South Africa

Dirt Trackers eye Bok Test spots

Friday, November 06 With places in the Springbok Test team up for grabs, the Dirt Trackers will be out to impress in the opening tour match against Leicester at Welford Road on Friday night.

Chiliboy Ralepelle’s team kicks-off a five-match tour that will see the Boks play Tests against France, Italy and Ireland as well as a second midweek match against English Premiership leaders Saracens.

Backline coach Dick Muir, who will coach the team until head coach Peter de Villiers and the rest of the 37-man squad lands next week, believes the Dirt Trackers may struggle to gel initially due to the lack of preparation time.

“It’s more about what we can achieve. In that sense, this game is very important with a view to the future,” Muir told Sport24.

“We definitely picked younger players for the game. Not just because we expect them to give the next step, but because we want them to excel.”

Only three players in the matchday 22 for Friday night’s fixture, namely loosehead Gurthrö Steenkamp, lock Danie Rossouw and flyhalf Ruan Pienaar has genuine international experience.

Others such as tighthead Jannie du Plessis, lock Andries Bekker, centre Wynand Olivier and wing Odwa Ndungane have a couple of Test caps to their credit.

The majority of the remaining players in the line-up have never had the honour to run out for the Boks in a Test, and with Muir revealing there are at least seven places up for grabs for next Friday’s Test against France in Toulouse, there will be no lack of motivation for the players to shine against the Tigers.

“That is the other carrot for the players. There are definitely places in the test team up for grabs and the players that show they want it, will be rewarded,” he said.

Topping the list of players who could work their way into the Test side is Wynand Olivier, who many feel was unlucky to start for the Dirt Trackers rather than the Test team.

Many considered the Bulls centre to be the front-runner for the Bok No 12 jersey, vacated by Jean de Villiers, but it seems as if De Villiers plans to play Adi Jacobs at inside centre.

Leicester have been depleted by players called up for England duty, especially in the back row with England coach Martin Johnson naming an all-Leicester loose trio in Tom Croft, Lewis Moody and Jordan Crane for Saturday’s Test against the Wallabies at Twickenham.

Nevertheless, Tigers coach Richard Cockerill has named a formidable side to be captained by All Black Aaron Mauger. Ralepelle believes the hosts will provide a stern challenge.

“Leicester have so much tradition and character that this will be a true test for us,” said Ralepelle.

“It’s an important day for them with the opening of the new Caterpillar Pavilion, but we’ll have to put a dampener on the celebrations if we want to achieve our goals.”

Mauger, in turn, feels the biggest challenge for the Tigers will be to handle the Boks’ physicality.

“It’s not going to be easy because they have excellent athletes and ball-carriers,” said Mauger.

“The secret for us will be to limit their possession to the minimum. We’re not going to roll over just because they are the world champions.”

Muir indicated that everyone in the matchday 22 will get some time on the park.

“You have to consider how to utilise each player’s strengths in the game,” he said.

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