Jaden over Faf: Jacques reveals his reasons
REACTION: Current form and not past performances played a role in the selection of the team for the decisive third Test between South Africa and Wales in Cape Town on Saturday.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made 11 changes to his starting line-up, as Eben Etzebeth earns his 100th Test cap and Mbongeni Mbonambi his 50th.
Nienaber named a new-look backline featuring the versatile Damian Willemse at fullback, with Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi back on the wings, while the regular centre pairing of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am will again partner up in the midfield.
The Bok coach retained the halfback pairing of Handre Pollard and Jaden Hendrikse in the backline, while regular Bok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi reclaims the captaincy in a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit (flank) and Jasper Wiese (No.8).
The other changes up front see Lodewyk de Jager pair up with Etzebeth in the second row, while Nienaber named a new front row of props Trevor Nyakane and Frans Malherbe on either side of Mbonambi, who made his debut off the bench against Ireland in June 2016 and will become the 45th Bok to reach half a century of Test caps.
However, it is the selection of rookie Jaden Hendrikse ahead of Francois de Klerk at scrumhalf that raised the eyebrows.
Nienaber said “form” was the decisive factor.
Leading off with an expected cliche: ‘We all know what Faf brings’, he spoke about the benching of the experienced World Cup-winning No.9.
However, the coach suggested ‘form’ was the overriding factor in naming a 22-year-old rookie ahead of the 30-year-old, 37-times capped veteran.
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“But we all saw Jaden’s performance last weekend,” he said of Hendrikse’s showing in the 12-13 loss to Wales in Bloemfontein – which was his first Test start, after twice playing off the bench, against Argentina in two Rugby Championship outings last year.
“As a coaching group and selectors we thought he performed well,” Nienaber said.
The coach spoke of the ‘competition’ in the 42-man squad for the Wales series.
“There are many in-form players knocking hard on the door.
“I think for the players – who you would call the established players, the guys who have won a World Cup and a British & Irish Lions series – it’s key for them to focus on their performance week in and week out.
“For the other guys, if they perform well and knock on the door, that’s the way they get selected.”
He said he expects De Klerk will react in a positive way to being dropped to the bench.
“Jaden will know that Faf will come hard for him to get his spot back,” Nienaber said, adding: “He [De Klerk] is a fighter.
“His [Hendrikse’s] challenge now is to keep putting consistent performances in like he did on the weekend.”
The coach was full of praise for Hendrikse, despite the obvious lack of experience and big match opportunities.
“I thought he had a well-balanced game,” Nienaber said of the rookie scrumhalf.
“I thought he had a good kicking game, his passing accuracy was really good and he got nice rhythm on our attack.
“His defence was strong and all aspects of his game were very good.”
The 22-year-old Hendrikse, who will play in his fourth Test, was trying to stay grounded and focused on the task.
“If the coaches back me, then I’m going in with a simple plan to do my basics well and do what the team needs to help them win,” he said.
“There is a bit of nerve, but once it comes closer to the game and once I do the first play, the nerves will go away, and then I just have to execute my job.
“For me, it’s just about trying to be myself and do what I can do and provide for the team.”
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