Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained why veteran lock Eben Etzebeth wasn’t selected for Friday night’s Nations Championship Test against France in Paris.
Etzebeth, who was initially ruled out of the Boks’ European tour with an ankle injury, rejoined the squad on Monday as a replacement for injured flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed.
However, Erasmus has opted against rushing the 147-cap second-rower – who last played for the Sharks against Leinster on 10 October – back into action.
Lood de Jager will again start in the No 4 jersey alongside Ruan Nortjé after being called into the starting lineup just before kick-off against Italy in Turin last week when Salmaan Moerat withdrew due to back spasms. Franco Mostert again provides lock cover from the bench.
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“Eben just arrived in France, and although we know what he brings to the team, we feel it would be better for him to get back into the swing of things this week after some time on the sidelines,” Erasmus explained.
“Lood and Franco are also very experienced players and they have been training with us for almost two weeks now after arriving in Italy the week prior to last week’s Test match.
“They’ve both faced France in high pressure matches and delivered, so we know what we have in them and what they will bring to the team this week.”
Erasmus has made just two changes to the match 23 that thrashed Italy 66-7, with Wilco Louw replacing Thomas du Toit at tighthead prop and Cobus Reinach coming onto the bench in place of Grant Williams.
“Our front rows are well settled and have all been playing together for a few seasons, so we made a rotational switch with Wilco and Thomas,” said Erasmus.
“Cobus is very familiar with the French conditions as he played club rugby here [for Montpellier] so we thought bringing him into the mix would be good against a quality French outfit.”
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The Bok coach reiterated his desire to maintain continuity during the European leg of the Nations Championship.
“We said from the outset that we would not rotate too much on this tour, so it was always our intention to select a settled squad for this game to build momentum in the competition,” he said.
“Most of these players have faced France at home and know what to expect from them, and they have also experienced their passionate and vocal crowd first-hand.”
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Erasmus expects another fierce battle on Friday night, despite the Boks having won nine of their last 10 Tests against Les Bleus, including a 32-17 victory in Paris a year ago.
“Matches between us and France are always intense, and this week will be no different,” he said.
“Both teams have everything to play for – we are in a similar situation trying to hold onto the top spots in the respective Nations Championship hemisphere tables – so this match is vital for both sides to try to advance to the final of the competition.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Why Rassie didn’t rush back Eben appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained why veteran lock Eben Etzebeth wasn’t selected for Friday night’s Nations Championship Test against France in Paris.
The post Why Rassie didn’t rush back Eben appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
