Boks ready to rumble against BaaBaas, says Rassie

The Herald

5 hours ago

'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.
'Italy will pose a different challenge. They did well in their first two Six Nations matches, but they are a team that we can analyse, though we will not underestimate them.
'I've seen them beat us before, so it will be an important two matches against them.
'Georgia are also a challenging team on a good day, so the key for us will be to drive our own standards.'
Erasmus said he was confident Venter would be a good fit for the Boks.
'Boan comes through the Cheetahs ranks and the junior structures in South Africa, and he has also been very consistent for Edinburgh,' he said.
'He knows what to expect from a scrummaging, mauling, and line-out perspective, so we are pretty sure he'll make it.
'We are aware he could have qualified for Scotland, but for us it's not a case of denying opportunities to players abroad.
'We select the best players we can, and with Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntutuko Mchunu nursing injuries, he was the next best player on our radar.'
Skipper Siya Kolisi said he was excited to be reunited with his Bok teammates.
'We are looking forward to the season ahead and being back in camp,' he said.
'For most of us, it's hard to say goodbye at the end of each season, so being back together and to see a guy like Lood de Jager [who is back from a long injury layoff], was also great.
'On the field, we are training well, and our sessions are close to match intensity, so we are pleased with how things are going.'
Kolisi also congratulated the Proteas for winning the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's.
'Their victory was huge, and it's great to see how whenever South Africa plays, the whole nation gets behind them,' he said.
'The way they won was also fantastic, especially since there was a point where many doubted they would pull it through, so it was an admirable team effort, and we are very proud of Temba Bavuma, coach Shukri Conrad, and the entire team.'
The Springboks returned home on Thursday to spend time with their families and will reassemble in Cape Town on Sunday for their historic encounter against the Barbarians.
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