Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar will get another opportunity to cement his spot as backup No 2 when the Boks face Argentina next Saturday in Buenos Aires.
Hookers Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels should receive a proper baptism of fire against Argentina in the Springboks’ final match ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks.
The duo are the recognised hookers in the 26-man Bok squad head coach Rassie Erasmus selected for the clash in Buenos Aires, and as the back-up to double World Cup winner Malcolm Marx for the series, they have to prove they can step up.
Marx has been rested for the trip, and that places the responsibility and pressure on Grobbelaar and Wessels to keep the standards of the No 2 jersey high as they look to show Erasmus and his management that they can fill his boots against the All Blacks.
Grobbelaar should start at hooker next Saturday, and there is plenty on the line for the Bulls lineout thrower. He only featured in the Test against Scotland during the Nations Championship, and it’s an indication that the Boks prefer a versatile player as Marx’s back-up in the Test side. Wessels, who can cover hooker and prop, featured in all three mid-year matches, and that could put him in the inside lane for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
