Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has explained why Marco van Staden will start at number eight against Australia in Perth. Erasmus said the only special job for a Bok number eight is to scrum in that spot.
It will be only the second time Van Staden starts at number eight for South Africa. His first start there came against Italy last November. His other Test starts have all been on the side of the scrum.
“I know you guys probably get a bit frustrated with me, but you only scrum at number eight,” Erasmus said, according to Planet Rugby.
The choice surprised some fans. Cameron Hanekom played well off the bench against the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Elrigh Louw, who has been named in the number seven jersey, has also played at number eight for club and country.
Erasmus said the coaches want one tall player in the loose trio. “Now, if that tall loose forward is Elrigh Louw and the other two are shorter guys, then one plays to the ground, and the other one is a good carrier,” he said.
Paul de Villiers completes the back row with Louw and Van Staden. Jasper Wiese, who started all four Tests against New Zealand, has been named on the bench.
The new back row gives South Africa two players who can fight for the ball on the ground. Erasmus said props Zachery Porthen and Jan-Hendrik Wessels and hooker Johan Grobbelaar are also strong at the breakdown.
He said the other loose forwards swap roles easily. He gave an example of what could happen if Louw gets injured. Sous Mostert would probably move to seven, Andre Esterhuizen might move to six, and Wiese might go to eight.
“So for us there’s not a specific role for the eighth man apart from scrumming at eight,” Erasmus said. He added that the taller loose forward usually jumps or contests in the lineout.
“So, physically, can he do the job for Daan in the scrums? Apart from that, the guy’s got a different role on attack, defence, kicking game, and at the breakdown,” he said. Daan Human is the Springboks scrum coach.
Erasmus expects a hard fight for the ball on the ground against the Wallabies. Australia have players such as Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano and Josh Canham who are dangerous over the ball.
“I think the breakdown battle is going to be massive, and I think Marco will have a massive impact there as well, against Fraser McReight and their guys,” Erasmus said.
“In their team, there are certainly guys who can disrupt the breakdown. They are really good at that, and hopefully Marco can help sort that out for us,” he said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Planet Rugby. Image: Planet Rugby. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.