Connect with us

International Rugby

NEWS: Willemse to start at fullback as Nienaber names team to face Wales

Stormers star Damian Willemse has been handed a start at fullback as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber revealed his team to take on Wales at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Damian Willemse
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Stormers star Damian Willemse has been handed a start at fullback as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber revealed his team to take on Wales at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The inclusion of Willemse at No 15 sees the Boks’ regular fullback, Willie le Roux, drop to the bench in what could signal a changing of the guard at that position.

Meanwhile, lock Salmaan Moerat and utility forward Elrigh Louw are in line to make their Springbok debuts after being named on the replacements bench.

Along with Willemse’s inclusion, Elton Jantjies has been preferred at flyhalf, as Handre Pollard was a late arrival to the team from France after helping Montpellier win the Top 14 competition.

Otherwise, the backline is full of familiar faces in wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, centres Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk.

In the front row, Frans Malherbe and Ox Nché will pack down on either side of hooker Bongi Mbonambi, while Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager will join forces at lock.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will form a loose trio with Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese.

Nienaber opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench, with scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and veteran fullback Willie le Roux providing cover among the backs, while the forwards comprise the impactful front row of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch, Moerat, Louw and versatile loose forward Kwagga Smith.

Surprisingly, there was no place for the URC’s Player of the Season, Evan Roos, with the likes of Louw and Smith preferred, most likely for their added versatility.

“We have a talented group of players, and we believe the matchday squad we selected ticks the boxes in terms of what we would like to achieve in the opening Test against Wales,” said Nienaber.

“We have the added advantage of having several players that are quite versatile, so a guy like Damian Willemse for example can cover flyhalf and centre in addition to fullback, while Kwagga covers each of the loose forward positions and can even slot in at wing with his Blitzbok experience.

“Franco also gives us options at loose forward and lock, so we look forward to seeing what this team can produce on Saturday.”

On the prospective debuts for Moerat and Louw, the coach added: “Salmaan was with us on our tour to the UK last season, and despite being so young he brings a different sense of experience as a former Junior Springbok and SA Schools captain, while Elrigh also featured in a World Rugby U20 Championship and has been playing senior provincial rugby for a while.

“Unfortunately, with such a big squad there will always be a few unlucky players, but it is a fine balancing act to ensure we win Tests, build squad depth, and transform as a team in the way we play.

“We have a plan for the season in terms of giving some of the young players a chance to show what they can do at international level, while at the same time taking stock of the seasoned campaigners and where they are in terms of their rugby.

“This is a long season with the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, the year-end tour where we are also hoping to play a few SA ‘A’ games, while we are also looking further ahead to next year’s Rugby World Cup.”

Springbok team to face Wales in Pretoria

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements

16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Willie le Roux

Register Now with Hollywoodbets Mobile

More in International Rugby