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Bok coach compares Goosen to Barrett

Cape Town - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee says the inclusion of Johan Goosen at fullback for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Nelspruit gives the team "nice balance".

Goosen will play his first Test for the Boks since November 2014, replacing Willie le Roux who has been omitted from the squad, while Jesse Kriel will provide cover off the bench.

After naming his side on Thursday, Coetzee explained the inclusions of Goosen and Kriel.

“During the inbound series (against Ireland), we focused on local-based players from South Africa. But we lacked a bit of right-footed kickers and here we have an opportunity to play Johan and Jesse,” said Coetzee.

“It gives us that balance, with our halfbacks, Faf (de Klerk) and Elton (Jantjies), being two left-footed kickers... Goosen and Jesse Kriel are the right-footed kickers in the side which brings a nice balance.”

Goosen’s versatility is vital for the Boks, Coetzee insisted, comparing him to New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, who is equally adept at flyhalf and fullback.

“When people watch New Zealand rugby, they look at Beauden Barrett. He slots in everywhere, fullback and 10 (flyhalf)... we’ve got a similar type of player in Johan Goosen who is really quick off the mark, he’s got unbelievable running skills, he’s got aerial skills second to none and he kicks the ball a mile.

“I’m really happy to have selected Johan at 15 and I’m looking forward to him playing at 15 for us this weekend.”

Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Mbombela Stadium is scheduled for 17:05.

Teams:

Springboks

15 Johan Goosen, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23, Jesse Kriel

Argentina

15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (captain), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro

Substitutes: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Felipe Arregui, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Ramiro Moyano

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