Ross Cronjé pulls out of Bok side through illness

JOHANNESBURG — You have to feel for Ross Cronjé. After playing understudy to Faf de Klerk in the Lions team and battling to get the recognition he deserved, he finally got his Test start against France in Pretoria in June. He had a great debut, scoring a try and took that form into the second Test where he appeared to have made the number 9 jersey his own – until injury forced him out of the third Test against France, and again for the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Salta. He was back for the Test against Australia in Perth, but fate has dealt Cronjé another harsh blow as a stomach bug has laid him low on the eve of his 5th Test match. He’s the late change to the Bok side to play New Zealand on Saturday morning. The bookies have the All Blacks overwhelming favourites to thump the Boks by 19 points. – David O’Sullivan

From SA Rugby

Scrumhalf Ross Cronje has been withdrawn from the Springbok team to face the All Blacks on Saturday in Albany because of illness and is replaced by Francois Hougaard, who was initially named on the bench.

Rudy Paige is now the replacement scrumhalf for the important Castle Lager Rugby Championship match on Saturday at the QBE Stadium in Albany.

The Springboks have won five and drawn one Test so far this season, however, Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth said his side face their biggest challenge this weekend against the world champions.

MTN is the new headline sponsor for the Springboks.
MTN is the new headline sponsor for the Springboks.

“Despite our results so far this season, we know we will have to step up our game,” explained Etzebeth.

“A local rugby fan came up to me and said he thought the All Blacks versus Springbok games are probably the biggest in world rugby and I agree with him. Our matches are always massive, we know they’re our biggest competition and hopefully they feel the same about us.”

Meanwhile, Etzebeth added that he has embraced the captaincy since he took over the leadership from the injured Warren Whiteley.

“As a leader, I am even more competitive because your ambition for success is bigger,” explained the towering the 25-year-old lock, who will make his 61st Test appearance on Saturday.

The match kicks off at 09h35 SA time on Saturday and is live on SuperSport.

The revised Springbok side to face the All Blacks in Albany:

15. Andries Coetzee (Emirates Lions), 6 caps, 0 points
14. Raymond Rhule (Toyota Cheetahs), 6 caps, 5 points (1 try)
13. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), 22 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
12. Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Bulls), 32 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
11. Courtnall Skosan (Emirates Lions), 6 caps, 5 points (1 try)
10. Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions), 17 caps, 179 points (2 try, 32 conversions, 35 penalties)
9. Francois Hougaard (Worcester Warriors, England) 45 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
8. Uzair Cassiem (Toyota Cheetahs) 4 caps, 5 points (1 try)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks), 7 caps, 5 points (1 try)
6. Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
5. Franco Mostert (Emirates Lions), 12 caps, 0 points
4. Eben Etzebeth (captain, DHL Stormers), 60 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
3. Ruan Dreyer (Emirates Lions), 1 cap, 0 points
2. Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 8 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 93 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

Replacements:

16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 10 caps, 0 points
17. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 16 caps, 0 points
18. Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), 31 caps, 5 points (1 try)
19. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls), 30 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
20. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), 26 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
21. Rudy Paige (Vodacom Bulls), 8 caps, 5 points (1 tries)
22. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 20 caps, 188 points (2 tries, 29 conversions, 37 penalties, 3 drop goals)
23. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), 24 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Source: http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?category=sarugby/springboks&id=4129074

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