Last week, I laid out five things I hoped to see from the Springboks against Italy. Some came true, others didn\u2019t. But the one I wanted most \u2013 a 30-point demolition job \u2013 didn\u2019t materialise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Italy fielding a second-string squad missing 17 of their regulars, and the Boks unleashing a near World Cup final lineup, we didn\u2019t quite send the statement I\u2019d hoped for. So here we go again. A new week, a fresh team, and another shot to remind the world why we’re the reigning champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s be honest \u2013 we didn\u2019t scrape by last week, but we certainly didn\u2019t dominate either. The first half looked sharp, but the second half? A slump. This week, regardless of the changed lineup, I want redemption. I want the Springboks to put their boot on Italy\u2019s throat and not let up. A 30-point margin isn\u2019t too much to ask \u2013 it\u2019s a statement we need to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salmaan Moerat has a huge opportunity \u2013 and pressure \u2013 on his shoulders. He\u2019s been handed the captaincy, but the reality is that we\u2019ve yet to see a performance from him that truly stamps his authority as a top-tier South African lock. With the likes of Ruben van Heerden and Cobus Wiese waiting in the wings, Moerat must prove he belongs \u2013 both as a player and a leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rassie\u2019s selection raised eyebrows when the injured Grant Williams was chosen over the in-form Embrose Papier \u2013 and even more so when Morne van den Berg also leapfrogged him. I\u2019ve been vocal about my support for Papier, who I believe is the standout No. 9 at the moment. But now that Williams is back, it\u2019s time to see how he repays the coach\u2019s trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two games in, and the Springbok pack hasn\u2019t quite roared. Sure, we\u2019ve seen flashes \u2013 a strong scrum here, a dominant maul there \u2013 but the trademark Bok forward dominance has been missing. Against a weakened Italy side, I want the return of that feared, take-no-prisoners Bok pack that has broken teams mentally and physically over the last six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rassie made it clear \u2013 he wasn\u2019t impressed last week. This match is a golden opportunity for the fringe players to shine, and some of them may not get another shot before the Rugby Championship. The jersey is there to be earned. Now it\u2019s time to prove who\u2019s hungry enough to fight for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week is more than just a warm-up. It\u2019s a stage \u2013 and the Springboks need to put on a performance worthy of their No.1 ranking. No excuses, no stutters \u2013 just ruthless execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go Bokke!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Springbok team: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Thomas du Toit<\/p>\n\n\n\n Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker<\/p>\n\n\n\n