Rugby
Etzebeth on bench against All Blacks─── MORGAN PIEK 13:32 Wed, 28 Aug 2024
“We are blessed to have an expanded squad of about 45 players who have all bought into our plans and who understand what’s best for the team, and it’s admirable how Marco accepted the news. It shows the quality of the player and person he is.”
The Springbok lock, Eben Etzebeth, has been cleared to play in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg.
Initially the towering lock wasn’t selected as a meniscus niggle led to him missing out on training on Monday. The Boks selection policy states that if a player doesn’t train on Monday, he doesn’t play.
However, Etzebeth, has recovered from the injury and he made it through Tuesday as well as Wednesday’s training sessions. He has been pulled into the squad, but he will play in his 125th Test off the bench on Saturday.
Sadly, for the versatile flanker, Marco van Staden, he will miss out after being dropped from the bench to make way for Etzebeth. The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, said they had to make a tough call by dropping Van Staden who can provide cover as hooker as well.
Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Morgan Piek
“Our selection policy has always been that if a player does not train on a Monday he will not play on Saturday, but Eben has made it through training pain-free all week, so we had to make the tough call to name him in the squad at the expense of Marco,” said Erasmus.
“There were back-up options for us at lock in the initial squad, but with Eben on the bench, it means we have another specialist in that position in the team.
“We are blessed to have an expanded squad of about 45 players who have all bought into our plans and who understand what’s best for the team, and it’s admirable how Marco accepted the news. It shows the quality of the player and the person he is.”
Meanwhile, four players have been released from the squad to play for their respective provinces in the Currie Cup this weekend. Steven Kitshoff and Manie Libbok will head back to Western Province, while Canan Moodie will link up with the Bulls, and Mazakole Mapimpi is available for the Sharks.
Saturday’s big Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at Ellis Park kicks off at 17:00.
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 2 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard
All Blacks – TBA
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg
