Etzebeth doubtful to face New Zealand in Joburg

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids said on Monday that South Africa may have to face New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday without their most-capped player, Eben Etzebeth, while RG Snyman and Salmaan Moerat are not yet ready to return to Test action.

Davids delivered the news on the lock front when he faced the media in Johannesburg on Monday, ahead of the Rugby Championship Test at Emirates Airline Park. Etzebeth has a knee niggle, Snyman continues to nurse the foot niggle that ruled him out of the two Wallaby Tests, and Moerat would continue his return to play protocols after suffering concussion in Perth.

Davids said: “Yes, we have a few injuries amongst our locks, but it’s part of the game and Pieter-Steph (du Toit) and Ruan (Nortje) had good games in our last outing. It’s never nice to lose experience, but this will open up opportunities for other players to put up their hands and show what they can do at the highest level.

“Franco (Mostert), Lood (de Jager) and Jean (Kleyn) are also out and while it may seem like a crisis, we see it as an opportunity to increase our depth at lock and we want the next players to show us what they can do.”

Davids and experienced midfielder Jesse Kriel reiterated that the Springboks are expected a massive onslaught from New Zealand in the first of two Tests, and said it would take a big effort to build on their recent victories in Australia and in the Rugby World Cup final last year, when the Boks defeated the All Blacks 12-11 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time in a row.

“We will never underestimate an All Black team,” said Davids. “There is a massive respect between the sides, and they showed what they can do when they have their backs against the wall (by bouncing back strongly against Argentina).

“They are mostly close games when we play against them if one looks back, and they always present a good match-up in all departments, so this week will be no different.”

Kriel echoed Davids’ sentiments and said this match would present a completely different challenge for the team: “The back-to-back wins against Australia were great, but that’s behind us, and we now have an exciting challenge ahead against New Zealand.

“Our focus now is to train as hard as possible. This is a massive Test for both teams, so it’s important that we are well prepared and have our systems in place.”

Kriel said while they could not control the result, they could control their effort.

“The intensity with which we play, and our effort is all that we can control,” said Kriel. “Both teams are in a similar situation with new coaching staff and players after the RWC final, so this week will be about who prepares the best and uses their opportunities on the day.

“They have unbelievable players with a great skill set, and they play a fast game, so we know what we are up against this weekend.”

When quizzed about the difference between facing New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final and again this week in Johannesburg, Davids said their goal in France was to prove that South Africa can be the best in the world.

“We achieved that and we’re proud of it, but our goal now is to see how we can get better in each Test and obviously we’d like to win each one, so we’ll enter this match with that mindset,” said Davids.

“As a team we are very excited about the challenge ahead and we know that another good performance will give us a chance to take a step further to possibly winning the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, so we are not only excited about the match but also the young generation of players that are coming through the ranks.”

Springbok prop Gerhard Steenekamp, who was on the panel on Monday’s news conference in Johannesburg, was thrilled about the possibility of getting a chance to face SA’s arch-rivals should he be selected for the clash and said: “It would be a massive honour to play against the All Blacks if I get the opportunity, and it’s certainly a chance I hope to grab with both hands.

“They have a good scrum and set piece, and we’ll make sure we work hard and do our best up-front to counter the challenge they provide. It’s every young boy’s dream who plays rugby to face the All Blacks, so it would be special.

“Fortunately, I have the opportunity of training against some of the best props in the world on a weekly basis, and I try to learn more from them each day.”

The Springboks returned to the training field on Monday after having Sunday off as they slot back into full Test match mode for their next assignment at Emirates Airline Park. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will name his matchday squad for the match on Tuesday.