Rassie, Springboks stoke the fire ahead of second Italy Test

IT SEEMS like Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff have turned up the heat at training over the past few days ahead of the Springboks' second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday.

- JOHN GOLIATH

The Springboks looked like deers in the headlights at times in the second half of the first Test in Pretoria, as the second-string Italians matched them in the physicality department and even dominated the breakdown.

To add insult to injury, Italy also overpowered the Boks during a second-half maul which resulted in a try. And, if it wasn't for the Boks fantastic start in the first half, the final scoreline of 42-24 could have been a lot closer.

Flank Marco van Staden, one of the few players to retain his place in the starting side from the first Test, hinted that their training sessions since the first Test have been rather tasty.

The Springboks training sessions are brutal at the best of times, as they approach it with Test intensity. Basically, it's a case of "if we can handle our own intensity, then whatever the opposition brings won't scare us".