VIDEO: Bok coaches scratching their heads after thumping Wallabies
REACTION: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said a number of players have played themselves into contention for next weekend’s Test against the All Blacks after thumping the Wallabies on Saturday.
The Boks outscored their opponents by six tries to two on their way to a 43-12 victory in Round One of the Rugby Championship in Pretoria.
The win is even more impressive considering that the Boks were without a number of first-choice players, who flew to New Zealand earlier in the week to prepare for that All Blacks clash.
Players like Marco van Staden, Jean Kleyn and Andre Esterhuizen were outstanding in the victory over the Wallabies and have been included in a 21-man group that will join their teammates in New Zealand.
The story continues below…
Kurt-Lee Arendse also produced a man-of-the-match performance with his three tries against the Wallabies.
“The result is a good foundation for us to build on,” Stick told reporters after the match.
“The more competition we get amongst our players the better it is for us and that is what you need in a World Cup year.
“Now we are scratching our heads.”
Stick added: “If you go back to 2011, the All Blacks won the World Cup with their fourth choice flyhalf [Stephen Donald], so the more depth we build in our squad the better it is for us as a coaching staff.
“Once again anything can happen.”
Judging from Stick’s comments after the game, Van Staden could get another starting role.
“We have got Siya [Kolisi] who is currently injured at the moment who is doing his rehab, but if you look at a guy like Marco van Staden, he had a massive game.
“We haven’t selected the team for the All Blacks, even though those [other] guys are in New Zealand at the moment.
“I can tell you now, you will see some of the guys that played against the Wallabies also playing in that game [against the All Blacks].
“Some of them might even be starting.”
