Tempting as it might be, taking part in as people towards Munster is not going to serve South Africa ‘A’ and so they know a correct staff effort will go a lot additional in impressing the nationwide selectors with a watch of breaking into the Springbok squad.
That was the unequivocal message from SA ‘A’ assistant coach Bafana Nhleko and staff captain Thomas du Toit on the eve of their match towards the Irish province on the new and offered out Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday (kick-off 21h30 SA time).
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Du Toit – one among 14 capped Springboks within the aspect – had a brief stint with Munster six years in the past and is aware of all in regards to the ardour and custom of the aspect, and he warned his team-mates that cohesion can be paramount towards a number staff that additionally characteristic plenty of internationals.
“This is a great opportunity for everyone in the team, to throw our names in the hat to play for the Springboks,” mentioned Du Toit. “Some of us have been there before and it’s everyone’s dream to be in the Bok squad, but we will have to find a balance between showcasing our talents and playing as a team. If we can win the match, everyone will look better, and we fully understand it.
“Munster won’t roll over, they have a great team and we’re expecting a wonderful game. We’re not going to be naïve, we know what this means to them and I’m sure Ireland’s victory over the Boks will give them some advantage, but this is a new game between new teams and all of us as very excited about this opportunity.”
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Nhleko, who can also be the Junior Springbok head coach, echoed these sentiments.
“These guys understand that these games provide an opportunity for them to show the national coaches what they can do, and the message is that they must try and knock the Bok door down and make it difficult for the selectors to ignore them.
“But we need to work together if we want to be successful, and the players’ attitudes have been great – both the first-timers and the more experienced players. They have gone above and beyond this week to prepare for the game.
“We’re playing against a side with seven internationals and a few players who featured for Emerging Ireland recently and we will show them respect, but our first priority is to get the result, without complicating things for ourselves and get synergy in how we want to play.”
With hostile circumstances predicted for Cork on Thursday evening, with wind and rain anticipated, Du Toit mentioned they are going to be prepared.
“We trained in similar conditions this week, perhaps not quite as windy, but it’s the same for both teams and we are raring to go, and it will be up to both sides to roll with the punches best tomorrow night,” mentioned Du Toit.
Meanwhile, Nhleko additionally mentioned he and his fellow SA ‘A’ assistant coaches, Joey Mongalo and Wian du Preez, loved working with head coach Mzwandile Stick and the Springbok administration in Dublin final week.
“Mzwandile has been phenomenal in leading us this week and it’s been a great privilege working with the Springbok coaches, to align with them and get good synergy,” mentioned Nhleko.
“We were like kids in a candy store, but we took in a lot of information last week and it’s something we can definitely take forward with us, but working with this bunch of players is also very exciting.”
The South Africa A staff contains 14 capped Springboks
South Africa A – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Dan du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Gianni Lombard.
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Meanwhile, Malakai Fekitoa and Simon Zebo are among the many handful of internationals who will characteristic for a robust Munster aspect towards South Africa A.
Munster – 15 Mike Haley; 14 Shane Daly, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Simon Zebo; 10 Ben Healy, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (c), 5 Kiran McDonald, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Roman Salanoa, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley.
Subs: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Liam O’Connor, 18 Keynan Knox, 19 Cian Hurley, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Patrick Campbell, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.