Home » South African Expat Makes RWC Debut Tonight…for the USA

South African Expat Makes RWC Debut Tonight…for the USA

The Rugby World Cup (RWC) match between the RSA and the USA kicks off in less than an hour…and we’ll probably all have our eyes on our boys in green and gold, and on one member of the USA team. Number 9. Niku Kruger. It’s a big night for the South African expat. Playing for […]

By SAPeople Contributor
03-07-18 12:33
in Fab South African Stuff

The Rugby World Cup (RWC) match between the RSA and the USA kicks off in less than an hour…and we’ll probably all have our eyes on our boys in green and gold, and on one member of the USA team. Number 9. Niku Kruger.

Niku Kruger, South African player for the USA rugby team
Source: fb/niku kruger

It’s a big night for the South African expat. Playing for his new country, America. Against his beloved old country, South Africa. It’s not an easy predicament to be in. And yet it’s an honour at the same time.

Niku Kruger, South African player for the USA rugby team
Source: fb/niku kruger

As one of Niku’s friends on Facebook wrote: “Geniet die game teen die bokke ou maat. Dink dis net so groot geleentheid as mens teen hulle kan speel.” (Enjoy the game against the #Bokke old friend. It’s a great opportunity to play against them.)

Other friends wrote similar messages, most saying: “Baie geluk Niku Kruger. Jy verdien dit. Sterkte met die game woensdag.” (Good luck Niku Kruger. You deserve it. Strength with the game on Wednesday.)

Niku was born in Pretoria, the son of well known South African actor Ben Kruger (‘Poena is Koning’), and  made his Test debut against Canada last month. He qualified for the American team through residency and plays for Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

When his selection for the USA team to play against RSA was announced a couple of days ago, Niku wrote on facebook: “Words can’t describe how I feel at this moment. Really excited for the challenge that has been placed before me. Blessed beyond measure Jeremiah 29:11”

Ben Kruger at the rugby
Photo by Alison Hughes‎: “Bumped into Ben Kruger – the headmaster from Poena is Koning – at the SA vs USA game at Olympic Stadium in London UK.”

Niku will be up against a fairly similar South African squad to that which beat Scotland on Saturday evening, as coach Heyneke Meyer has decided to maintain continuity.

There are only two changes to the Springbok team – Frans Malherbe will start his first match of the season for SA, replacing tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis; and Lwazi Mvovo takes over from JP Pietersen (who is injured) in the backline with Bryan Habana moving to right wing. Rudy Paige could make his Springbok debut from the bench.

Jean du Plessis and Victor Matfield are being given more time to get over their injury “niggles”.

Meyer says that tonight’s match against a “much-improved” USA team is a “must-win for us if we want to progress to the quarter-finals which is one of the reasons why we decided to go with continuity.”

The USA has made a whopping 12 changes to their starting line-up (since losing to Scotland 39-16), including the inclusion of Kruger. Whilst most players in the USA team are born and bred American, there is also an Australian (Matt Trouville), an Irishman (John Quill) and two New Zealanders (Shalom and Andrew Suniula).

Meyer said South Africa’s “performances against Samoa and Scotland were satisfactory, but we will have to make another step up against the USA.” (See the full team below.)

The most points ever scored by the Springboks in a match against the USA were 64 in their match during the 2007 RWC in France (64-15).

The referee is Pascal Gaüzère of France. It will be his third Test involving South Africa. The previous two matches were both won by South Africa (against Italy and Samoa).

The match kicks off at 17:45 South African time at the Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (known as the Olympic Stadium) in London.

The Springbok team to face the USA in London is:

Rugby South Africa 2015
SA Rugby team vs USA. Source: fb/springboks

Position/Name/Franchise or Club/Test Caps/Test points
15. Willie le Roux Toyota Cheetahs (30 caps, 45 points)
14. Bryan Habana Toulon (113 caps, 305 points)
13. Jesse Kriel Vodacom Bulls (7 caps, 10 points)
12. Damian De Allende DHL Stormers (9 caps, 0 points)
11. Lwazi Mvovo Cell C Sharks (14 caps, 20 points)
10. Handré Pollard Vodacom Bulls (16 caps, 133 points)
9. Fourie du Preez (captain) Suntory (73 caps, 75 points)
8. Duane Vermeulen DHL Stormers (31 caps, 10 points)
7. Schalk Burger (vice-captain) DHL Stormers (82 caps, 80 points)
6. Francois Louw, Bath (39 caps, 30 points)
5. Lood de Jager Toyota Cheetahs (15 caps, 20 points)
4. Eben Etzebeth DHL Stormers (40 caps, 5 points)
3. Frans Malherbe DHL Stormers (8 caps, 0 points)
2. Bismarck du Plessis Cell C Sharks (75 caps, 50 points)
1. Tendai Mtawarira Cell C Sharks (71 caps, 10 points)

Replacements:
16. Schalk Brits Saracens (8 caps, 5 points)
17. Trevor Nyakane Vodacom Bulls (19 caps, 5 points)
18. Coenie Oosthuizen Toyota Cheetahs (22 caps, 15 points)
19. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cell C Sharks (6 caps, 0 points)
20. Willem Alberts Cell C Sharks (34 caps, 35 points)
21. Rudy Paige Vodacom Bulls (0 caps, 0 points)
22. Morné Steyn Stade Francais (59 caps,688 points)
23. Jan Serfontein Vodacom Bulls (22 caps, 10 points)