Straight after the Springboks’ ‘warm-up’ game against the Barbarians this past weekend, Rassie Erasmus explained that the selection for the opening phase of the season – which kicks off against Italy with two Tests – had been decided some time ago.
With Siya Kolisi still under an injury cloud, it remains to be seen whether he will be risked this Saturday, but the likes of Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi should be back.
Kick off is at 17:10.
HOW THE SPRINGBOKS COULD LINE UP AGAINST ITALY
Springboks – probable: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 21 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard.
Describing the eight-tries-to-one rout of the Baas Baas as “a good hit-out”, Erasmus told reporters post-match: “Overall, I guess it was satisfying but it was just a good hit-out. Now the Test matches start next week.”
“We won’t get carried away with a game like this [the Barbarians win]. It’s a festival game, and we’re playing at home against a team that only practiced a few times together,” he added.
“Italy gave Namibia [a hiding]; I know they’re not one of the Tier 1 nations but they gave them 70 points, and we saw how well they played in the first two Test matches in the Six Nations.
“I guess this match and the next three matches that we play, we’re trying to focus a lot on us because when we hit the Rugby Championship… and Georgia, will also be a grind. So I guess we want to get better.”
WHAT CHANGES WOULD MAKE TO OUR PREDICTED TEAM?
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