Andy Capostagno Rugby
Well, well, well. Win a Test 74-3, make seven changes and appoint a new captain. There are those who criticised Springbok coach Nick Mallet for being too conservative during his team’s assault on the record for successive Test wins. The same people may now be wondering whether an alien life form has taken over Mallett’s body and soul.
In the case of Gary Teichmann, Mallett’s hand was forced. Much as Teichmann tried to cover the effects of the hit on his bad knee, his body language after the first Test against Italy last week suggested otherwise. It means a first start for Andr Vos at eighth man and, more significantly, a new, young, dynamic and rebellious captain in Corn Krige.
Rebellious inasmuch as he has still to appear before the South African Rugby Football Union’s disciplinary committee for his part in the sabotage of the Stormers’ Super 12 semi-final against the Otago Highlanders last month. It would send an odd message to the rest of the rugby playing world if he were to be found guilty and yet retain a position of power in the national side. If nothing else it would make Lawrence Dallaglio scratch his head in wonder.
Many will assume that Krige’s appointment is a short-term, stop-gap measure.
They will point to the fact that in the squad for the second Test at King’s Park only Vos, Rassie Erasmus and Naka Drotske have provincial captaincy experience. Vos is only in the side because Teichmann is not, Drotske has his hands full in the hooker’s berth and Erasmus is being asked to play a different flanker’s role for this match. But if you believe that the uncapped Krige is just holding Teichmann’s coat for a Test, think again. This could be the shape of things to come.
Teichmann wanted to play in Saturday’s Test, but failed a fitness test on Wednesday. He was withdrawn by the medics, which may
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sound simple enough, but it is the kind of decision which tended to be fudged more and more frequently the longer Mallett’s side went unbeaten last year.
Assuming the Italians are walked over in repeat fashion in Durban, Mallett will have some tricky choices to make for the Test against Wales in two weeks time. Will he bring back Teichmann on the basis of loyalty or will he strike out boldly for the future and put his faith in a callow youth, albeit one who is three years older than Will Carling was when he first led a team of grizzled England veterans?
And on related matters, what happens if Japie Mulder puts in the kind of display at inside centre that Pieter Muller can only dream about? One in which he emulates all of Muller’s legendary defensive capabilities, but augments those with the knack of putting Robbie Fleck and – in the second half if not before – Deon Kayser into space.
We will know more about Mallett’s plans after half time. Rumour has it that Gaffie du Toit will replace Percy Montgomery at fullback for the second period in order to allow Braam van Straaten 40 minutes in the number 10 shirt. There is merit in the contemplation of such a move for, in a team which won at a canter in Port Elizabeth, Montgomery revealed for all to see exactly how far he has declined from the super- confident player of 1997.
But pushing Du Toit back as cover should not be considered as more than the kind of emergency move a coach might make in the knock out stages of a bruising World Cup. It should have nothing to do with the development of a young and talented Springbok team which, if it can ignore the hyper-critical attitude of a public grown weary with success, could in a short space of time make us believe that there is indeed life after Teichmann, Honiball and Andrews.