Breakdown holds key: Inexperienced Boks to battle against heavyweights

There are so many battles both internal and external raging for the Springboks that it’s hard to tell which is the most important when they take on Wales at the Millennium Stadium today.

Captain Adriaan Strauss, playing his 66th and final Test and leading the most inexperienced Springbok team since 1994, has pinpointed the breakdown as the key to the match.

Wales are without fetcher-in-chief Sam Warburton for this clash but with Justin Tipuric deputising the home team will hardly be hampered in that crucial area of the game.

The breakdown has been an area of weakness for the Boks on this tour because they have no recognised openside flank in their squad. Nizaam Carr will again wear the No6 jersey even though Italy’s Simone Favaro dominated that contest during last week’s 20-18 victory for the Azzurri.

Strauss admitted Warburton’s absence was unlikely to change the fact the Boks have to gain parity in that discipline or face a record eighth defeat in a calendar year.

“Wales are especially good at the breakdown and they make excellent decisions there,” Strauss said.

“They usually get quick ball and from there create momentum to open up gaps in the defence and create scoring opportunities.

“They spoil the ball too but they do it constructively and within the law. It’s an area we have sort out and ensure we get quick ball.

“Warburton is a great player but regardless we have to focus on what we need to do. We have lost against ourselves so many times this year, so picking out individuals who are playing or not playing, or what the conditions are, is not going to help us.

“We need to sort out the breakdown and be efficient in that area. We have to play constructive rugby, play in the right areas and then attack with intent.”

To that end coach Allister Coetzee has cleaved experience from the squad, opting for four new caps in the 23.

Wing Jamba Ulengo, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and flank Uzair Cassiem all start, with looseforward Jean-Luc du Preez set for a cap from the bench.

The coach has also turned to the Lions halfback pairing for Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies, who have played a great deal of rugby alongside Janse van Rensburg, to ignite their attack.

With seven defeats in 11 Tests so far in 2016, if the Boks lose an eighth, it would be the worst return in the history of Springbok rugby and could spell the end of Coetzee’s brief coaching tenure.

There is an air of desperation in Coetzee’s selection and with a backline boasting only 40 caps between them it’s hard to imagine how they can compete with a Welsh back division filled with 335 caps worth of experience.

The element of surprise could work for the Boks and Janse van Rensburg’s ability to get over the gainline could give the Boks crucial momentum for quick ball.

But with 12 changes to the 23 and seven to the starting lineup, lack of cohesion is sure to hamper the Springboks and when the pressure comes on, as it inevitably will, the mental fortitude of such a callow team will be tested.

Coetzee has gambled with this selection and understandably so considering nothing has previously worked either.

It might work out, or it might end in another chastening defeat. Wales have only beaten the Boks twice in 31 outings but they have never gone into a match against the Boks as favourites, let alone such overwhelming favourites.

The Springboks should lose and it could be by a large margin, which would heap even more pressure on the beleaguered coach.

Teams:

Wales: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-George North, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Scott Williams, 11-Liam Williams, 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Gareth Davies, 8-Ross Moriarty, 7-Justin Tipuric, 6-Dan Lydiate, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 4-Luke Charteris, 3-Tomas Francis, 2-Ken Owens, 1-Gethin Jenkins (captain). Replacements: 16-Scott Baldwin, 17-Nicky Smith, 18-Samson Lee, 19-Cory Hill, 20-Taulupe Faletau, 21-Lloyd Williams, 22-Sam Davies, 23-Jamie Roberts

Springboks: 15-Johan Goosen, 14-Ruan Combrinck, 13-Francois Venter, 12-Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11-Jamba Ulengo, 10-Elton Jantjies, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Warren Whiteley, 7-Uzair Cassiem, 6-Nizaam Carr, 5-Lood de Jager, 4-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3-Lourens Adriaanse, 2-Adriaan Strauss (capt), 1-Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: 16-Malcolm Marx, 17-Steven Kitshoff, 18-Trevor Nyakane, 19-Franco Mostert, 20-Jean-Luc du Preez, 21-Piet van Zyl, 22-Pat Lambie, 23-Lionel Mapoe.