Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks changed their plans against the All Blacks after a number of fringe players put their hands up in thrashing the Wallabies in Pretoria. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Springboks could not have asked for a better start to the 2023 Rugby World Cup year and Rugby Championship campaign as they claimed a six-try bonus-point win over Eddie Jones’ Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening.
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Fielding what by many was deemed to be a ‘B-team’ of experienced regulars and fringe players for the match, the Springboks sent a message about the depth in the squad of players they will be able to choose from for the World Cup.
Away from hat-trick hero Kurt-Lee Arendse, there were impressive performances from inside centre Andre Esterhuizen, flank Marco van Staden, flyhalf Manie Libbok – making his first Test start – and debutant lock Jean Kleyn.
The Springboks had already sent a squad of 13 players to New Zealand to prepare for the match against the All Blacks, and late on Saturday night announced a further 21 players – including Libbok, Kleyn, Van Staden and Esterhuizen – to join them.
During the post-match press conference, Stick revealed that the Bok coaches were left so impressed by the performances against the Wallabies, that they will change their plans for the team to face the All Blacks in Auckland on 15 July.
“Without going deep into detail on it or the performances of the guys today, I am not going to mention names, but we had an original squad that was supposed to join the guys overseas and some guys today, that were not part of the group, with the performance they had today, will be joining the squad,” said Stick.
“Sometimes the opportunities you get in life…everyone kept saying that this was a B-team. Some guys have booked their ticket today. That’s how special this game was today.”
Stick added that the talk, which especially came from the Wallabies camp, of this being a weakened Springbok side gave them plenty of motivation to prove their doubters wrong.
“This week lot of talk around this being a B-team. We trusted our squad, and didn’t like the disrespect. We are very glad. I am glad that a Kurt-Lee Arendse stood up against [Marika] Koroibete, Australia had a powerful backline.
“I am very, very happy for them, Manie Libbok also. The manner in which we won the game, we had to fight, but you could see the energy there.”
Photo: WIKUS DE WET / AFP