The Boks want to play Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels more in the second leg of the Nations Championship, hence the selection of only two specialist hookers.
So says Rassie Erasmus, after selecting Wessels as Malcolm Marx’s back-up for Saturday’s clash against Italy in Turin.
Also able to cover at No 2, Van Staden was listed as a utility forward in Erasmus’ 37-man squad for the November Tests against the Azzurri, Ireland and France. Johan Grobbelaar was omitted.
Erasmus said the Boks have always been open with Grobbelaar, who started and scored in South Africa’s 42-38 defeat by the Wallabies on 27 September, about his situation.
TEAM: Rassie aims Bok big guns at Azzurri
He described the 11-Test rake as someone the Boks could take to a World Cup and said they know exactly what he offers, but did not want to take Grobbelaar on tour at the expense of Van Staden and Wessels’ game time.
“We were very honest in the conversations we always have with Grobbies; if I had to give the team man-of-the-year award to someone this year, it would be him,” Erasmus said on Monday.
“He was always in the team and worked his arse off to play, then a guy like Deon [Fourie] comes in and plays incredibly well against the All Blacks.
PLUS: Paulie D can play nine like Kwagga
“Still, Grobbies helps with the exercises and everything … Then he gets a lekker chance in Australia, but then we all play poorly in the game, and everyone gives us a hard time.
“We feel like we know 100% where Grobbies is,” the Bok coach added. “But we don’t want to put Grobbies on a tour and Marco doesn’t get a chance.
“We know that Grobbies is there, Grobbies can go to the World Cup, but we’re going to bring the other two hookers. That’s just the way it is.
“Grobbies doesn’t deserve not to be chosen.”
MORE: Rassie never listens to Salmaan ‘nonsense’
Photo: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
The post Why Grobbies good for World Cup, not tour appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Boks want to play Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels more in the second leg of the Nations Championship, hence the selection of only two specialist hookers.
The post Why Grobbies good for World Cup, not tour appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
