Davids on Boks doubling down on Dweba starting: He gained experience in pressure situations

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids tried to detangle the web of confusion around the doubling down on starting inexperienced hooker Joseph Dweba ahead of Malcolm Marx.

In just his third international outing, Dweba started against the All Blacks in the Ellis Park defeat despite reserve Malcolm Marx having a stormer in the 26-10 victory in Mbombela, a move the visitors admittedly targeted.

Dweba lasted just 30 minutes before being mercifully ejected by head coach Jacques Nienaber after struggling in the lineout and general play.

The maul couldn't get going either, while Dweba couldn’t exert his usual physicality on the New Zealanders for his brief appearance.

The Boks have repeated the trick that failed to bring desired results, according to onlookers outside the inner workings, by selecting Dweba to start against the Wallabies in Adelaide this weekend and Marx again benching.

Davids, however, saw the exercise as being important for Stormers-bound Dweba to gain experience in high-pressure situations.

"We're glad for the opportunity that Dweba got in the [All Blacks] game," Davids said.

"When you look at the contribution he makes in different departments, that is as important for us just as throwing, scrumming or kicking is important.

"If you look at these games and the pressure situations, a hooker will always be in a situation where they make a loose throw here and there.

"We're just glad he got an opportunity to play against such a quality side in such pressure conditions and do well.

"That's the reason we are looking forward to him getting another opportunity to build his experience against great teams."

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