The coach of the national rugby team, Jacques Nienaber, has announced the squad of young and old players ahead of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in Australia. The Springboks will face Australia in two test matches in late August and early September. Nienaber’s boys are expected to take their anger out on Australia after being beaten by New Zealand 35-23 in a packed Ellis Park Stadium last Saturday. The Springboks were hoping to defeat New Zealand again after beating them 26-10 in the match at Mbombela Stadium on August 6.
Nienaber has made changes to the team that will meet Australia because he is looking for players who can help his team when they defend the world cup next year which they won in Japan in 2019. South Africa will play Australia on the 27th in Adelaide, followed by another match in Sydney on September 3.
“We always have a large number in our camps because we want to give many players the opportunity to play, we think this will help us in the world cup in France next year,” Nienaber said earlier this week. “Since we have a tour to Australia, we intend to take the same number of teammates as a world cup team squad. We have two groups; one will play against Australia and the other against Argentina.”
“This is the only way we can use the players we have now. Since we are trying to develop the players, we must give them opportunities to test themselves in the games because the world cup is approaching,” said the coach.
Canan Moodie is the only new player called up who has not played for the Springboks in place of the suspended Kurt-Lee Arendse. Bongi Mbonambi’s injury means that there is still hope for Joseph Dweba to play even though he did not appear in last week’s game.
“We were disappointed when we were beaten by New Zealand in the last game. We have to fight hard in the next four games because we want to win the cup. We know how Australia plays at home,” said Nienaber.
IPirates ibhale iincwadi zembali ngokutsha eMoses Mabhida Stadium!