Flying wing Ruan Combrinck, after his dream debut for the Boks in Johannesburg last week, gets another chance to shine when he makes a much-anticipated start in the rugby Test series-decider against Ireland in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.
Combrinck sparked a ferocious revival with a dazzling try last weekend – and an expected 43000 capacity crowd will be expecting more magic from the speedster at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Lions wing is one of two changes to the Springbok starting line-up for their “cup final” showdown against an Ireland outfit chasing a first series win in South Africa.
Fellow Lions player Warren Whiteley replaces the experienced Duane Vermeulen at number eight (elbow injury), while wing Combrinck, gets starting nod over Lwazi Mvovo, who moves to the bench.
Explaining the decision to elevate the Lions’s wing, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said: “I have always said where I can make a tactical change that would benefit the team I would do that.
“Bringing in Combrinck into the sides gives us another right-footed kicker which we don’t have. It has been noted that Ireland have been kicking down that left touchline .
“So Combrinck gives us that right-footed opportunity and, secondly, he brings us an additional goal-kicker from 50m out. On top of that he has shown great form last week.”
Coetzee said he expected Ireland to test his team across the field.
“There will be contests and little battles and we expect that. This is the end of the Irish season basically and they will come hard.
“They know there is one chance to clinch the series, but we are well prepared. We also have our own motivation and ambitions. We’re up for any test that will be thrown our way this weekend.
“Whether it is tactically or in the physicality stakes or in the set- piece battles. There will be something new from the Irish because they are quite a clever coaching group. But we are prepared.”
An ankle injury has ruled out prop Trevor Nyakane, and his place among the reserves is filled by the uncapped Steven Kitshoff.
He is joined on the bench by another uncapped player, Jaco Kriel, who comes into the match-day squad for the first time during the series.
“Jaco has been close to selection every time and he now gets his chance in the match-day squad. Steven has worked extremely hard since we got together as a team and he also has an opportunity to show his promise should he take to the field,” said Coetzee.
“We know what is at stake on Saturday.
“ It is a matter of winner-takes- all scenario. This group of players will continue to grow together as a team and Saturday they have the opportunity to gain more experience by playing together.”
Prop Tendai Mtawarira is the most experienced player in the side with 77 Tests to his credit.
He is three Tests short of Os du Randt’s record of 80 Tests at prop for South Africa.
Three other players in the side – captain Adriaan Strauss with 56, Morné Steyn with 61 and JP Pietersen with 68 – have also played more than 50 Tests for South Africa.
If he comes on at flyhalf, Morne Steyn will extend his own record of 59 appearances in this position for the Springboks.
He is currently on 694 points and can become only the second player in history to score more than 700 Test points for South Africa.
Ruan set to spark up Bok engine
Combrinck sparked a ferocious revival with a dazzling try last weekend – and an expected 43000 capacity crowd will be expecting more magic from the speedster at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Lions wing is one of two changes to the Springbok starting line-up for their “cup final” showdown against an Ireland outfit chasing a first series win in South Africa.
Fellow Lions player Warren Whiteley replaces the experienced Duane Vermeulen at number eight (elbow injury), while wing Combrinck, gets starting nod over Lwazi Mvovo, who moves to the bench.
Explaining the decision to elevate the Lions’s wing, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said: “I have always said where I can make a tactical change that would benefit the team I would do that.
“Bringing in Combrinck into the sides gives us another right-footed kicker which we don’t have. It has been noted that Ireland have been kicking down that left touchline .
“So Combrinck gives us that right-footed opportunity and, secondly, he brings us an additional goal-kicker from 50m out. On top of that he has shown great form last week.”
Coetzee said he expected Ireland to test his team across the field.
“There will be contests and little battles and we expect that. This is the end of the Irish season basically and they will come hard.
“They know there is one chance to clinch the series, but we are well prepared. We also have our own motivation and ambitions. We’re up for any test that will be thrown our way this weekend.
“Whether it is tactically or in the physicality stakes or in the set- piece battles. There will be something new from the Irish because they are quite a clever coaching group. But we are prepared.”
An ankle injury has ruled out prop Trevor Nyakane, and his place among the reserves is filled by the uncapped Steven Kitshoff.
He is joined on the bench by another uncapped player, Jaco Kriel, who comes into the match-day squad for the first time during the series.
“Jaco has been close to selection every time and he now gets his chance in the match-day squad. Steven has worked extremely hard since we got together as a team and he also has an opportunity to show his promise should he take to the field,” said Coetzee.
“We know what is at stake on Saturday.
“ It is a matter of winner-takes- all scenario. This group of players will continue to grow together as a team and Saturday they have the opportunity to gain more experience by playing together.”
Prop Tendai Mtawarira is the most experienced player in the side with 77 Tests to his credit.
He is three Tests short of Os du Randt’s record of 80 Tests at prop for South Africa.
Three other players in the side – captain Adriaan Strauss with 56, Morné Steyn with 61 and JP Pietersen with 68 – have also played more than 50 Tests for South Africa.
If he comes on at flyhalf, Morne Steyn will extend his own record of 59 appearances in this position for the Springboks.
He is currently on 694 points and can become only the second player in history to score more than 700 Test points for South Africa.
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