The Boks don't plan to take their foot off the pedal in dead rubber

19 June 2017 - 16:46 By Mahlatse Mphahlele
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South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee attends a news conference. File photo
South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee attends a news conference. File photo
Image: ISSEI KATO

The Springboks may have already won their series against France but coach Allister Coetzee is not planning to take the foot off the pedal in the dead rubber at Ellis Park on Saturday

Coetzee will not make wholesale changes to the squad and he said he does not want to tamper with the consistency the squad achieved in last two weeks.

Jean-Luc du Preez is expected to start for the first time in the series at No 7 in the only change and he will replace Oupa Mahoje‚ who has been ruled after he was stretched off the field in the first half with concussion last week.

“We have the normal bruises after a tough weekend‚" said Springboks doctor Konrad von Hagen.

"The only significant injury is Oupa Mahoje with a concussion and he is out for this weekend.

"On the good news front‚ Jesse Kriel has done well in his recovery and if all goes well in the final phase of recovery he will be available for selection on Saturday.”

Du Preez earned rave reviews for his impressive performance after coming on for Mahoje in Durban and an opportunity has presented itself for him to start and claim a place in the team.

“I would like to keep the team the same as far as possible for the sake of continuity but there is also an opportunity to build capacity.

"With the performance of Jean-Luc du Preez‚ there is an opportunity for him to make sure that we build that capacity in the team.

"We don’t want to create complacency in this team by making changes for the sake of making changes.

"We have combinations going‚ we want to keep continuity as far as possible‚” said Coetzee in his first press conference since the Boks arrived in Johannesburg on Monday.

“There may be one or two other changes but definitely not wholesale changes because the French are a very good side and we respect them massively.

"This is not just another match‚ it is another important Test match for us and we must each week show progression and consistency in all departments.”

The other notable change in the squad may see Jesse Kriel‚ who has made progress in his recovery from concussion‚ start on the bench as Coetzee is expected to stick with Lionel Mapoe at No 13.

“He may find himself in the starting 23 this weekend.

"I have no doubt that he has recovered tremendously and I can’t wait to see him get another opportunity in the Spingboks again.”

- TimesLIVE

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