Meyer explains Bok backline changes
The Boks take on Argentina in their final hit-out before they travel to England for the global showpiece. After losing to the Pumas for the first time in history last weekend, Meyer admitted he had both underestimated and misread the Argentinian side’s style of play.
While injury has forced both Willie le Roux and Jean de Villiers out of contention for this weekend’s clash, Meyer chose to go with Cell C Sharks flyhalf Pat Lambie as his first choice pivot, while Lwazi Mvovo starts on the right wing and Zane Kirchner roams at fullback.
Meyer was quite clear that Lambie’s inclusion in the starting lineup was due to the 25-year-old’s sound tactical kicking – something he thinks will be invaluable in the Northern Hemisphere conditions at the World Cup.
“We have to play more tactically. The six times we’ve played the All Blacks, every single time they’ve kicked more than us. On Saturday we kicked seven times and got totally outplayed. The reason I stuck with Pollie (Handre Pollard) is that he hadn’t had a good Super Rugby so we wanted him to get his form back,” Meyer said.
“Unfortunately Pat was injured so I had to bring him from the bench and get him in slowly because there were no Currie Cup games to play. He’s played three games off the bench and now is the right time to give him a go.”
“I always believe that playing Northern Hemisphere rugby; you have to be play more tactically and it’s a pity Morne (Steyn) is not available to play as well.”
The French-based flyhalf is ineligible to play as Saturday’s Test falls outside the June international window.
Meanwhile Leinster based fullback Kirchner makes his return to the Bok fold, replacing the injured Le Roux. Meyer said he had plenty of faith in the reliable 31-year-old.
“As a coach you learn that you have stick with what you believe in and Zane has always been brilliant. Last week I wanted to start Morne at flyhalf and Pat at fullback but under the pressure I thought let’s stick with the same side.”
“Zane has always been good for us, and with Willie injured in a World Cup year you need a guy who can field high balls, who is safe and can attack as well. I just felt I needed to give Pat a run at 10, at this stage he can be our number one and it would be unfair to just move him to fullback.”
The Boks face Argentina on Saturday. Kickoff is at 21h40 - South African time.
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