MURRAY TO LEAD LIONS IN CAPE TOWN

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named 18 Rugby World Cup winners in a strong South Africa ‘A’ team captained by Lukhanyo Am for their clash with the British & Irish Lions in a Castle Lager Lions Series match at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

Uncapped Joseph Dweba (hooker) and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (lock) were also among the 25 named – including 10 replacements from which the final eight will be confirmed closer to kick off.

The starting XV features five players who started in the Springboks’ Test against Georgia a little over two weeks ago while Morne Steyn, who kicked the penalty goal to win a series against the Lions 12 years ago, makes his reacquaintance with the famous red jersey.

“We’re pleased to be able to name a quality team with a number of experienced players despite the challenges in the last week, which included the entire squad being confined to their rooms as part of the team’s preventative self-isolation measures,” said Nienaber.

“We may have lost our captain Siya (Kolisi), but there is a good leadership core within this group with the likes of Morné, Willie (le Roux), Eben (Etzebeth), Trevor (Nyakane) and Steven (Kitshoff), among others, whose experience will be invaluable in a match against a quality British & Irish Lions outfit.

“Players such as Joseph and Nicolaas will also get their first taste of running out in the green and gold at senior level in what will mark a memorable occasion in their careers and we are excited to see them showcase their skills.”

The five players who started against Georgia are Willie le Roux (fullback), Pieter-Steph du Toit (flank), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth (both locks) and Trevor Nyakane (prop); all World Cup winners. Other veterans of Japan 2019 in the starting team are prop Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk at scrumhalf, wings Cheslin Kolbe and Sbu Nkosi and centres Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am.

Jasper Wiese (No 8), who made his Test debut against Georgia, joins Marco van Staden and Du Toit in the loose trio, while Rugby World Cup winners among the extended replacement squad are Vincent Koch (prop), Kwagga Smith (loose forward), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf), Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Jesse Kriel (centre) and Damian Willemse (utility back). The coach is set to make the final call on which players will serve as the replacements in the next two days.

Nienaber has handed over the coaching reigns to Erasmus as he continues to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. Nienaber said: “Rassie has been hands on in our coaching and team selection meetings, he helped formulate our team structures, and he knows the players and coaching staff well, so it’s not an issue to adapt.”

The Springboks arrived in Cape Town on Sunday, while the players and team management who are in self-isolation will complete their mandatory isolation period in Johannesburg before making the trip to Cape Town. 

The match kicks off at 20h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

South Africa ‘A’ team to face British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium

15 – Willie le Roux

14 – Cheslin Kolbe

13 – Lukhanyo Am

12 – Damian de Allende

11 – Sbu Nkosi

10 – Morné Steyn

9 – Faf de Klerk

8 – Jasper Wiese

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit

6 – Marco van Staden

5 – Franco Mostert

4 – Eben Etzebeth

3 – Trevor Nyakane

2 – Joseph Dweba

1 – Steven Kitshoff

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx

17 – Coenie Oosthuizen

18 – Vincent Koch

19 – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg

20 – Rynhardt Elstadt

21 – Herschel Jantjies

22 – Jesse Kriel

23 – Damian Willemse

24 – Kwagga Smith

25 – Elton Jantjies

SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby addressed the media in a virtual press conference with SA ‘A’ captain Lukhanyo Am and said the match turned out as they expected.

“We expected our guys to run out of steam at the end after being stuck in our hotel rooms for a week and we only had two training sessions together as a team,” said Erasmus.

“The two yellow cards also certainly did not help our cause in that regard.”

Erasmus described the match, where SA ‘A’ held a 17-3 lead at the break, as “very intense, maybe not brilliant, but one where a lot of players showed massive guts and endeavour.

“That type of performance will not win us the Test series though, there is a lot of technical stuff we need to get right before next weekend.

“We also got from the Lions what we expected. Their physical approach and slick handling were expected, and they did not disappoint.

“That is exactly what we needed with a week to go before the first Test. We wanted to win this match and I am sure they wanted to as well. Maybe those two tries not given would have counted for them, but it worked in our favour tonight.”

Erasmus said he is pleased that a big chunk of the squad will return from isolation in Johannesburg in the coming days, especially Springbok head coach, Jacques Nienaber.

“Jacques is also the defence coach and this week he was coaching us virtually, so the way our guys responded was great,” said Erasmus.

“A number of players need some game time, but we will address that, as well as how to bring the COVID cases back in and manage their return to play.”

Am said it was a special occasion leading the team and it delivered a great result, while he was also full of praise for the performance of Cheslin Kolbe, who had a massive contribution in his try late in the first half.

“There are lots of leaders in the team and that made my job easy, while I thought Cheslin was outstanding,” said Am.

“He brings so much energy and class to our team. He is a key performer and showed why. He covered so many positions today, it’s great to have him in the team.”

An injury update will be provided later, but Willie le Roux (fullback) and Jasper Wiese (No 8) picked up strains during the game.