Louw, Leyds and Cronje to start against Wallabies
Allister Coetzee made three changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Test against Australia in Bloemfontein.
A first Test start for Dillyn Leyds and Francois Louw’s inclusion in the back row are two of the four changes to the Springbok squad to face the Wallabies in Saturday’s important Rugby Championship match in Bloemfontein.
The experienced flanker is set to earn his 53rd Test cap for the Springboks at the Free State Stadium, while Leyds will make his fourth appearance and first start on the wing, in place of Raymond Rhule.
Scrumhalf Ross Cronje is over his illness that forced him to withdraw from the New Zealand Test in Albany, while hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has been included in the match 23 for the first time since the home Test against Italy in June 2013. The experienced Sharks hooker got the nod over Bongi Mbonambi, who played off the bench in the previous seven Test this year.
According to Coetzee, the inclusion of the seasoned Louw will be valuable to the team.
“Francois showed this week that he is in a great condition and he brings a lot of experience to the team. I believe his strength is playing towards the ball, and he is renowned for making good decisions at the defensive breakdown. As a result Jean-Luc moves back to the bench, from where he can make a telling impact,” said Coetzee.
On Leyds’ inclusion, Coetzee said that it is now the right time to give Dillyn a starting opportunity. He said the management know what I have in Rhule, but Leyds has played consistently well in the Currie Cup and deserves a chance.
According to Coetzee Rhule stays part of their plans and will join up with the squad next week in Cape Town again.
Cronje takes over the scrumhalf duties from Francois Hougaard, who started against New Zealand, while Rudy Paige will provide No 9 cover off the bench.
“It is great to resume the continuity between Ross and Elton Jantjies as a halfback combination. All three of our scrumhalves looked sharp during training this week,” said Coetzee.
The Springbok coach said he is expecting his team to deliver a vastly improved performance against Australia this weekend.
“Our preparations have gone well this week and the players are excited and eager to improve on our previous performance. The Wallabies are a good side with many dangerous and classy players across the board. And they would have gained a lot of confidence from their previous outings,” Coetzee concluded.
The Springbok team to face Australia in Bloemfontein: 15. Andries Coetzee (Lions), 14. Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 13. Jesse Kriel (Bulls), 12. Jan Serfontein (Bulls), 11. Courtnall Skosan, (Lions), 10. Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9. Ross Cronje (Lions), 8. Uzair Cassiem (Cheetahs), 7. Francois Louw (Bath, England), 6. Siya Kolisi (Stormers), 5. Franco Mostert (Lions), 4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3. Ruan Dreyer (Lions), 2. Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks). Replacements: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (Sharks), 17. Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), 18. Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 20. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), 21. Rudy Paige (Bulls), 22. Handré Pollard (Bulls), 23. Damian de Allende (Stormers).
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