SPRINGBOK coach Nick Mallett defended his selectoin policies as the South African team was named on Wednesday for the upcoming Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Pretoria. Mallett claimed that the team’s lacklustre performance dictated some squad changes, and also blamed injuries for some of the more surpising moves. His selection of Johan Erasmus as No. 8 against the All Blacks when Teichmann is showing such form came under fire. Mallett noted that Erasmus has played No. 8, and can do so against New Zealand. He also noted Deon Kayser’s defensive superiority over Breyton Paulse in explaining that surprise selection.