Springboks focus on key improvements ahead of Italy decider
Image: BackpagePix
Improvement in certain areas of their game plan is what the Springboks are chasing on Saturday when they take on Italy in the second and final Test match in Gqeberha.
They've identified a few key aspects, like the breakdown and set piece, where they want to do better in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10 pm start) as they look to seal the series.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus made several changes for Saturday's clash and while it could cost the team some continuity, they want to see other players get some needed game time ahead of a jam-packed season.
'We always want to build strong squad depth, and I am happy for the guys who are getting an opportunity in this game,' Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said on Friday.
'They didn't get a chance against the Barbarians or in the first Test, but they are getting that opportunity now in the second game. This will be a tough clash. Last week was our first official Test match for the year. If I look at the first half and the intensity we started with, that is exactly what we wanted.
'However, we didn't follow that up in the second half. We started up 28-3 and in the second half, we saw how they played. I said that not a lot of people have seen the growth in the Italian side under their new coaching staff. They had good results in the Six Nations.'
Stick highlighted the Italian kicking game and their dangerous outside backs as two of their main weapons. The key thing is for the Springboks is to improve their play as they head into the second Test of the season.
On the potential debuts of tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, utility forward Cobus Wiese and utility back Ethan Hooker, Stick is excited.
'Ethan has a lot of potential, the way he is playing for the Sharks. The debut of Asenathi will also be special. Ethan is a brilliant player. If you put him on the wing, he performs. You put him at centre, he performs. Hopefully, he will get an opportunity, and we make it special for them (the debutants) as well.
'If we don't give these guys a chance, why are they at the camps? A lot of these guys deserve this. We are not too worried that it will be a 'new' team. They have been part of our training sessions, and they know what the main focus point is.
'They are experienced and mature enough to understand what needs to be done. This wake-up call (in the first Test), I am glad we got it at the start of the season. There are a lot of things that needed to be fixed. But we trust the guys selected and whatever needs to be done, they will get it done.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Hot stepper! Young 'Cheslin Kolbe' goes viral at Craven Week
A South African primary schoolboy has been compared to an up-and-coming Cheslin Kolbe after a clip of him sidestepping during a friendly rugby game at Craven Week went viral on social media. Zedan Johnson of Rietkuil Primary School broke the internet with his quick 'goose steps' that has reportedly caught the eye of rugby scouts. While all eyes were on the pitch during Craven Week's fierce school rugby battle this week, little Zedan Johnson played his own game amongst his pals behind the posts. Facing opponents much bigger than him, the Rietkuil Primary learner was filmed zig-zagging with ease and speed to score a try in his makeshift game. His moves were widely compared to Springbok Cheslin Kolbe, who has been voted the best winger and scrumhalf of his generation. 'Nobody cares about Craven Week, and everyone is going crazy about this kid', posted TikTok user @brandensauerman. @brandensauerman The main event of the day😂 © 2025 [@Visua ]. All rights reserved. This video and its content are protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this material is strictly the owner gives permission #cravenweek#rugby #schoolboyrugby ♬ original sound – 1xxfootball_ Another – @samedmonds92 – shared another clip of the young player, adding 'The next Cheslin Kolbe! No DNA, just RSA!'. Media personality Siv Ngesi also reposted a clip of the schoolboy, sharing: 'Give him a Springbok contract, put a scrum cap on him, and protect him till he is ready!' @samedmonds92 The biggest game at Craven Week today! The next Cheslin Kolbe 👏🏼 No DNA, just RSA 🥰👏🏼 #fyp #foryoupage #sama28 #southafrica #springboks #viral #trending #explore #tiktok #cravenweek @South African rugby @News24 @skolerugby ♬ original sound – Sam Speaking to Stadio Higher Education in a TikTok video, Zedan Johnson revealed his favourite player was…Cheslin Kolbe! 'Because he plays like me – nice!', he said of his role model. Zedan added that he wanted to play for the Springboks when he grew up, as 'they are the greatest team'. @stadio_higher_ed We caught up with Zedan Johnson aka Small, the boy who stole the show (and our hearts) at Craven Week with that Kolbe step 🏉💫 Hear what the future star has to say! 🌟 #STADIOHigherEducation #fyp #foryoupage #trending #explore #CravenWeek #sama28 ♬ The Champion – Lux-Inspira Like Zedan Johnson, Cheslin Kolbe also once shared his dreams of playing for the green and gold team. In an EWN sports feature in 2013, the baby-faced star – then just 20 years old – spoke about his goals as a rising rugby player. The winger had just signed for the Stormers – a 'dream come true' – and, despite his small frame, was hoping to make a significant impact on the pitch. Western Province coach John Dobson lauded the pint-sized player as 'outstanding,' while Stormers coach Allister Coetzee called him a 'gifted player.' Born into a community riddled with crime and drugs, Cheslin Kolbe decided to 'take a different path'. Known for his skill as a 'side-stepper' – which he has now honed to perfection – the eager player described his ultimate goal. 'My biggest dream is to become a Springbok', he said with conviction. He added: 'It doesn't matter about size and weight. It's all about the heart and mind. You can achieve anything you think you can'. Last year, Cheslin Kolbe was nominated for the World Player of the Year Award. He also won SA Rugby's Player of the Year Award. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Bachelor to husbae: Who is Mapimpi's wife?
For the first time since winning his second Rugby World Cup title and becoming a husband and father, Makazole Mapimpi has played a Springbok game in his hometown of Gqeberha. The popular player is known for his tragic upbringing, which included losing his parents and his two siblings. Mapimpi was part of the squad that beat Italy 45-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 12 July. On social media, Springbok fans have praised Makazole Mapimpi's mesmerising performance on the pitch in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The 34-year-old was one of the men behind the Boks's impressive 45-0 defeat against Italy. He also made history by scoring his 33rd try in 47 test match appearances, making him the third-highest-ranked Springbok to accomplish the feat. For many, the proud moment was symbolic of Mapimi's 'homecoming'… Mapimpi had no doubt many South African rugby fans, including his wife, beaming with pride. Last September, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus dropped a major bombshell when he revealed that Makazole Mapimpi was both married and a father. Despite keeping his romantic life off social media, the Mdantsane-born player is married to a woman named Sasha de Sousa . Makazole Mapimpi and his wife, Sasha de Sousa. Images via Instagram: @swazisoil/ @makazoli Sasha is a well-known content creator who hails from Eswatini and uses the Instagram handle @swazisoil. According to her LinkedIn account, Sasha is the General Manager of Operations for an insurance company. Although she has never addressed being a Springbok WAG, Sasha follows her husband on IG and often likes his posts. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Springbok player ratings from 45-0 win against Italy in Gqeberha
The Boks won the second Test 45-0 but it was still not a convincing performance by the reigning world champions. Makazole Mapimpi scored one of the Springboks' seven tries against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images The Springboks beat Italy 45-0 in the second Test between the teams in Gqeberha on Saturday to seal a 2-0 series win after also winning the first Test in Pretoria 42-24 the week before. This is how The Citizen rated the performance of the Springbok players on Saturday, out of 10. Willie le Roux 6: The newest member of the Bok 100-Test club delivered an erratic performance. He made a few basic errors, but also made the kick for Edwill van der Merwe's second try. Left the action in the 56th minute. Edwill van der Merwe 8: He scored two tries, both of them excellently taken. He made some good runs in attacking play, chased the high kicks well and was busy throughout the match. Canan Moodie 6: He scored a wonderful try after a powerful run in the midfield, made some good tackles and also contributed in other defensive efforts. Sadly didn't get too many chances to show his full range of skills. Canan Moodie in action against Italy on Saturday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Andre Esterhuizen 7: It was a solid all-round performance from the centre. He made several carries, and tackled strongly, he received kick-offs well and packed down at flanker because Jasper Wiese was red carded. Makazole Mapimpi 6: He didn't get too many chances, but he made a good pass to Grant Williams for the scrumhalf's try, he won a breakdown penalty, he chased kicks and also scored a try. Manie Libbok 7: He was solid in everything he did though he missed two early kicks at goal. In the end, his distribution was solid, his kicking out of hand was decent, and he slotted five conversions. He also did some cleaning up in defence. Grant Williams 8: A very satisfying outing by the scrumhalf. He scored a try after some excellent following up, and his line break and offload led to Moodie's try. He was busy around the rucks and fringes. Jasper Wiese 4: He was only on the field for 22 minutes before getting a red card for a head butt. In that time he made some good carries, tackled strongly and got involved in plenty of the action – maybe a little too much. Jasper Wiese received a red card early in the game. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images Pieter-Steph du Toit 6: In his first game back after a long injury layoff, he took some lineout ball, carried hard at times and put in some tackles, but it was not the vintage Du Toit we have come to know. Marco van Staden 6: He busied himself at the rucks and he got stuck in all over the field for a satisfying performance. He also got pinged at the breakdown on occasion. Left the action after 57 minutes. Ruan Nortje 8: He is the new Franco Mostert … always working hard and getting stuck in all over the field. He took lineout ball, cleaned rucks, carried over the gainline, tackled Italians … all in a hugely busy all-round performance. Salmaan Moerat 6: He knocked on badly on one occasion, and also gave away a penalty at a ruck. He won a few lineouts and carried well at times. He left the action after 56 minutes. Wilco Louw 7: The Bok scrum was dominant throughout the contest, without ever really getting their reward. He scrummed well and carried nicely at times, but he also picked up a yellow card for head contact. Malcolm Marx 8: His lineout throwing was again excellent, as it was the week before. He won a breakdown penalty, carried strongly and got stuck in. He also scored a try after some excellent general maul play in open play. Thomas du Toit 5: He was pinged early on for a few mis-timed early shoves by the Boks and battled to settle. He cleaned a few rucks and carried on occasion but was surprisingly taken out of the action in the 30th minute. Bench 7: It was a better showing than the week before, with Ox Nche making a big impact at scrum time when he joined the action for Louw. Jan-Hendrik Wessels missed a number of lineout throws, but was busy in general play and he scored a try at the end. Cobus Wiese and Evan Roos carried strongly and worked hard to keep the Boks on the front foot, while Asenathi Ntlabakanye did his bit in 20 minutes to help the Boks win the game. Among the backs replacements, Cobus Reinach kicked a bit much, while he pulled off two good tackles, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ethan Hooker had few chances to do much in attack, but they helped ensure the Boks remained the dominant team until the end.
