SA’s amped forward pack were planning an explosion of power when they scrummed down against Italy in the opening Test of the season at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, Jan-Hendrik Wessels said.
The versatile forward, who has been named among the Bok replacements, is expecting a fiery duel in the first of back-to-back Tests against the Azzurri in Tshwane and Gqeberha over the next two weekends.
Though Italy are ranked 10th in the world, the Boks are not underestimating the tourists who crushed Namibia 73-6 in a warm-up last Saturday.
“I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums,” Wessels said.
“In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them.
“We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves.
“They have huge respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we want to make a big impact in the set pieces.”
With Wessels equally adept at playing prop and hooker, he said he did not mind which role he had to fill when taking to the field.
“I don’t have a preference,” he said.
“I just want to contribute wherever I am picked, and as much as I feel for Gerhard Steenekamp when he got injured, having to play both positions helped me in getting game time at prop and hooker.”
Wessels said spending time on scrum coach Daan Human’s farm in the Free State and working on his scrummaging had been tough but had helped his game.
“We had a break during the United Rugby Championship, and my parents live in Bloemfontein, so Daan offered to help me grow in that role,” he said.
“It’s the small things that make one a better player, and though it was tough, I really enjoyed it.”
Asked what he had concentrated on while working with Wessels and Asenathi Ntlabakanye on the farm, Human said: “Our focus was first to ensure that they are conditioned to scrum well, and we also worked on the fundamentals of scrummaging.
“I’ve always said you do not scrum against a machine on the field, so we try to use techniques to make the players better scrummagers in general.
“Unlike the Barbarians, who do not play regularly, Italy do, so we will be facing a proper Test team on Saturday.
“The one thing about the Springboks is that we do not underestimate any side, and we know that Italy are very focused on their forward play, so it will be a proper Test match.
“They were very competitive in their first two Six Nations matches, and they have a 93% scrum completion rate, which says a lot about that area of their game.
“They also won four scrum penalties and got a penalty try against Namibia, who had a few players who have played in Rugby World Cups before, so we certainly respect them as a team.”
Vincent Tshituka will make his Test debut in an experienced match-23 named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, with Jesse Kriel captaining the side for the first time in a Test.
Erasmus named a squad which features 13 players who defeated the Barbarians, and with regular Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out after picking up a niggle last week, Kriel retains the captaincy.
Eben Etzebeth, who is back from injury, will serve as vice-captain in the clash.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.