Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks have been through all the backline scenarios after naming a 7-1 bench for Saturday’s Test against Wales. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
The Bok ‘Nuclear Squad’ features hooker Bongi Mbonambi, props Zachary Porthen and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, lock Eben Etzebeth and loose forwards Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon and Kwagga Smith – with scrumhalf Cobus Reinach the lone backline replacement.
“Whenever we’ve gone with a 7-1 split, it’s usually Grant [Williams] or Cobus who give us cover in a lot of positions, especially with their pace,” said Stick on Friday.
“In this case, we’ve got someone like Cobus on the bench who can cover wing for us, and we’ve always been vocal about Kwagga as a backup too, especially with his skill set coming from sevens.”
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The Boks’ starting backline has Morne van den Berg at scrumhalf, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, Andre Esterhuizen and Damian de Allende in midfield, Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker on the wings, and Damian Willemse at fullback.
Stick said the coaches have planned for every contingency.
“The first two players who would cover the backline – if anything had to happen at wing or fullback – would be Cobus moving to wing and Canan shifting to fullback. We’ve been through all those scenarios during the week. Hopefully we won’t have more injuries, but everything in selection has been calculated and we’ll be ready.
“Siya [Kolisi] would probably be the very last option for us,” Stick joked, with the Bok captain sitting next to him. “Maybe we’d need four injuries before he gets to the backline!”
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Stick says the Bok coaches are using this Test to give opportunities while continuing long-term squad development towards the 2027 World Cup.
“It’s always nice to build squad depth. If you look at the players we’ve given opportunities over the past two years, guys like Ethan have come through as one of the biggest names. Edwill [van der Merwe] got an opportunity at the back and grabbed it with both hands, and Morne has come through as one of our nines.”
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He also singled out 21-year-old tighthead Zachary Porthen as a future Springbok star.
“He’s probably going to play a lot of Test matches. Very talented, very big for his age, and one thing I like about him is his brains. You don’t lead the Junior Boks if you don’t have proper brains over your shoulders.”
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Stick says the Boks are in a strong position two years out from the next World Cup.
“For us to build a squad while we’re still winning – no coach can complain about that.
“Some people say we’re peaking early, but for us it’s never about that. It’s about representing our country with everything we’ve got.
“If we can keep winning while we’re building for 2027, happy days.”
Photo: Kian Abdullah/Gallo Images
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