If the Springboks are feeling demoralized after a draw and two successive Test losses on their end-of-year tour, it’s worth remembering that Wales are feeling under pressure after just pipping Argentina and nearly losing to Japan in their past two Test outings. To be fair, it was an experimental Welsh team that was pushed hard by the Japanese, and coach Rob Howley has gone back to the team that took on Argentina two weeks ago. Dan Lydiate comes in for the injured Sam Warburton as Wales prepare for a physical encounter against South Africa. The inclusion of the bustling, bulky Rohan Janse van Rensburg might be two Tests overdue, but he’s finally made it into the Springbok side for Saturday’s Test and will provide the much-needed physicality in the back-line. The plan to out-muscle the opposition hasn’t worked against England and Italy. Can it work against Wales? – David O’Sullivan
From Sport24
Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo and Uzair Cassiem will make their Springbok debuts against Wales in the Principality Stadium on Saturday, while a fourth uncapped player, Jean-Luc du Preez, has been included on the bench for the final match of the 2016 tour.
Strongly-built inside centre Janse van Rensburg, who takes over from Damian de Allende in a rotational switch, and winger Ulengo, who is in for Bryan Habana, are part of a reshuffled backline announced by Springbok coach Allister Coetzee on Thursday.
Both Janse van Rensburg and Ulengo played for South Africa in the international match against the Barbarians three weeks ago at Wembley Stadium in London, but will now become officially capped Springboks.
Cassiem, who didn’t feature against the BaaBaas, will also get his Test debut after Willem Alberts was ruled out because of a neck niggle.
A new-look backline also sees the return of Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf) and Elton Jantjies (flyhalf) as halfback combination, while there is a further change at fullback, with Johan Goosen named to start in the No 15 jersey.
In the other change upfront, Lourens Adriaanse comes in at tighthead in place of Vincent Koch, which means that 14 players who will be based in South Africa for Super Rugby in 2017 will start against Wales, with a further seven on the bench.
It's very difficult to watch the #Springboks. Yet another loss. Don't even play Wales next week, call it quits for 2016 #ITAvRSA
— Marlize (@marlize_c) November 19, 2016
Coetzee said the revamped side was picked as result of a combination of factors. Apart from rotational changes and injuries, some of the selections were made with the building process towards 2019 in mind. The total amount of caps amongst the backs are 40, the lowest amount since 1994.
“We have a less experienced team, but I want to see some energy and an improved performance. Our selection is also keeping in mind of the process and necessity to build towards 2019,” said Coetzee.
“Uzair was impressive during our domestic competitions and he was man of the match in the Currie Cup final. He made a good impression during the build-up to the Barbarians match and has continued to work hard on this tour since re-joining us.
“Jamba, Uzair and Rohan are examples of players who have forced their way into the squad through consistently performing well on the domestic scene and during training on tour, and now they are getting their opportunities to play for the Boks. Even though Damian played well against England and Italy we felt Rohan deserved an opportunity.
Would have loved to see Lionel Mapoe at No 13 next to Rohan Janse van Rensburg. They had a great understanding in Super Rugby.
— IG: johngoliath (@JohnGoliath82) November 24, 2016
Regarding the change in the front row, the coach added: “Lourens played well whenever he was selected and he too deserves his opportunity.”
Regarding the challenge of facing Wales at home in front of a passionate crowd of 75 000 at the Principality Stadium, Coetzee said he expects another huge battle between the two sides.
“Recent matches between us have always delivered close fought battles and small point margins and I expect more of the same on Saturday,” said Coetzee. – Sport24
Teams:
Wales
15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins (captain)
Substitutes: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Jamie Roberts
South Africa
15 Johan Goosen, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lionel Mapoe
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/coetzee-rolls-dice-with-4-debutants-20161124
