Boks name injured Du Plessis to face All Blacks
Prop Jannie du Plessis has been included in the South African team to
play the rampant All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday despite struggling
with a hamstring injury.
Coach Heyneke Meyer has made just two changes to the side that lost
to Australia last weekend, with Flip van der Merwe coming in for
suspended lock Eben Etzebeth and Francois Louw replacing Marcell Coetzee
on the flank.
"New Zealand are best in contesting at the breakdown. We decided to
go with Flo (Louw) because he's a specialist. It's a horses for courses
approach," Meyer said.
"Marcell has been very good this season and has played a lot of rugby
but in this match we feel he will be more useful as an impact option."
Meyer is confident Du Plessis, who has until Friday to prove his
fitness, will take the field.
The Springboks are limited in the props they can call on with Pat
Cilliers suffering from an elbow strain. Dean Greyling has been named on
the bench but is a preferred loosehead, "If Dean comes on it will be a
huge, huge test, especially against the best loosehead (Tony Woodcock)
in world rugby. But Dean has impact and he's fresh," said Meyer.
The 20-year-old Etzebeth was suspended for two weeks for headbutting
Wallaby lock Nathan Sharpe during the Springboks' 26-19 defeat but Meyer
said the experience of 17-Test van der Merwe would be important against
the world champion All Blacks.
"Even having an experienced pack is a tough challenge against the All
Blacks but we are excited," he said.
"I know people don't give us a chance but I believe this team is
growing. They will have to step up. I have confidence in the pack." The
All Blacks lead the Rugby Championship with 12 points after three wins
while South Africa are second on seven points followed by Australia
(four points) and Argentina (two).
The New Zealand team will be named on Thursday. AFP |