Etzebeth to lead Boks into a calculated gamble

Springbok giant Eben Etzebeth will head into this week’s preparations for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against Australia knowing that not only will his return to test rugby be a massive test for him, he will have the responsibility of leading the side into battle as well.

With regular captain Siya Kolisi still recovering from a knee injury, Etzebeth will take the captain’s armband for the test match this weekend as coach Rassie Erasmus looks to mix and match his side for the opening two games with an eye on the World Cup.

Etzebeth will be joined by a number of players making their returns from injury, most notably Lood de Jager who came through the Blue Bulls' Currie Cup opener unscathed this past weekend. He will take his place in the second row alongside Etzebeth with Pieter-Steph du Toit likely to fill the flank role he did with such success last season.

And for all of those returning, the excitement to be back in test rugby is heightened by the fact the World Cup cut-off is looming after the Championship, and a number of those in camp won’t be making the final squad.

And while Erasmus’ task in getting the team fit and match sharp is the first goal, there is nothing more that the Boks would want than to keep up their good record at home over Australia – a record that despite a draw in 2017, stretches back to 2011 for the last time they lost to the Wallabies.

Michael Cheika’s side are in their second week in Johannesburg, choosing to train at altitude to negate the factors ahead of the test and all indications are they will be selecting their strongest side for the fixture.

TEST STARTS

Against this background it will be no surprise if Erasmus looks to give a number of players a run – most notably test starts for Rynhard Elstadt and Herschel Jantjies, while overseas based stars Cobus Reinach and Marcell Coetzee will also be in line for game time to give Erasmus a glimpse of what they can do in a Green and Gold jersey.

Lizo Gqoboka is set for a well-deserved test debut as well, after a magical season where he forced his way into the Springbok setup, while Jesse Kriel will take on a new leadership role with the vice-captaincy in the backline.

As Erasmus rightly remarked last week, there is little to choose between several players in positions so the decision to mix and match does make sense, with Reinach’s performances in the English Premiership and Elstadt’s impressive showing in the Top 14 for Toulouse needing to translate into Springbok form.

It is a calculated gamble, but in a World Cup year an understandable one. And if it pays off the Bok depth for the tournament will be stronger for it.

But with the Boks expected to lift themselves for test matches, it is likely that Etzebeth’s return will see a physical pack that will lay the groundwork for a Bok season and the big lock knows it.

“Everything changes when you pull on the national jersey,” Etzebeth told journalists.

“The Wallabies are always strong and you can’t read anything into form based on what happens with provincial teams. It’s the same with us, when you put on the Bok jersey you get yourself up for every opponent.

“I’m very excited to play some test rugby again ... getting the chance to play for the Boks is the reason why we all play rugby.

“Everything is looking good. We’ve been training full out, and I should be ready next week,” he told journalists last Thursday.

“I think I only played seven Super Rugby games, so obviously I’m excited for the Bok season. I’d like to think I’m quite fresh, seeing that I haven’t played a lot this year. But, I need to get some game fitness behind me, and I’d like that to happen as soon as possible.”

And the Bok management want their returning stars to gel with the newcomers, with the best environment being the cauldron of test rugby.

And on Saturday those gambles will be put to the test. Etzebeth and co know what is expected. Whatever the scoreline, the effects will go a long way to determining the confidence and outlook for a massive World Cup ahead.