; 22.00 UK time; 21.00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Alexandre Ruiz (France), Frank Murphy (Ireland)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)
Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain a young Springbok team featuring seven uncapped players in the starting line-up against the @WelshRugbyUnion at 23h00 on Saturday evening (SA time) in Washington DC. @USARugby #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/dwMEfTSywF
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) May 30, 2018
