Damian Willemse admitted that while switching to inside centre this week against the All Blacks in Wellington was a different challenge for him, the Springbok utility back was excited to be in the new look backline selected by coach Rassie Erasmus.
Willemse, who will start in the No 12 jersey for South Africa the first time, will join forces with Canan Moodie in a hard-running midfield combination, pairing with Cheslin Kolbe, Ethan Hooker, and Aphelele Fassi in the back three, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach at halfback.
Nail down the detail
He said they have been working around the clock to nail down the detail required to enter the Rugby Championship match as well prepared as possible.
“I played inside centre a few years ago, and I’ve played in the position as a replacement for the Boks, so there are aspects that are new for me, but I’m excited about the opportunity to link up with Sacha and the other backline players,” said Willemse.
“I think this is the first match that I will be playing with Sacha at flyhalf, but we’ve been working hard this week to align on how we play, and also with the other players from an attack and defence point of view, so we are ready for whatever the All Blacks throw at us.”
While the Springboks will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointing 24-17 defeat last weekend at Eden Park to stay in the running for the Rugby Championship title, as well as retain the Freedom Cup between the two rugby giants, the All Blacks will be equally psyched up after last week’s result and to make up for suffering four defeats in a row against the Springboks before that match – a situation Willemse was wary of.
“We are expecting another physical game, which is what they always deliver,” said Willemse.
“There are close margins in Test rugby, and last week we had an opportunity to secure a draw, but we were unable to do so. So, we know this is going to be another epic encounter.
“Obviously, we can’t change what happened last week, but we had a thorough review of the match, and we’ve put it behind us. Our focus is now squarely on Saturday’s match-up, and hopefully we can play well and get the desired result. It’s going to be a physical and hard match, but for us it’s all about nailing our roles on the field.”
Equally excited
Springbok replacement hooker Marnus van der Merwe was equally excited about the game, which will mark his first against the All Blacks, and said: “This is the first time I’ll be facing them, and although there are nerves and excitement, my main objective is to go out there and do the best I can. They are the No 1 team in the world, so this is a massive occasion for all of us, and we are all determined to go out there and give everything.”
The match kicks off at 09:05 (SA time).
TEAMS
New Zealand
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Date: Saturday, 13 September
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Kick-off: 09:05 (SA time)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Having seen both line-ups, your score prediction for Saturday’s match?
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