SPRINGBOK coach Heyneke Meyer named lock Eben Etzebeth in the starting lineup to face Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
But his body language suggested it was unlikely that the enforcer would play. Etzebeth has been struggling with a chest infection and is in a race against time to be fit for the Rugby Championship encounter.
Meyer named Flip van der Merwe to start alongside Etzebeth in the second row but should the latter fall out then Juandre Kruger will return to the starting lineup.
“Zane was the guy who was in the position last year and I know there is a perception that we want to play conservatively when he is the fullback but it isn’t true. Last year when he was fullback we scored five tries against Australia at Loftus Versfeld.
“Willie is an easy switch for Bjorn, because you want an attacking guy. He will have a lot of time to roam as well. This is an attacking backline.”
Explaining Van der Merwe’s elevation above Kruger, who is seen as a better lineout exponent, Meyer said the former brought different strengths to the game. Kruger had also come in late after club commitments in France.
“It’s a 50-50 because Juandre is good in lineouts and they are two different players with their own strengths,” the Bok coach said.
“Flip is growing as a five jumper and adds something different in the mauls. He is a strong scrummer, excellent ball carrier and very good defender. What you lose in the lineouts you gain in other areas.
“Juandre has flown a lot in the past week and also played a lot over the past few months. Adriaan is the same and I decided two weeks ago I wanted to give Adriaan a break.”
Springboks: Zane Kirchner; Willie le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juandre Kruger, Siya Kolisi, Jano Vermaak, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
Meyer takes Etzebeth gamble
SPRINGBOK coach Heyneke Meyer named lock Eben Etzebeth in the starting lineup to face Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
But his body language suggested it was unlikely that the enforcer would play. Etzebeth has been struggling with a chest infection and is in a race against time to be fit for the Rugby Championship encounter.
Meyer named Flip van der Merwe to start alongside Etzebeth in the second row but should the latter fall out then Juandre Kruger will return to the starting lineup.
“Zane was the guy who was in the position last year and I know there is a perception that we want to play conservatively when he is the fullback but it isn’t true. Last year when he was fullback we scored five tries against Australia at Loftus Versfeld.
“Willie is an easy switch for Bjorn, because you want an attacking guy. He will have a lot of time to roam as well. This is an attacking backline.”
Explaining Van der Merwe’s elevation above Kruger, who is seen as a better lineout exponent, Meyer said the former brought different strengths to the game. Kruger had also come in late after club commitments in France.
“It’s a 50-50 because Juandre is good in lineouts and they are two different players with their own strengths,” the Bok coach said.
“Flip is growing as a five jumper and adds something different in the mauls. He is a strong scrummer, excellent ball carrier and very good defender. What you lose in the lineouts you gain in other areas.
“Juandre has flown a lot in the past week and also played a lot over the past few months. Adriaan is the same and I decided two weeks ago I wanted to give Adriaan a break.”
Springboks: Zane Kirchner; Willie le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juandre Kruger, Siya Kolisi, Jano Vermaak, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
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