Cape Town - Faf de Klerk is a “ball of energy” after he was picked for his Springbok debut in Saturday’s first Test against Ireland at Newlands.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee chose De Klerk as the only uncapped player in his starting line-up on Thursday, with hooker Bongi Mbonambi the other debutant on the bench.
De Klerk has been in excellent form in Super Rugby, and Coetzee feels that the Lions scrumhalf deserved his selection. “Faf is a guy who has come through the B division at the Pumas, and is now doing well at Super Rugby level. He mustn’t just be seen as a link-man, but is someone who can keep defences honest around the fringes,” the coach said.
De Klerk, though, won’t have his franchise flyhalf alongside him as Elton Jantjies has been picked on the bench, with Patrick Lambie named at No 10 for Saturday’s clash.
Coetzee said that Jantjies’ finger injury was not a factor in the selection, and that he and lock Pieter-Steph du Toit (hamstring) were 100 percent fit.
“Elton will get his chance in future, and I am sure he will grab it,” the coach said. “Patrick has done well for the Sharks since his return from injury, and his goal-kicking has been up there in the 80s (percent). He will also be calling the shots in the backline.”
In-form Lions centre Lionel Mapoe has also been rewarded for his superb Super Rugby form and will play alongside Stormers No 12 Damian de Allende.
The pack of forwards is largely as expected, with overseas-based loose forwards Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw at No 8 and openside flank respectively.
Springboks Team
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Bench:16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Jesse Kriel.