Springboks Set to Make History Against All Blacks in Cape Town This Weekend
- The Springboks will field the most capped starting XV in South African Test history when they face the All Blacks on Saturday
- Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and prop Ox Nche are set to reach significant personal milestones during the Cape Town clash
- Coach Rassie Erasmus admitted to nerves ahead of a match the Springboks cannot afford to lose if they want to win the series
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The Springboks will make history on Saturday when they take the field against the All Blacks in Cape Town, fielding the most experienced matchday 23 in South African Test rugby history.
The starting XV alone carries a combined 1012 Test caps, with 584 caps distributed among the forwards and 428 across the backline. A further 204 caps sit on the bench. The forwards average 73 caps per player, the backs 61, while the bench players average 26 — figures that reflect just how settled and seasoned this squad has become under Rassie Erasmus.
Kolisi's clearance tips the balance
The record was made possible after captain Siya Kolisi received the green light to play earlier this week, contributing his 104 Test caps to the matchday squad. His inclusion pushed the overall experience count beyond any previously assembled Springbok group.
Two Springboks will reach personal landmarks during Saturday's match. Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to become the 11th player in Springbok history to earn 100 Test caps, while tighthead prop Ox Nche will reach the 50-cap mark.
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Erasmus paid tribute to both players ahead of the occasion.
"Pieter-Steph and Ox have been pillars of strength for us on and off the field, and they both deserve these accolades," he said.
"It is a remarkable achievement to play 100 Test matches, and for Pieter-Steph to deliver week in and week out the way he has over the years is incredible. We are equally proud of Ox for the player and team man he has grown into, and to see him reach 50 Test caps is fantastic."
Erasmus takes responsibility after last week's defeat
The Cape Town Test comes on the back of a series-opening loss, and Erasmus was candid about where he believes things went wrong. "I'm taking responsibility for some of the decisions we made," he said, adding that the plan did not cost the players the game — and neither did the players cost themselves the match.
"A lot of the things we asked the players to do, they did," Erasmus said. "Luckily in this competition we've still got three chances to keep going and get our game better."
With a loss in Cape Town effectively ending any chance of winning the series outright, the pressure on the Springboks is considerable. Erasmus acknowledged as much. "I'm definitely nervous again. We're one game down, and if we don't win this game, we can't win the series; we can only draw it."
The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
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Source: Briefly News
