Boks ditch Steyn and tradition

Coach Heyneke Meyer has ditched Morne Steyn in a dramatic break from South African rugby tradition.

Twenty-year-old Johan Goosen has taken Steyn's place in the side to play Australia in this weekend's Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria.

Steyn has been out of touch this year, even in his goal-kicking, and while Meyer and Steyn have a lengthy association with the Bulls in Super Rugby, the fact South Africa have performed below expectations in the Championship has necessitated the change.

Goosen's selection is one of three changes, with locks Andries Bekker and Eben Etzebeth also recalled while there are concerns that an ankle injury may sideline Francois Steyn.

Goal and tactical kicking have been key elements in South African rugby throughout their history but Goosen has the potential, as does reserve Pat Lambie, to shift the emphasis in the Springbok game.

Meyer told keo.co.za that he expected Australia to try to run the Springboks off their feet.

"If you look at previous games on the Highveld, Australia have opened the game up from the start and I can't see them changing," he said.

"They'll look to keep the ball in hand and we're expecting them to start with Kurtley Beale at fly-half to help move us around in the hope we'll tire.

"I like that because it gives us a chance to isolate them and get turnovers, which is a great platform to score tries from," he said.

Meyer did not include Steyn in his reserves with Elton Jantjies as cover.

"This was very difficult, but I look at what the team needed first and then at the impact on the individual," said Meyer.

"At Loftus [Versfeld], where he has played well, it is a big call. But he [Steyn] accepted it graciously. I feel it is in his best interest that he doesn't play."

Meyer said not including Steyn in the reserves was to avoid adding to the pressure on him if he had to come on and attempt a match-winning goal.

"I either back him 100% or not," he said. "That's the decision I had to take," he said.

There was a desire to see more attacking expression from the Springboks, Meyer said, and playing at home may be the accelerant to that happening.

"We want the guys to score tries and express themselves, so hopefully the subtle changes we've implemented click into place," he said.

"We had enough opportunities to score tries overseas but didn't finish well.

"We must do that because the more we score the more the pressure builds on the opponents and the more chances we get as a result.

"I've got a good feeling about this team and believe we will play some good rugby on Saturday."

Goosen will be given the licence to play situations as he sees them.

"But this is not Currie Cup rugby where you have space and time," added Meyer. "He must determine when it is on to go wide or take the safer option.

"People have to be realistic though, you can't expect a 20-year-old to win the game on his own."