Hougaard ready to come of age

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli expressed every faith in inexperienced fly-half Derick Hougaard, who was today named in the Springboks’ side to play New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Hougaard retained the number 10 jersey in a side featuring just one enforced change from the crunch pool victory over Samoa.

Straeuli’s hand was forced when Joe Van Niekerk tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Samoans and this week flew home for surgery, opening the way for Danie Rossouw to slot in on the openside.

Straeuli insisted the side was his strongest available, indicating Hougaard has installed himself as South Africa’s first-choice fly-half after only being introduced to Test match rugby as a replacement in the opening World Cup win over Uruguay.

Now, he will direct a Springboks side in their biggest game for four years and Straeuli is convinced he is ready.

“What I do as a coach is the best for South Africa and I don’t think there are any other forces in play at the moment,” he said.

“It’s not just about the individual, it’s not just about me, it’s about the team and the players and the talent that you are developing.

“You don’t just come and throw a young Derick Hougaard into a big Test, you slowly grow him into Test match rugby. That’s basically what I have been doing, I’ve been growing a team.

“The selection is our strongest possible and is close to the teams we fielded against England and Samoa.

“Danie Rossouw was the natural replacement at seven for Joe van Niekerk and brings an exciting dimension to the position. I am confident that this squad is capable of putting in a strong performance on Saturday.”

Selborne Boome has been promoted onto the bench in place of Rossouw as back row cover.

The starting line-up features seven of the side that lost 19-11 to the All Blacks in Dunedin this August and six who were on the receiving end of a 52-16 thumping at Ellis Park the previous month.

Although it is seven Tests and three years since South Africa last beat New Zealand, they have never lost to the All Blacks at a World Cup.

The Springboks beat New Zealand in the final to win the trophy in 1995 and claimed third place in 1999, also with a victory over their long-time rivals.

“This is a big game for both teams. It is important that we play the game we want to play and focus on our strengths,” said captain Corne Krige.

“Regardless of previous performances at this event, good or bad, there is no doubt that both teams will raise the level of play, which is what we expect from the All Blacks“.