Boks are well covered

WHITELEY: FORMER LOOSE FORWARD SAYS SPECIALIST NO 8 IS NOT NEEDED

- Ross Roche

Former Springbok and Lions eighthman, and current Sharks forwards coach Warren Whiteley believes that the Boks don't need a specialist No 8, and that they are well covered in the position going into the first two Rugby Championship games against the Wallabies.

The Boks' only real out-and-out eighthman, Jasper Wiese, is banned for the next three games due to the red card he picked up in the second Test against Italy in July, and will only be available for the second Test against the All Blacks in Wellington next month.

In the Bok squad for the first two Tests of the Rugby Champs, the players who are likely in line to start at eight include Kwagga Smith, who is usually preferred for his impact and utility value on the bench, Marco van Staden, Siya Kolisi, Cobus Wiese and Jean-Luc du Preez.