Nienaber not overly concerned by Bok flyhalf injuries: We give chances to young players

In Durban

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber dispelled the notion that they require a bunch of flyhalves to ease injury concerns, especially considering their current pivot crisis.

Fran Steyn will be their fourth choice of flyhalf when he starts at 10 against Argentina at Kings Park on Saturday.

Injuries to Damian Willemse and Handre Pollard, along with Elton Jantjies's absence from the team, means Faf de Klerk must deputise as the reserve 10 on the bench.

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There's no question about Steyn's ability as a 10 and a rugby footballer, the length of his career proves that, but the use of the alignment to get other flyhalves up to speed now comes into the spotlight.

Nienaber preferred to trust their processes, saying that they'd rather focus on working with a smaller group of specialist 10s so they can give them the best possible attention.

"If one goes the route of taking five specialist 10s to a training camp, there's also the unlikely possibility of using five specialist 10s," Nienaber said.

"At a World Cup, you can take two specialist 10s and your next back-ups within the squad will be guys that cover there for you.

"Most teams are made up like that and even if we took five 10s to an alignment camp, when you look into the time and effort we put into a player, it doesn't always make sense.

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Frans Steyn, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19