Kurt-Lee Arendse is a contender to replace Cheslin Kolbe in the starting lineup when the Springboks host the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship opener in Nelspruit on 6 August.
Kolbe is expected to miss both home Tests against New Zealand after being ruled out for around eight weeks with a broken jaw he suffered in the third Test against Wales.
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According to Rapport, the Springboks are considering three players to take Kolbe’s place on the right wing for the Rugby Championship opener: Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Warrick Gelant.
Arendse’s performance in his debut against Wales in Bloemfontein has reportedly made him a strong contender for the No 14 jersey and the Bok coaches would not be afraid to back him as they did with Jaden Hendrikse over Faf de Klerk in the July Test series.
However, the Bok coaches may also go the conservative route and select Kriel to play at the Mbombela Stadium. The 28-year-old has by far the most Test caps out of the three players (52) and played right wing against Wales, Scotland and England in November last year.
Gelant has only played two Test matches on the right wing and is much more at home at fullback or outside centre.
The Springbok coaches will reportedly not consider Willie le Roux as a right wing, even though he has played there before. In the event of an injury in the Tests against New Zealand, outside centre Lukhanyo Am could be shifted out wide, as he was in the third Test against Wales.
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The post Kurt-Lee to wing it against All Blacks? appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
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