[ad_1]
Siya Kolisi and Lukhanyo Am have been named as the respective Green and Gold team captains for the Springbok Showdown.
The Green team is led by Mzwandile Stick, with SA Rugby director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, as the team’s commissioner, while Deon Davids is the coach of the Gold team and the Springbok head coach, Jacques Nienaber, the commissioner of the team.
The seasoned Springbok duo will lead two teams with the best of the best in South Africa: Rugby World Cup winners, seasoned internationals and rising stars determined to show their skills with a view to advancing to the national level.
Stick was forced to make three changes to his game day gear for the crash after Oupa Mohoje (utility striker) tested positive for Covid-19, although he is asymptomatic, and as a precautionary measure Trevor Nyakane (pillar) went removed from the team. after being in close contact with his former Cheetahs teammate.
Additionally, former Junior Springbok utility running back Mnombo Zwelendaba was ruled out due to a hip injury.
As a result, three young players have been called up to the Springbok Gold team: Kwenzo Blose (prop), Kade Wolhuter (flyhalf) and JJ van der Mescht (lock). All three players have been named to the bench.
Stick was enthusiastic about his team, despite the changes imposed: “We have a good balance in our team if you look at the mix between young and old players,” he said.
We have people like Siya Kolisi, Duane [Vermeulen], Elton [Jantjies] and Frans [Steyn] who were with us at the Rugby World Cup in Japan, as we worked with some of the young people at a junior level, and it’s great to give them a taste of a week of testing. ‘
Davids was equally pleased with his team’s preparations: “The week has gone very well so far, with good enthusiasm in practice and a lot of desire to learn and absorb what is happening in this special environment,” he said.
“We will see a fascinating battle between two interesting and exciting team combinations, each comprised of seasoned RWC winners Springboks, established franchise players, some Blitzboks, and some really good youngsters entering the ranks.”
Stick, who admits it was great to see the national players return to action after the country was forced to shut down six months ago, expects an entertaining showdown and says they are excited to see what the players will dish out on Saturday.
“We would like to give players the freedom to express themselves and show their talents and bring that X factor,” Stick said.
“If you look at players like Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, they use their opportunities one on one, and we would like to give these young players the opportunity to do so. With the experienced players around him, I think it will be a good match.
‘The game could open in the later stages, but we are going to respect this match. The Gold team also has quality players, so we will try to play a well balanced game and, if it opens, we will try to take advantage of our opportunities.
Davids said that with the Stormers’ move to Cape Town Stadium next year, it would be a special occasion for Cape-based players on both teams.
“We have several DHL Stormers players in our ranks for whom this match will be a very special occasion, playing on the beautiful field of the famous Newlands Stadium,” said Davids.
Am, meanwhile, started the jokes between the teams in preparation for the match by saying, ‘I won’t reveal any secrets, but we have surprises in store for the green team.’
Green Springbok – 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JD Schickerling , 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok, 24 Jeremy Ward, 25 Kade Wolhuter.
Springbok Gold – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Vincent Tshituka, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Curwin Bosch, 24 Werner Kok, 25 Manuel Rass.
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / Getty Images
[ad_2]
