Cricket Rugby Soccer Sport news so fresh, its live!

February 12, 2025
Search
All Blacks Currie Cup Rugby Rugby Championship Rugby World Cup Sharks Springboks

Erasmus Delighted To Have Trio Back

  • August 21, 2024
  • 3 min read
  • 136 Views
Erasmus Delighted To Have Trio Back

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is excited to see winger Canan Moodie, prop Steven Kitshoff, and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse return to the squad that will face the All Blacks in two Rugby Championship matches.

All three players were recalled after playing for the Blue Bulls, Stormers, and Sharks in the Currie Cup, respectively, having missed all five matches the Boks played this season due to injuries.

Moodie, who can also play as a center, will face competition from Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing, while Kitshoff will compete with Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Hendrikse appears to have a better chance of starting at halfback, as he will compete with Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams. Faf De Klerk is out injured.

“It’s good to have Steven, Jaden and Canan back from injury, along with Jasper and Andre. They are all Rugby World Cup winners, who have delivered quality performances consistently against the top teams in the world, so they’ll bring experience and their unique skillsets to this squad.

“As a team we are in a good position in terms of squad depth with 32 of the 33 players on tour playing against the Wallabies – the only exception was RG Snyman who suffered a foot niggle – and we have full faith in the young players to showcase their talent once again against a completely different opponent in New Zealand.

“Adding to that, all these players, with the exception of Nicolaas, were members of our training squad in Pretoria in July and our alignment camps earlier in the year, and they’ve have been regular members of the squad in the last few years, so they understand our systems and should slot in with ease.

“Nicolaas has had a good season with Montpellier and is a capped Springbok, so we are excited to welcome him back into the fold.”

Erasmus also delivered good news, saying Snyman should be available for selection for the opening Test against the All Blacks after having two weeks to recover from his foot niggle.

“RG should be able to train with us this week again and, if that’s the case, he will be in contention for selection for the Test against New Zealand in Johannesburg,” said Erasmus.

“We are also excited to see what some of the young players can do in these two Tests if they get a run after making a strong impression on the coaches so far this season.

“Similarly to the coaches, they are fully aware that this will be a new challenge in intense matches between two of the biggest rivals in world rugby, but the experienced they gained by facing in Australia in two tough Test matches overseas – one of which was in extreme weather conditions – will set them in good stead going into this series.”

The first test of this powerful rivalry will take place at Ellis Park Stadium on 31 August, and the second test will be on 7 September at DHL Stadium.

About Author

Sportswire

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *