Jacques Nienaber hails 'phenomenal' Frans Malherbe ahead of milestone match
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Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has sung the praises of tighthead prop Frans Malherbe ahead of his 50th test match for South Africa.
Malherbe earned his test debut back in 2013 against Wales and represented his country at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, winning the latter. He also started the last two matches of the British and Irish Lions Series after coming off the bench for the first.
When Malherbe runs out for his 50th test match for the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, his record will state that he has scored just one try at international level.
However, Nienaber points out that he is indirectly a points machine for his side.
"If we go and count all the points kicked over due to Frans' scrum work - even though he himself has scored only one try, five points are behind his name - you will come out with a lot of points accounted for by him," Nienaber said.
"If you also count all the penalties he has won at scrum time in our half where we can then kick the ball up-field and get to walk 40-50m into the opponent’s half, he has carried our team on many occasions."
Often described as an unsung hero by fans and pundits alike, Nienaber says that his squad and coaching staff are well aware of the value he adds to the side.
"I suppose people are right in labelling him an unsung hero. He's definitely not one in our environment because we value him so much," Nienaber explained.
"I've been fortunate enough to coach him since he was at the Western Province's academy and it's a privilege to see a milestone game like this.
"We understand what he contributes. He's a big hero."
Nienaber further sang the big tighthead's praises labelling him as a 'phenomenal team man' and paid tribute to his work rate around the park.
"Frans is a phenomenal team man and his teammates know what he brings to the squad in terms of his scrummaging," said Nienaber.
"But, if you also go look at his defence, he gets around the field and he makes his tackles. He makes few errors and he is worth so much to us.
"It just shows you the nice thing of rugby. It's a game for all shapes and sizes. Frans is worth his weight in gold."
Malherbe's work rate is clearly shown in the clip below where he makes three tackles in 25 seconds in the first test against New Zealand.
Frans Malherbe making 3 tackles in 25 seconds#RSAvNZL https://t.co/dE7pfBHLVs pic.twitter.com/IgPsMPUazZ
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 8, 2022
Nienaber's statement that Malherbe 'makes few errors' is highlighted by the fact that he averages a penalty every 307 minutes for the Springboks since the start of 2019. A vastly improved average since his debut when he averaged a penalty conceded every 89 minutes between 2013-18.
Malherbe - penalty conceded every 89 minutes for South Africa 2013-18, every 307 minutes since 2019 (using ESPN)
— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) August 9, 2022
Roar Sports' contributor and podcast co-host Harry Jones adds that he has Malherbe's penalty differential for South Africa at +34 with this stat 'drawn from actual plus-minus full arm scrum penalties for-against Boks whilst Frans is on the field and NOT a clear Bok LH win.'
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