Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus explained that the decision to give star winger Cheslin Kolbe a rare start at fullback against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday was motivated in part by the desire to give Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu a sustained run in the No 10 jersey.
Regular fullback Damian Willemse sustained a hamstring injury in the Stormers’ last match against Benetton in the United Rugby Championship and was not considered for the match. With Aphelele Fassi also injured and veteran Willie le Roux not included in the tour squad, the Boks have turned to Kolbe to patrol the backfield.
“I think it was in 2022 in Ireland when he last started at fullback, and he has moved to fullback in games for us. He’s played at fullback a lot in the French Top 14,” Erasmus said of Kolbe at Tuesday’s media conference following his announcement of the team for Saturday’s first Test of the November Internationals.
“We could have probably moved Manie (Libbok) or Handré (Pollard) to 10 and Sacha to 15, but we feel we need a little bit of continuity with Sacha finding his feet at Test-match level and against different opposition. But with having Kurt-Lee (Arendse) back – he’s been playing well – and Canaan (Moodie) playing well, we’ve got the luxury of giving Cheslin a chance.”
Arendse makes a welcome return on the left wing after recovering from injury and will form part of a thrilling Springbok backline that includes Cobus Reinach and Feinberg-Mngomezulu pulling the strings as the halfback pairing, as well as Ethan Hooker on the right wing.
“I’m really excited to be back, and like coach Rassie said, it’s not Cheslin’s first time playing at fullback,” Arendse said. “I think when we played in Ireland in 2022, he was at fullback. I think he is one of the best players, and I’m just excited to be on the field again with him.”
His last match for the Boks before his injury was in the loss against Australia in Johannesburg on August 16, where he scored a try. He was sidelined after that game with a hamstring and knee injury.
Asked if it was frustrating to watch the team win the Rugby Championship from the sidelines, the Bulls flyer said: “I wouldn’t say it was frustrating, but injuries happen sometimes in sport. Actually, I enjoyed it on the one hand because I got to do things at home, and sometimes it’s good to just take a break from the game of rugby.
“I was also happy for the boys who got the opportunity, but obviously you also want to be part of the group and the team. For me, it was a good break, but I’m just happy to be part of the group again.”
Libbok and Grant Williams will provide backline cover on the bench for Saturday’s match.
