Ethan Hooker says the calming influence of experienced Springboks Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende has given him and his fellow youngsters the belief to back themselves. MORNE ESBEN reports.
The 21-year-old Sharks flyer will make his first Test start in just his third appearance for South Africa when he runs out on the left wing as part of a reshuffled backline.
Rassie Erasmus has backed youth for the Freedom Cup decider, handing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu the No 10 jersey to steer the attack in a backline brimming with talent but light on Test caps.
BOK TEAM: Hooker gets first Test start, SFM at 10
Hooker said the energy in the group is high, with the new-look backs eager to show what they can bring on attack.
“Everyone’s a bit edgy. Everyone’s really keen to get onto the pitch and just express themselves.
“The combinations have been working really well in training, the guys are linking up and we’re not really feeling any pressure. We feel like we can express ourselves and I think it’s a really good positive to take into this weekend.”
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That confidence, he explained, comes in no small part from two of the most seasoned backs in the squad.
“I think we’re very privileged to have people like Jesse and Damian in the team. They’ve calmed us down quite a lot. We’ve been training with them for a couple of months now and learning from them, so they do give us a lot of confidence going onto the pitch,” Hooker said.
“We do try to play without fear and I think we go out and try to express ourselves just like anyone else. But having people like Damian and Jesse – they really do help to just narrow that and channel it into the weekend.”
MALLETT: No need for Boks to panic
As for his own milestone, Hooker insists the best approach is to strip away the occasion and focus on doing his job.
“The game of rugby is just a game of rugby. I’ve been playing since I was 10 years old. Once you get on that pitch, the caps become irrelevant. You just focus on your job and do your job to the best of your ability and express what you have.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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