No more mixing and matching as Springboks lock in core combinations

SPRINGBOK head coach Rassie Erasmus could've easily continued his experimentation with combinations for the first Test against Japan this Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

With it falling out of World Rugby’s international window and having only the local United Rugby Championship and Japan-based players available, the Boks resisted the urge to continue that rotation policy they had followed since the midyear matches and the Rugby Championship.

The Japanese will face an almost full-strength side apart from a few positions, like tighthead prop, where Zachary Porthen will make his debut and at fullback with Cheslin Kolbe covering for the injured Damian Willemse.

At first glance, you might have expected Erasmus to use this fixture as another testing ground.