Coenie Oosthuizen was the first, before Trevor Nyakane and Thomas du Toit were also switched from the left to the right side of the scrum...
Coenie Oosthuizen was the first, before Trevor Nyakane and Thomas du Toit were also switched from the left to the right side of the scrum.
It was because of a shortage of tightheads in the country, but also because the Boks were looking for more dynamic players in the No 3 jersey who can scrum, tackle, carry and even make the odd 'behind-the-back' pass.
That project has to a large extent been successful, with Oosthuizen being a mainstay in the Bok No 3 jersey in 2017 before he suffered a serious knee injury against Ireland in November.
Nyakane had a few decent games in Super Rugby before injury curtailed his season, while Du Toit was impressive when he came off the bench against England in June.
So, now coach Rassie Erasmus has an embarrassment of riches to choose from in the No 3 jersey, as original tightheads Frans Malherbe and Wilco Louw are also playing great rugby.
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