Victor Matfield has identified the Springbok he believes will deliver during the European leg of the Nations Championship.
Rassie Erasmus has named six uncapped players in his 37-man squad for the November Tests against Italy, France and Ireland, with experienced campaigners Deon Fourie, Eben Etzebeth, Handré Pollard, André Esterhuizen and Cheslin Kolbe ruled out through injury.
That leaves other senior Boks with an important role to play.
Speaking on the Rugby Rivals podcast, Matfield singled out No 8 Jasper Wiese and tighthead prop Wilco Louw as two forwards he expects to lead the charge.
Both Wiese and Louw featured in all four Tests of the world champions’ 3-1 series triumph against the All Blacks, with Wiese starting every match at No 8 and Louw starting three at tighthead prop as the Bok pack dominated.
“Jasper Wiese has been unbelievable for us this whole year,” said Matfield.
“We need him, especially if you look at all the other names [in the squad]. He’s one guy who really needs to carry, especially without a guy like Eben in that second row.”
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But it is Louw who the former Bok lock is backing to make the biggest impact in November.
“The South African guy who’s going to perform is Wilco Louw,” he said.
“It was actually unbelievable. The Stormers and the Sharks played against each other three weeks ago, and it was Wilco Louw and [Ntuthuko] Mchunu against Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit, and Wilco just killed them.
“So I think Wilco is looking forward to Ireland, he’s looking forward to France, and I just think he’s going to have such a big impact, especially on those wet fields.”
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Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post ‘He’s going to have such a big impact’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Victor Matfield has identified the Springbok he believes will deliver during the European leg of the Nations Championship.
The post ‘He’s going to have such a big impact’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
