Erasmus picks strongest Springbok side for Italy clash in Turin
South Africa face a depleted Italy in Turin on Saturday in the Nations Championship. Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a matchday 23 with 13 World Cup winners and 1,043 Test caps, Daily Maverick reports.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named his strongest available team to face Italy in Turin on Saturday, Daily Maverick reports. The match opens South Africa's European tour in the Nations Championship. According to Daily Maverick, the selection defies all pre-tournament predictions. The Springbok matchday 23 includes 13 World Cup winners and boasts 1,043 Test caps. Daily Maverick says the first-choice side must secure a bonus-point win and as many points as possible. The Boks lead New Zealand at the top of the southern conference, but only on points difference. If they hold that position over the next three rounds, they will qualify for the final on November 29. Both teams are short of players. Italy are missing 17, including regular captain Michele Lamaro and centres Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex. South Africa's injury list includes RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Eben Etzebeth, André Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe. Rivals face similar problems. Daily Maverick reports that as many as 15…
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