50 up for Vermeulen as Springboks remain unchanged for All Blacks

The team selection is not a surprising one given that Erasmus had openly said he’d be selecting his ‘strongest’ starting XV to face Japan in their World Cup opener.  

NOW READ: Wales assistant coach sent home from Rugby World Cup amid betting investigation

There was some debate around the selection of the Springbok front row in Tokyo after Beast Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane had put in impressive shifts off the bench in their 41-7 win over the Brave Blossoms two weeks ago. 

Erasmus opted for a starting front row consisting of Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe this week and backed that decision up by highlighting the impact his reserves have had in recent performances. 

“Nowadays the game consists of 23 players and with the bench, it is very seldom that the front row players only get 10 or 15 minutes, they now get close to 30 to 40 minutes. The way Bongi, Trevor and Beast played for us in Wellington produced some moments that swung the game for us and managed to get us back in the game for a draw,” Erasmus said. 

“New Zealand are always pretty tough for the last 25 minutes with their fitness.”

 50 up for Vermeulen

The occasion will carry extra significance for Springbok number 8 Duane Vermeulen, who will earn his 50th Test cap for South Africa.

ALSO READ: Du Randt to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame

Seven years after his debut, Vermeulen will become the latest Springbok half-centurion and surprisingly didn’t realise this match would mark the milestone during his pre-match interview. 

“It’s pretty cool, I didn’t even know that so it’s nice to hear it,” a smiling Vermeulen said. 

“We haven’t even spoken about it, it’s not a big thing in our team. Maybe it’s a special thing for you as a player but in the squad we are trying to focus on what we need to do come the weekend” 

“It’s very special, I’m looking forward to it and hopefully things go your way. I played my first Test and we couldn’t get a win so hopefully the 50th can be a lucky one.

Vermeulen is no stranger to the Springbok-All Black rivalry and given their most recent result, a draw in Wellington just over a month ago, the number 8 is expecting their opponents to bring something new to the clash.

ALSO READ: Boks expect the unexpected from 'evolving' All Blacks

“It’s first game of the tournament for both teams so they might have something new, we might have something new, you never know. We tried to prepare as best we can and hopefully we’re prepared for what they throw into the fire.” 

Coach Erasmus echoed those sentiments when asked about the magnitude of the looming match in the context of his career.

“It’s massive and there are a lot of emotions going into it. I played against the All Blacks in the World Cup in 3rd/4th playoff in 1999. Then I coached against them prior to the World Cup in 2011 and then obviously the last few Test matches in the Rugby Championships in the last two years,” Erasmus said. 

“Emotions are ranging from excitement to nerves to pride. This is a big game for us not just in terms of advancing to playoff mode but also just the history between us and New Zealand. There’s a lot of stake in terms of pride and respect between the countries. 

Springbok team (15-1): Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff. 

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Beast Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel.

Catch up on the latest Rugby World Cup updates powered by Hollywoodbets:  

Photo: Steve Haag Sports via Hollywoodbets