Former Springbok centre Jaque Fourie has backed an overhauled South Africa to break their current drought against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.
Jacques Nienaber made a total of eight changes to the team that went down 25-17 in Adelaide, handing a debut to teenage wing Canan Moodie and shifting Damian Willemse from fullback to flyhalf in place of the injured Handre Pollard.
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“In the first Test, we had plenty of opportunities to score tries and the backs would have been disappointed by what they brought to the table, so I think it’s a good thing to give the new guys a chance,” Fourie told TimesLive. “For the youngsters, it’s a step up and to see what they can do.”
Fourie, who helped South Africa win the 2007 World Cup and 2009 B&I Lions series, expects the Boks to miss the man who has since upheld Fourie’s high standards in the No 13 jersey, Lukhanyo Am.
“Being without Lukhanyo is a big loss for the Boks because he is such a solid player,” the current Lions defence coach said. “It’s nothing against Jesse, but he is not on the same level as Lukhanyo. When Lukhanyo had space against the All Blacks at Ellis Park he was very dangerous. In terms of Jesse, he hasn’t played a lot of rugby lately, but hopefully he can get in the team and make a mark.”
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Photo: Photo: Twitter/@Stormers
