Rassie Erasmus expects a switched-on performance from a new-look Springbok team that he believes has the depth and combinations to handle a dangerous Scotland side.
“We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team,” said Erasmus on Monday after announcing the Bok line-up to face the Scots in their Nations Championship clash at Loftus on Saturday.
Ten players from the match 23 that beat England 45-21 last week have been retained, among them Jesse Kriel, Damian Willemse, Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortje and skipper Pieter-Steph du Toit, who all keep their starting spots.
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Canan Moodie moves up from the bench, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Zach Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon and Grant Williams have been named among the replacements.
“We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season, while we are also trying to manage some players, while others are not available for selection this week,” Erasmus said.
“So it was important to select a team with some continuity from last week, while bringing in players we believe will be the right fit for what we are expecting from Scotland.
“They had a good Six Nations campaign, and they come off a victory against Argentina away, so they will be psyched up going into this match.”
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Erasmus has reshuffled his backline, with Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe and Moodie forming the back three, Kriel and Willemse combining in midfield, and Handré Pollard and Embrose Papier running things at halfback.
Up front, Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw make up the front row, with Cobus Wiese joining Nortje in the second row. No 8 Evan Roos will pack down in the loose trio alongside Du Toit and De Villiers.
“All of the players have been working extremely hard at training, and they are fully aware of the threat Scotland poses. Many of these combinations have played together for the Springboks and for their provincial teams this season,” Erasmus added.
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“Many of the players will also be playing at their home ground at Loftus Versfeld, so they know the field and conditions well.”
Turning to the opposition, Erasmus was under no illusions about the challenge Scotland present.
“They are a quality team, who will test us in all areas of the game, and they are well coached, so they will throw everything they have at us,” he said.
“Matches against them are always tough, and looking back, there have been some very close encounters between the sides in the past, so we need to be switched on from the first whistle, be accurate in all departments of the game, and use our opportunities if we want to get the desired result.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Rassie finds the ‘right fit’ to face Scots appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus expects a switched-on performance from a new-look Springbok team that he believes has the depth and combinations to handle a dangerous Scotland side.
The post Rassie finds the ‘right fit’ to face Scots appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
