What made Van den Berg’s return to the Bok No 9 jersey easier
TURIN — Morné van den Berg has gone from four successive Tests to club duty with the Lions and back into the Springboks’ starting side to face Italy on Saturday. The scrumhalf says the switch has been easier than the schedule suggests: the two teams use similar systems, and he feels strong despite the short breaks between matches. He will partner flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at Allianz Stadium, with Grant Williams covering scrumhalf from the bench.
An injury kept Van den Berg out for nearly three months earlier this year. Since his return, he has faced Argentina, played three Tests against New Zealand and featured against Australia before rejoining the Lions for their United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup campaigns in October. The club tour also came during a difficult period for the Lions players, who were away from their families as they mourned teammate Hyron Andrews.
The Baltimore dummy that helped settle a series
Van den Berg’s strongest case for another start came in the fourth Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore. He played all 80 minutes and scored from close range, selling a dummy before crossing himself. South Africa won the match to take the series, and Van den Berg earned the player of the match award.
Williams and Cobus Reinach remain in contention for the same jersey. Van den Berg said he welcomed that competition because it pushed all three scrumhalves to improve. Against Italy, he has the first opportunity to put that form to use in the November leg of the Nations Championship. Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery has singled out the Italian set piece and their ability to attack when given space as the threats his side must manage in Turin.
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