Rassie Erasmus says Morné van den Berg has earned the opportunity to wear the Springbok No 9 jersey in Baltimore on Saturday.
The 28-year-old is one of only two changes to the starting XV for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider against the All Blacks, replacing Cobus Reinach, who drops to the bench.
Van den Berg came on in the 43rd minute of the Boks’ 29-24 victory at FNB Stadium on Saturday, helping the world champions take a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series.
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“Morné made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match,” Erasmus said.
The only other change sees Damian Willemse return at fullback after Cheslin Kolbe suffered a broken jaw.
“Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it’s good to have him back,” Erasmus said.
“He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week.”
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Having won the past two Tests, Erasmus has otherwise backed the combinations that put the Boks within one victory of clinching the series.
“We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches, so we believe selecting the same match-day squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series,” he said.
“These players also know exactly what to expect from a very determined All Blacks team, who will give everything to draw the series this weekend.”
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Erasmus expects New Zealand to respond strongly at M&T Bank Stadium after successive defeats.
“We have faced the All Blacks three weeks in a row, and just like us, they are a proud team who showed last week that they will never stop fighting until the final whistle, so we are under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead this weekend.
“That said, we are equally determined to finish the series strongly and give everything to lift the trophy, and the players are excited about the match.
“We have no doubt that it’s going to be another epic encounter that will require a full-blown 80-minute effort on attack and defence.”
Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The post Rassie: Morné deserves his chance appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus says Morné van den Berg has earned the opportunity to wear the Springbok No 9 jersey in Baltimore on Saturday.
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