In a bold move that's got everyone talking, the Springboks have benched powerhouse Eben Etzebeth for their upcoming clash with the All Blacks in Wellington. This decision by head coach Rassie Erasmus to rest Etzebeth, marking one of the few changes to the squad since their last encounter at Eden Park, has indeed turned heads. Stepping into the fray are Ruan Nortje and Lood de Jager, forming what has been dubbed a 'pretty weird' lock combination by none other than Duane Vermeulen himself.
With Etzebeth sidelined, Erasmus seems to be playing a strategic long game, ensuring his star lock's longevity in the sport. "You can’t play Eben every single game; the guy is going to burn out, and we still want him to play for a couple of years," Vermeulen explained, highlighting the necessity of rotation within the team. Additionally, the loss of tighthead locks Salmaan Moerat and Jean Kleyn to injuries has forced Erasmus's hand, prompting this unusual lineup.
"Obviously, it looks pretty weird if you have two five locks in your pack, but they play their part and they know exactly what they want to do and where they want to go about their game."
The adjustment in the squad also brings Siya Kolisi back to his preferred position on the side of the scrum, thanks to Jasper Wiese's return. Meanwhile, Malcolm Marx, set to start once more, shoulders the blame for the Springboks' recent lineout struggles. "I was going to take some formal responsibility for it," Marx said, committed to improving his throws and ensuring better accuracy in future games.
Victor Matfield, a legendary figure in South African rugby, also weighed in on the team's tactical approach. On The Rivals podcast, he criticized the current lineout strategies, suggesting a lack of understanding in facing different defensive systems. "They’ve got the guys to do it. Ruan Nortje and Lood de Jager are great lineout callers. They are more worried about the attacking play [after the lineout] and not, first let’s win the ball and play off that," Matfield explained, pinpointing where the focus should lie.
As the Springboks gear up to face the formidable All Blacks, all eyes will be on this 'weird' combination to see if they can rise to the occasion and outmaneuver their rivals. The biggest games indeed call for the best strategies, and South Africa is hoping their gamble pays off.