VIDEO: Willemse has the freedom to produce his 'circus tricks'
In a team showing nine changes, there will be plenty to digest, but the most significant selection for South Africa – ahead of their return match against Australia in Sydney on Saturday – is Damian Willemse at flyhalf.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was forced to name a revamped backline – with five changes in the starting XV among the backs.
With two flyhalves, Handre Pollard (knee) and Elton Jantjies (hand), injured in last week’s loss to the Wallabies, Willemse was moved from fullback to flyhalf.
Willie le Roux returns to start at No.15.
Another backline change will see Jesse Kriel start at outside centre, with midfield star Lukhanyo Am also ruled out with a knee injury.
The two changes not related to injury in the backline are talented Bulls utility back Canan Moodie starting ahead of Warrick Gelant on the right wing and Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf in place of Francois de Klerk.
Nienaber said he was looking forward to seeing how the 76-Test veteran, Le Roux, and the relative ‘green’ flyhalf Willemse (21 internationals, but in his first Test start in the No.10 jersey) can combine.
“It is unfortunate for the two guys who were injured,” Nienaber said of Pollard and Jantjies, adding that they will have a better picture of the extent of the two flyhalves’ afflictions.
“It is fortunate that it affords Damian an opportunity [to start],” he said of the 24-year-old – who had nine starts, all at fullback, and 12 matches off the bench.
He played in the No.10 jersey in the second half of the 32-29 win in the first Test against Wales last month – moving from fullback to flyhalf, in place of Jantjies, after the break in the Loftus Versfeld outing.
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“I am looking forward to seeing him there [No.10] again and that combination between him and Willie [le Roux].”
The Bok coach added that Willemse brings a ‘specific skillset’ to the game at flyhalf and that he won’t be inhibited by the game plan.
“He must bring that skillset to the game,” Nienaber said, adding: “We do have a game plan.
“However, the player must bring his own ‘circus tricks’ to the party – that which he [Willemse] is good at and that is what we are expecting of Damian.”
The cover off the bench is two-time World Cup winner Frans Steyn, who will be back-up as flyhalf and centre.
“We always select a team we think would be best for this match, given that we have several players out with injuries and with an eye on how we want to play,” Nienaber added.
“With both flyhalves injured, Damian was the natural choice at No.10.
“He is also becoming a settled player in our team with over 20 Test caps to his name.”
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