Nienaber's seen enough as Boks back Moodie to shine at 13: 'He's up for the challenge'

Canan Moodie's move from wing to outside centre for Friday's warm-up Test against the All Blacks in London would be a test of faith for some, but Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber believes otherwise.  

Moodie played in the position while at school at Paarl's Hoër Landbouskool Boland, but hasn't played there at senior level. Well, a debut in midfield for the Boks, against the All Blacks no less, will be quite the baptism.

Moodie steps in for Jesse Kriel, who played well in last week's 52-16 win against Wales in Cardiff and has been given the vote of confidence by Nienaber.

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The Bok coach said on Monday that they've trained Moodie enough at No 13 and seen enough of him in the position to know that he'll fit like a glove, despite the excellence of those New Zealand backs.

"Canan is now a back-up 13 ... we have other options we can play there and we've done that," Nienaber explained.

"Jesse's played there and he's in form and we've moved Damian de Allende to 13, something we've done before.

"Lukhanyo is injured and is probably still two weeks away from being fully fit, so, with that in mind, we've trained Canan there and operated there.

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"It's going to be a nice challenge for him playing against a quality backline on the weekend.

"We know we've seen him on the training field, and he's been comfortable. I know there have been adjustments and he'll be facing a top outside centre in whoever the All Blacks pick.

"I truly believe he's up for the challenge."

Bok utility back Kurt-Lee Arende, who may be slightly older than Moodie but grew up with him in Paarl and plays with him at the Bulls, also expects Moodie to