Jake White Raises Question Over Springboks Veterans Before All Blacks Decider

• Jake White has raised doubts over how much more some of the Springboks’ most experienced stars can physically give after three bruising Tests against New Zealand
• The 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach has highlighted several senior players who have played major roles as South Africa moved into a 2-1 series lead
• Rassie Erasmus has kept much of his experienced core together for Saturday’s Baltimore clash as the Springboks chase another victory over their old rivals

Jake White has questioned whether some of the Springboks’ veteran stars have enough left in the tank for another bruising Test against the All Blacks.

Writing for RugbyPass on 10 September, the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach reflected on the demanding nature of the first three Tests and the workload carried by South Africa’s senior players.

White was particularly impressed by Jesse Kriel, who produced another important performance in the 29-24 victory over New Zealand in Johannesburg on 5 September.

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“I wondered if Jesse Kriel’s Test career was coming to an end but the two line-breaks he made were the difference between the sides,” White wrote.

“He’s been written off time and time again and proved his doubters wrong.”

Kriel, 31, is set to start again at outside centre in Baltimore, with 93 Test caps behind him. Damian de Allende, his midfield partner, has 102 caps.

Malcolm Marx concern stands out

White then turned his attention to Malcolm Marx, another veteran central to the Springboks’ campaign.

“After a huge Series, I also wonder whether Malcolm Marx has another 80 minutes in him,” he wrote.

The hooker scored South Africa’s third try in Johannesburg after a powerful rolling maul, helping the Boks pull away during the second half.

White also grouped Marx, Kriel and De Allende with Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi as the experienced players who have repeatedly carried South Africa through difficult moments.

“They’ve somehow got the Boks over the line in the toughest of situations,” he wrote.

‘How much mileage’ do the veterans have left?

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That led to White’s central question.

“How much mileage they have left in their legs is an answer none of us can give,” he wrote.

Erasmus has largely stuck with his experienced core for Baltimore. Etzebeth is set to make his 146th Test appearance, while Kolisi will captain the side with 106 caps. Marx will earn his 92nd cap and Pieter-Steph du Toit his 101st.

South Africa lead the series 2-1 and cannot lose the four-Test contest, but a victory at M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September would secure a 3-1 triumph.

For White, the question is whether the players who have repeatedly delivered in the biggest moments can summon one more performance after an exhausting series.

Eben Etzebeth addresses Springboks’ age concerns

Briefly News previously reported that Eben Etzebeth had addressed concerns about the Springboks’ ageing core ahead of the All Blacks decider in Baltimore.

The veteran lock acknowledged that South Africa’s senior players are getting older but rejected the idea that experience has become a weakness. Etzebeth said the older players believe their experience remains a major asset.

Source: Briefly News