Why you don’t want to be called Francois right now if you’re a Springbok rugby player

SOUTH Africa will play Australia in Perth in Round 3 of the Rugby Championships this Saturday, September 9. Kick-off is at 12pm.

But they’ll be without their two players named Francois – okay, one is actually Franco, but hey, it’s almost the same name.

(A quick search reveals that Franco’s full name is in fact Francois).

One is out for the whole game, the other for probably the first hour or so.

Fortunately, it’s nothing sinister.

Ross Cronjé is back at scrum-half so Francois Hougaard moves to the bench.

Cronjé, who has been the first choice number 9 has had a niggling leg injury but seems to be over the worst.

He’s been great at setting up the game, and then making room for the electric, flamboyant Hougaard to bring the late-game fizz and fun.

At lock, Franco Mostert is being rested, as part of a rotational selection policy, according to coach Allister Coetzee.

This is probably to ensure he is fully rested, after a very busy season, to face the All Blacks next week.

Whatever the case, it means Pieter-Steph du Toit will start alongside skipper Eben Etzebeth in the second row.

Lood de Jager comes onto the bench. The Boks are blessed when it comes to lock stocks, that’s for sure.

So far the Springboks have beaten Argentina, home and away.

It’s the same for New Zealand who have beaten Australia, home and away.

A win against the Wallabies on Saturday will be the first time it’s happened in four years.

And it’ll certainly up the ante for the massive game against the All Blacks the following week.

MATCH DAY SQUAD:

Springbok team: Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Uzair Cassiem, Jaco Kriel, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Coenie Oosthuizen, Malcolm Marx, Tendai Mtawarira.

Bench: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende.

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FIXTURES

September 2017

9 New Zealand v Argentina Yarrow Stadium 09:35

9 Australia v South Africa nib Stadium, Perth 12:00

16 New Zealand v South Africa QBE Stadium, Albany 09:35

16 Australia v Argentina GIO Stadium 12:00

30 South Africa v Australia Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein 17:05

October 2017

1 Argentina v New Zealand Estadio Jose Amalfitani 00:30

7 South Africa v New Zealand DHL Newlands, Cape Town 17:05

8 Argentina v Australia Estadio Malvinas Argentinas 00:30

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