Mzwandile Stick is excited to see what a new-look Springbok side brings against the unpredictable challenge of Eddie Jones’ Wallabies on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The eams will take the field for the first time this season at Fortress Loftus in a Test that promises to set the tone for what is a very important season, with the World Cup kicking off in September.
At the dawn of Jones’ second term at the helm of the Wallabies – having also previously served as a member of Jake White’s Bok management team in 2007 – the tourists have the added motivation of the opportunity to become the first Australian team to win at Loftus Versfeld.
“If you look on the other side of the channel, they’ve got four new caps. They have [Suliasi] Vunivalu on the wing who has just one cap and a couple of players under 10 Test matches,” said assistant coach Stick.
“If you look at that backline, it’s very powerful. With the experience of Nic White and Quade Cooper, they will be key for the game.
“They have a plan and we have tried to analyse how Australia plays. But I don’t think it’s going to be exactly what we have seen, because you have Eddie and we know how he is as a coach. He is willing to go to dark places to get the best out of his team.
“Having been involved with the Springboks in 2007 he also knows South Africa’s strengths, so we are expecting to face a team that is highly motivated and who will want to impress Eddie.
“They’ll come to Pretoria wanting to change history.
“We are well aware that this is not a game that is going to be light. With the experience that they have in that team, we are going to have a long day.”
The Springboks have fielded a few new combinations, with rookie wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie joined by the experienced Willie le Roux in the outside backs, while Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach form the halfbacks.
Stick shrugged off concerns that the new partnerships could take a while to bed in, while expressing his excitement at being able to see some of the newbies blooded into the squad.
“It’s exciting, especially in a World Cup year. As a coach that’s the best year that you can coach in. The players trust in you and never lack energy, they are always in a good space.
“Even Duane next to me hasn’t missed any training sessions this year so far. So you are in a good space because every player is trying to contribute in whatever way they can.
“For us as coaches, I’ve seen what the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie did last year. One thing I like about this squad, is the balance of experience and youth.
“What we did in 2019 to win the World Cup, we mustn’t think that it’s the same thing this year. We need to come up with new surprises.
“I must be honest, I like what I see from the youngsters in our squad. I just like the balance in our team.”
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