Photo Credit - Gallo Images
Springbok utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt said the replacements would play a vital role in maintaining the continuity and physicality triggered by the starting team in Saturday’s opening Test against the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium.
The versatile player, who covers lock and loose forward, will earn his third Test cap if he takes the field, and he was thrilled about the challenge.
“The bench plays quite an important role because you have to lift the intensity from where the other boys left off,” said Elstadt.
“It will be expected of us to lift the intensity and physicality more.”
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Describing his style of play, the hard-working forward - who is equally comfortable playing lock and loose forward - said: “I see myself as the type of player that wants to enjoy himself. I enjoy the physicality.
“My role involves doing most of the donkey work to make sure we get quality possession and build momentum.”
“It is kind of second nature playing lock and loose forward, so I will fulfil whatever role is expected of me to the best of my ability.
“For now, I’ll probably be fulfilling Pieter-Steph (du Toit) or Siya (Kolisi’s) role, but my versatility plays a big role as well because if there is any problem, I am able to move to lock and help the team out there as well.”
Elstadt hoped his experience of playing rugby in Europe, where he is currently contracted at French club Toulouse, would be handy against some of the best players in the northern hemisphere.
“My experience in Europe makes a difference because we do play a different structure over there," he said.
“In the match we played last Wednesday (the South Africa ‘A’ team against the British & Irish Lions) one could see the European style of rugby coming through, but we know what to expect from them.”
When quizzed about his exclusion from the Springbok squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Elstadt didn't dwell on the past and said his focus was on making the most of the opportunity to face the British & Irish Lions – an honour a select group of players only receive only once every 12 years.
“Missing out on the World Cup was a big disappointment, but I backed the boys since day one until they lifted the trophy and I was proud of each one of them,” he said.
“I was proud to be part of the preparation for that.
“In terms of getting ready to face the Lions, I think every player that participated in the last few matches really stuck up their hand.
“It’s an honor for me, and I hope I can live up to the standard, and do even more going into the weekend’s match, and that I do not disappoint any of my team-mates.”