Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has singled out uncapped wingers Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams ahead of their Test debuts against Wales at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday, describing their adaptability to the Springbok environment as the key factor behind their selections.
The pair are two of four uncapped players in the matchday 23. Moyo, 19, made just one URC appearance this season, while Williams, 21, managed six Sharks outings in the most recent campaign after two the season before. Stick is clear that volume of club minutes is no longer the primary selection criterion.
"A guy like Vusi has probably only played one URC game and all of a sudden now he's making his Test debut. Sometimes you don't have to play 50 URC matches to become a Springbok; you get rewarded off how you handle our system," Stick said.
Moyo was part of the Junior Springboks squad that won the World Rugby U20 Championship last year and was expected to return for this year's tournament before the senior call-up intervened. Stick cited his mindset as exceptional for his age. "Some of these youngsters the way they are so mature already. I think about myself as a 19-year-old; there's no way I can compare myself to where Vusi is currently, mindset-wise."
For Williams, Stick drew an explicit parallel with Makazole Mapimpi, noting that the winger hails from Somerset East — a region that has not produced a Springbok since 1955 according to Stick's own research. "You look at Makazole Mapimpi's story, I think Jaco Williams' storyline and where he comes from, you wouldn't think that a Springbok comes from that region. I think Jaco Williams' story is one for the future — it's going to be something special to talk about."
Stick also referenced Carlu Sadie as another example of the model, noting the coaches tracked him through the Junior Boks system long before his move to France brought him wider recognition.
On team stability, Stick indicated no late changes are expected after last-minute alterations preceded both the Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld matches earlier in the Nations Championship.