Bok coach on why Dweba starts ahead of Marx: 'There's a tactical and technical reason'

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says the reasoning behind Joseph Dweba starting ahead of Malcolm Marx at hooker is a "technical and tactical" decision they discuss with the players and the team.

Dweba, who had a nervy outing against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 13 August, has again been entrusted with the No 2 jersey for Saturday's Rugby Championship outing against Australia at the Adelaide Oval (07:30).

Marx, who started the Mbombela Test against the All Blacks and also did well in the following game against the old enemy in Johannesburg, will again feature on the bench.

READ | Springboks keep faith in Dweba for Wallabies, Gelant starts as 6/2 split is benched

Nienaber said the players are comfortable with how they do things as a group and nothing is left to chance from a communication perspective.

"We see the starting and bench front rows as units and not necessarily that so and so is number one," Nienaber said.

"There's a tactical and technical reason as to why we select them in the way that we do. We wouldn't like to go into too much detail and give away our game plan.

"There's a reason for that and the players know it. So long as they know and buy into it, it's an open and honest discussion in terms of how we do things.

"The players are happy and comfortable with it and so are we."

Nienaber's choice of starting hooker for the All Blacks Test, and the timing of the Dweba substitution in the same game, came under scrutiny.

Nienaber defended his stance, saying there were particular tactical boxes their players needed to tick, and if their said goals are achieved, they are subbed.

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Warrick Gelant, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane