Mike Greenaway
SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus is considering recalling forgotten lock Nico Janse van Rensburg ahead of Saturday’s second Test against the Wallabies in Perth because of injury concerns in the position.
Janse van Rensburg, who currently plays for Montpellier, played a single Test for the Boks in 2021, against Argentina in the Rugby Championship, but Erasmus told reporters that the 30-year-old could get a call.
The Bok medical staff is evaluating the sudden injuries to RG Snyman and Ruan Nortjé late last week. Snyman was due to start the game but injured his foot on the Thursday and Nortjé was called into the side only to get injured in the captain’s run at the Suncorp Stadium.
The solution, at late notice, was to move Pieter-Steph du Toit into the second row and replace him on the flank with Ben-Jason Dixon, with Salmaan Moerat providing cover off the bench. All three players delivered excellent performances but Erasmus would want to move Du Toit back to his preferred position on the blindside flank for Saturday’s rematch.
That can only happen if one of Nortjé and Snyman recovers or Erasmus calls up a replacement lock. Other options Erasmus is considering are Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden, Munster’s Jean Kleyn and new Sharks recruit Jason Jenkins.
World Cup winner Kleyn would be a natural replacement but he is lacking match fitness after recovering recently from a long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Moerat said the Boks were thrilled that their plan came together sweetly in the 33-7 defeat of the Wallabies. The Boks were up 21-0 at half-time and the score flattered the home team.
The Boks would have run away with it in the last quarter had they not suffered three marginal yellow cards. Still, the five-tries-to-one victory was emphatic.
“It takes a special team effort to get a result like that, and every player came to the party,” Moerat said.
“Defensively, we were really up there, and the scoreline showed that at the end of the day. It was a special evening for us and we’ll enjoy it, but there’s another big one for us coming up in Perth.
“Australia will hit back at us,” Moerat warned.
“They are a well-coached side, with the experienced (coach) Joe Schmidt. He has brought a whole different dimension to the squad. So, it’s back to the drawing board to come up with new plans, and it should be another spectacle.”
Moerat was thrilled at his sudden elevation into the match 23 although it was at the cost of Snyman and Nortjé.
“It was unfortunate injuries to RG and Ruan so I got the call at the last minute and am grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “It’s always special to represent your country, no matter how it happens.”
Moerat said the atmosphere was special at the Suncorp Stadium because of the presence of thousands of expat South Africans.
“It was a good experience all week because of so many South Africans living in Brisbane,” he said. “It feels a bit like home and it was nice to interact with them.
“All in all, it has been a great experience in Australia, having all of them in the crowd, and I think we made them proud.”