The Vodacom Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Johan Ackermann as head coach.
Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche will all make their Springbok debuts against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday as double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns from injury to take over the captaincy for first time this season in an exciting squad named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for the final Castle Lager Incoming Series match at the Mbombela Stadium.
Springbok No. 8 Jasper Wiese has received a four-match suspension following a World Rugby disciplinary hearing held on Tuesday.
Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams was delighted to be back on the field for the first time in three months after recovering from a neck injury and said it was fantastic to see their game plan come together in what marked the team’s third victory in a row.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus declared himself “fairly happy” with a 45-0 victory over Italy in the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Gqeberha on Saturday as he looked to refine his plans for the coming season.
The Springboks secured an emphatic 45-0 victory over Italy in the second test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, scoring seven tries despite playing with a man down for nearly 60 minutes.
Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick expected an epic battle against Italy in the second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, and said they needed to “fight fire with fire”.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok and flanker Marco van Staden were full of praise for Willie le Roux, who will become only the eighth player in South African rugby history to play 100 Tests on Saturday, and said it motivated the team to make it a special occasion for the experienced fullback and the other players celebrating important milestones.
Willie le Roux will become the eighth Springbok centurion on Saturday when South Africa meet Italy in the second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, in a new-look team which will be led by Salmaan Moerat and includes three uncapped players on the bench.