Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that he plans to mix and match with selections throughout this season, and it seems like that policy will come into effect from game one against the Barbarians this Saturday.
All indications are that Erasmus will balance first-choice players with some newcomers in his team selection, while also identifying this clash as an opportunity to get Japan-based players back up to speed considering their League One season ended a while back.
Interestingly, Siya Kolisi is expected to be named in the starting line-up along with the likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Jesse Kriel as the Springboks clearly won’t be taking this game all that lightly.
Erasmus is also expected to give Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg a start, and he could partner Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in an exciting halfback pairing.
HERE IS HOW WE THINK THE SPRINGBOKS COULD LINE UP AGAINST THE BARBARIANS:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Looking ahead at their forthcoming matches – the first of which will be their first ever match on home soil against the Barbarians – Erasmus said: “We wanted to play against them, and we know it will be a good test for us. They are a team that enjoys playing what they see, but the focus for us in that match will be on our structures.
“They have included some very experienced campaigners and great players in world rugby in their squad, so it will be a good assignment for us to get back into the swing of things at this level.”
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PLAY IN THE SEASON-OPENER?
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