Springboks shift focus to Italy

FRESH off a bruising battle in Paris, the Springboks are battered but unbowed — and already turning their focus to the next challenge: Italy in Turin on Saturday.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

With sore bodies across the squad and lock Lood de Jager’s disciplinary hearing hanging in the balance, head coach Rassie Erasmus is holding off on naming his match-day 23 as the world champions prepare to do the Italian job.

Following their gutsy win over France — with just 14 men for the entire second half after the red card to De Jager — the Boks are intent on keeping their momentum rolling while managing workloads ahead of a blockbuster clash with Ireland in two weeks.

While the team should feature some mainstay faces, the expectation is that Erasmus will freshen up the side for the match at the Allianz Stadium. Rotation ahead of the duel with Ireland in a couple of weeks is necessary, while giving certain fringe players a run will keep the squad battle-ready.