The Springboks are keeping their feet firmly on the ground, despite flooring the Barbarians this past Saturday, as they head into their first Test week from Monday.
After a rousing 54-7 victory at a wet and muddy DHL Stadium in Cape Town over the Baabaas, the world champions have set their sights on the double Tests against Italy, starting with Saturday’s opening encounter at Loftus Versfeld.
Lock Jean Kleyn is the only reported serious injury. He has been withdrawn from the squad and will return to his club side Munster where he will undergo rehabilitation. Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said they have enough locks to cover for Kleyn, and he won’t be replaced.
“We feel for Jean,” Erasmus said.
“But injuries are part of the game, and we are fortunate to have good depth at lock within the squad, so there is no need for us to replace him at this stage.”
Despite the loss of Kleyn, Erasmus will still have a strong player-base to choose from ahead of the first Test. He indicated they would announce two squads for the Italy series with a core group of players involved in both matches.
The squad for ‘Italy 1’ will focus on this weekend’s match, while ‘Italy 2′ will focus on the second Test in Gqeberha next weekend.
“The players have a fairly good idea who will play Italy 1,” Erasmus confirmed.
“Those who played against the Barbarians knew two weeks ago already that they were in the team, so they had two weeks of training together. On Sunday evening we will announce the two sides for Italy.
“That always comes with a caveat, because if things don’t go according to plan, Italy 2 can always change. However, we do know who the core guys are. The 14, 15, or 16 playing this coming weekend, but that is not position-specific.
“Some guys, though, showed us that they can do it at this level,” Erasmus added, referring to some of the uncapped players who put their hand up. “But we will layer them in to ensure there is a balance.”
The Bok coach wants to see his squad strike a balance so that, after the Georgia Test (19 July in Nelspruit), they have a group of 45-50 players who have had some game time ahead of the Rugby Championship later this year.
Erasmus emphasised that they can’t get too carried away with the runaway victory, although there were enough positive moments to build their season on.
“To get 50 plus points in this weather and conceding only seven is really positive. But you must stay in reality and compare apples with apples. Next week will be Test. Yes, Italy may not be sending their strongest side. They put 70 points past Namibia, although Namibia is a second-tier nation, and they performed well in a couple of Six Nations matches.
“Sometimes squad depth is a bit tough for them because they only select from two clubs. We won’t get carried away with this festival game. Certain things did come through.”
Erasmus confirmed loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit will be available for selection from the second Test. Regular captain Siya Kolisi should also be fit to play after withdrawing from the Baabaas clash with a stiff neck.
