Nienaber's slick response: 'Is this a B-team? Ask Eben!'
REACTION: Every Springbok team selection is accompanied by plenty of emotive responses.
The matchday 23 to face Wales in the second Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday is no different.
Jacques Nienaber, in arguably one of his boldest moves since taking over as head coach from Rassie Erasmus in 2020, made wholesale changes to the starting team for the second outing in the three-match series.
Only one player, veteran lock Eben Etzebeth, remains in the starting XV from last week’s 32-29 win over Wales.
There are 14 changes to the run-on team – with flyhalf Handre Pollard, who returns to the squad after not featuring in the first Test, taking over the captaincy from Siyamthanda Kolisi.
Kurt-Lee Arendse (outside back) and Evan Roos (No 8), have been handed starts and will make the Test debuts.
Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop), Ruan Nortje (lock), Deon Fourie (utility forward) and Grant Williams (scrumhalf) could also make their debuts off the bench.
The changes are certainly very unlike Nienaber, who usually takes a very conservative approach in his selections.
However, the coach is confident his pre-planned gamble will pay off, as the Boks look to secure the series this weekend in Bloemfontein.
#⃣TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jacques Nienaber has dropped the biggest selection bombshell since he took over as head coach from Rassie Erasmus in 2020#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍@Springboks 🏅@WelshRugbyUnion 🐲#RSAvWAL 🇿🇦V🏴
🔗https://t.co/Wogh9aJkrC pic.twitter.com/jxuPtzYX71— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) July 5, 2022
“I’ve always said our main objective is to win and we have picked this side because we think they can beat Wales,” Nienaber said.
“Many would ask: ‘Why don’t you wrap up the Series and then give them a go in the last Test?’
“However, we want to see how these players perform under pressure.
“If you going to take them to World Cup, play them against New Zealand, they must perform under pressure. In a dead rubber, it doesn’t matter that much if you win or lose.
“Wales did not come here to compete, they came here to win the series and are now playing for survival. So that is going to be our challenge to face a fierce Welsh side.
“They are a team that can physically challenge you.
“However, I think the debutants can handle it.”
#SPOTLIGHT: Some big matches await the @Springboks in Europe!
🗣️ “We need to use every opportunity we can to give the players game time to develop our player combinations and build squad depth.” #rugby #news @BristolBears https://t.co/gCqy8XSVH2— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) July 5, 2022
When asked if it is suitable to label the side as a B-team, the coach said: “I don’t think I will take offence.
“However, I think Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard will take offence, and so would some of the other players.”
The coach explained: “If you look at France at the moment, it is not a B-side playing in Japan. There is some experience and there are players who have been left behind.
“Even when you look at Wales’ last Six Nations game against Italy, there were six or eight changes in that game and it’s not like they disrespected Italy.
“It was an opportunity for their management to look at some players and they are currently playing against us.
“So, we also want to tick a couple of boxes and I don’t think the changes are unique, it is quite common.”
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