JOHANNESBURG: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has put the majority of his players on notice: they must either shape up and produce a performance worthy of the Bok badge or run the risk of getting dumped.
Coetzee has made it clear he will make changes to his squad for the third Test against Ireland next Saturday if the players who let the team down in Cape Town last weekend don’t turn things around at Ellis Park tomorrow. The Boks have to win to avoid losing a series to the Irish for the first time on South African soil.
“We’re starting with a new slate this week. I am giving most of the players an opportunity to redeem themselves and make sure they get it right,” Coetzee said yesterday at the announcement of the Bok team for tomorrow’s clash.
“I believe in second chances. In all walks of life, people deserve a second chance ... they know though there will be consequences after the second chance if they don’t take this opportunity. There are people waiting ... and I’ll have to look at other players.”
Coetzee has made only one unenforced change to the side who lost at Newlands last weekend, bringing in Ruan Combrinck for Jesse Kriel on the bench. The other changes are injury-related – Pieter-Steph du Toit comes in for Lood de Jager (calf) and Elton Jantjies for Pat Lambie (concussion). Morne Steyn and Franco Mostert replace Jantjies and Du Toit respectively among the substitutes.
But it is not only the immediate – and possibly also long term – futures of several Boks that are on the line tomorrow, as poor, ill-disciplined efforts by the players could also cost them dearly.
“Giving away seven penalties inside 22 minutes, like we did at Newlands last weekend, is unacceptable,” barked Coetzee. “Players becoming sloppy and tired and not sticking to the systems will have consequences. The players understand that. It will hurt them financially, or cost them their place in the team.
“Our intention is to come out (tomorrow) and put up a performance in line with the ability of this team,” the coach added.
Coetzee said he was excited about the prospect of Combrinck and Mostert making their debuts. “With Pat Lambie out, Ruan is another kicking option, with his right boot,” he said. “And Franco has been so close to selection. He’s been in superb form for the Lions.
“He’s a real 100 percenter ... he gives his everything, in training and on the field. That’s how life works ... if you give everything, your opportunity will eventually come.”
Mostert said that his job would be to speed up the game, along with his fellow Lions teammates Warren Whiteley and Combrinck, when called upon in the second half.
There are several deserving players who missed out on selection for tomorrow’s matchday 23 and who must be itching for a chance. So, the Boks know all too well what’s at stake if they don’t deliver on what Coetzee – and the country – expect of them. No pressure then.
South Africa:
Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Lionel Mapoe, Damian de Allende, Lwazi Mvovo, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Frans
Malherbe, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Tendai Mtawarira.
Bench: Bongi
Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Warren Whiteley, Rudy Paige, Morne Steyn, Ruan Combrinck.
Ireland:
Jared Payne, Andrew Trimble, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Iain Henderson, Quinn Roux, Devin Toner, Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Jack McGrath. Bench: Richardt Strauss, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Donnacha Ryan, Sean Reidy, Kieran Marmion, Ian Madigan, Tiernan O’Halloran. Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia). Kickoff:5pm. TV: SS1. - Cape Times