Erasmus backs new-look Boks to deliver against Italy

THE Springboks have targeted the match against Italy as another opportunity to give some of their newly capped players a run at international level — a test to see if they can handle the pressure on foreign soil.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

FLYHALF Handré Pollard will be the general for the Springboks when they take on Italy in Turin on Saturday. He will have a couple of rookies on his outside that he must guide.

(BackpagePix)

Following last weekend's brilliant 32-17 victory over France, the responsibility now rests on the shoulders of the 23 players selected to maintain that winning momentum against the Azzurri.

With Italy coming off a strong win over the Wallabies, they'll be playing in front of an expectant crowd at the Allianz Stadium, tomorrow, (2.40 pm kickoff), which should add to the spectacle.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to his starting XV, with only four players retained from last weekend's run-on side. A rookie front row will lead the scrum, and there is no recognised hooker on the replacement bench.