Biggar rubbishes claims that Bok selection disrespects second Test

Amid grumblings that Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has behaved disrespectfully towards Wales by selecting what is effectively a brand new side, Welsh captain Dan Biggar has expressed the opposing view. 

A particular school of thought suggests that, through his selection policy, Nienaber has detracted from the honour of the occasion by not selecting his best possible XV and, instead, seeks to test the effectiveness of combinations as the World Cup looms. However, Biggar has rubbished such claims, pointing out that the move by Nienaber merely indicates the depth which the Boks currently enjoy;

“I don’t believe that, not at all,” Biggar said. “If you look at the players they have picked this weekend, you would almost say they are the real in-form players. 

“I believe the team we are playing on Saturday is probably a team that is a little bit more match sharp because they have been playing more. 

“If you look at 12 for example (Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen) he has been the in-form player in the Premiership. 

“They have swapped a World Cup winner and brilliant player in Damian de Allende for Esterhuizen and it certainly does not weaken them. 

“There are lots of changes to the team, but I don’t believe many of the changes weaken their side. 

“We are almost more wary because we are not quite sure what to expect. We know more about players like De Allende, Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi so we are little bit more cautious this week. 

“I know the side we played last weekend are renowned experienced World Cup winners,” he added. 

“But this team have (Handre) Pollard at 10, who is going to glue that together a little bit better, you would have thought. 

“They have some really exciting form players in that team. When you look at the team and the names and I heard they had made 14 changes, I was wondering who they were going to bring in. 

“When you see the teamsheet I don’t expect this to be anything other than a tough game on Saturday. 

“We make changes every autumn when we play Georgia or Fiji or whoever it is. So there is nothing in it for me. South Africa can pick who they want and they are going to be strong whoever they put out.”