The Springboks were dealt a blow ahead of their tour match against France on Saturday night when Jasper Wiese was ruled out under the new concussion rules, which meant that Kwagga Smith will start in Marseilles at No 8.
With Smith being elevated from the bench, Deon Fourie comes onto the bench for the Boks as they look to win their first tour match against the Six Nations champions. Wiese was initially named in the starting line-up on Tuesday.
“We were waiting on Jasper to pass the required concussion protocols, and given the late decision, we thought it made sense to select Deon on the bench,” Erasmus said.
While some may question why Evan Roos was not automatically put onto the bench, the Boks said the late change wasn’t something they foresaw, and Fourie’s versatility probably got him the nod.
“We didn’t foresee Jasper not being available, as we thought he had a very good chance to play. But this is the first time we encountered such a situation and with these concussion protocols I’m sure it will happen more going forward.
“We opted for Kwagga because he is an out-and-out No 8, and when we train, he is our second choice No 8. Over and above that he can cover a few positions.”
Final prep ?#Springboks #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/kDKvDSpnxh
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 11, 2022
The SA Rugby Director of Rugby also moved to explain why Cheslin Kolbe would be given the kicking duties even though he isn’t a frontline kicker.
“Sometimes when Morne Steyn plays, Chris Smith is kicking for goal. I’ve seen that sometimes when Elton Jantjies was playing for the Lions, another player would kick for goal,” said Erasmus.
“Sometimes there are small little things, it can be a kicking style. It’s not a case of us going during the game and taking the player off because he’s kicking badly and the other guy kicks. It is a considered and measured approach.
“When changes happen on the field, it’s not us as coaches who decide who kicks and who doesn’t kick. We don’t decide whether the team kicks for touch or for goal. It might be confidence, rhythm or just a small niggle.
“It’s us as adults working together. Hopefully when Cheslin slots five out of five, we will all be happy and say it was a good decision.”
Captain Siya Kolisi echoed his sentiments.
“He works hard on it. He’s got our backing, regardless of what happens,” said Kolisi.
“We know he’s going out there to give his ultimate best. We don’t want to leave the result up to him. We want to play well enough so that doesn’t become the issue.
“Next year, by this time, we would have had so many people who are able to kick at poles, so we would have been in this situation before. There is no pressure on Cheslin’s shoulders from us as a team. We just want him to play well and do what he always does. He will be fine, no matter what happens.”
Erasmus said France’s kicking game has been scrutinised and would form a big part of the Boks game on Saturday. Erasmus praised the French form under Fabien Galthie.
“They kick a lot, and they have a lot of belief in what they do. They also have a good coach and a young team that remains steady when things go well or not, so it is going to be a good test for us.”
Kolisi said the French physicality would be a major part of the match this weekend. “I think physicality is going to be the biggest aspect this weekend. Both teams are physical, and France, in particular, know what they are good at, and they do those things well. They also know how to impose their plan on opposition teams.
“We’ll certainly try to match that. The scrums and lineouts are going to be important aspects of this game, so it is going to be a tough match. France’s game plan has definitely changed over the years. They kick more and they save their energy to play in your half.
“They have strong forwards, so they have good set pieces, and they have everything one wants in a team. That said, we have also evolved as a side, and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them.
“Playing against France on their home patch a year before the World Cup is good for us all because everyone will get a taste of what it will be like next year,” said Kolisi.
“It’s going to be a massive game with the fourth ranked team playing against the second ranked team in the world, and as the Springboks we want to win every game and make the country proud. We may have lost last week’s test and the SA ‘A’ game, but there is pressure every week, and we need to adapt to it.”
#Springboks forced to make a late change as they prepare for a physical onslaught from France in Marseille tomorrow - more here: https://t.co/4W57EkNeCv ??#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/z90t0LYaOY
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 11, 2022