SPRINGBOKS: Moodie at centre, Mostert at lock for key All Black clash
August 21, 2023
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has named his team for Friday’s the Test against New Zealand, a match that is South Africa’s final warm up game ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The team, which will be led by fit-again skipper Siya Kolisi, shows a number of interesting positional switches. Most notably winger Canan Moodie starts at outside centre while Franco Mostert will lock the scrum with Eben Etzebeth.
Mostert, who began his career as a lock has been utilized on the side of the scrum since before the last World Cup campaign.
Mercurial utility back Damian Willemse, who’s outing against Wales on the weekend ended prematurely after an illegal tackle will start at full back, while big Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen also gets a run.
As has become the norm for the Springboks the bench features six forwards and two backs.
Commenting on the team Nienaber said: “Our objective since the beginning of the season was to strike a balance between performance and managing player load with only six Test matches to get ready for the World Cup, and we are pleased with the way we have developed in that regard.
“In the last five matches we’ve given everyone, with the exception of the injured players, valuable game time, which is vital going into the World Cup, and we are satisfied with the way we have been building as a team.
“The All Blacks will provide a different challenge to Wales, and we believe this group of players is the right mix for this match.
“New Zealand play a high-tempo game, and they turn on the intensity from the starting whistle as they showed in Auckland, so it’s vital that we start well this week.
“We took the lessons from that match, and we’ve built good momentum since, so this will be a fantastic test before we enter our Rugby World Cup campaign.”
The final warm-up game will be played at London’s Twickenham Stadium on Friday night. A sellout crowd of almost 80000 people is expected.
“The rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks is one of the most intense in world rugby, so it’s a great way for us to wrap up our warm-up matches before heading to France for the World Cup.
“This match may be on neutral ground, but we expect it to be as epic as every other Test between the teams. They are a quality team with several playmakers and physical forwards, and they’ll give everything on Friday.
“We know what to expect and what we need to do to work our way into a position to get the desired result, so as a team we need to be ready mentally and physically.”
Springbok Team:Â 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Willie le Roux
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SPRINGBOKS: Moodie at centre, Mostert at lock for key All Black clash
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has named his team for Friday’s the Test against New Zealand, a match that is South Africa’s final warm up game ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The team, which will be led by fit-again skipper Siya Kolisi, shows a number of interesting positional switches. Most notably winger Canan Moodie starts at outside centre while Franco Mostert will lock the scrum with Eben Etzebeth.
Mostert, who began his career as a lock has been utilized on the side of the scrum since before the last World Cup campaign.
Mercurial utility back Damian Willemse, who’s outing against Wales on the weekend ended prematurely after an illegal tackle will start at full back, while big Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen also gets a run.
As has become the norm for the Springboks the bench features six forwards and two backs.
Commenting on the team Nienaber said: “Our objective since the beginning of the season was to strike a balance between performance and managing player load with only six Test matches to get ready for the World Cup, and we are pleased with the way we have developed in that regard.
“In the last five matches we’ve given everyone, with the exception of the injured players, valuable game time, which is vital going into the World Cup, and we are satisfied with the way we have been building as a team.
“The All Blacks will provide a different challenge to Wales, and we believe this group of players is the right mix for this match.
“New Zealand play a high-tempo game, and they turn on the intensity from the starting whistle as they showed in Auckland, so it’s vital that we start well this week.
“We took the lessons from that match, and we’ve built good momentum since, so this will be a fantastic test before we enter our Rugby World Cup campaign.”
The final warm-up game will be played at London’s Twickenham Stadium on Friday night. A sellout crowd of almost 80000 people is expected.
“The rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks is one of the most intense in world rugby, so it’s a great way for us to wrap up our warm-up matches before heading to France for the World Cup.
“This match may be on neutral ground, but we expect it to be as epic as every other Test between the teams. They are a quality team with several playmakers and physical forwards, and they’ll give everything on Friday.
“We know what to expect and what we need to do to work our way into a position to get the desired result, so as a team we need to be ready mentally and physically.”
Springbok Team:Â 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Willie le Roux