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Springbok Green captain Siya Kolisi, Arno Botha and Bongi Mbonambi during the Springbok Green team photo at Cullinan Hotel on October 2, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy / Gallo Images)
- While the Springbok Showdown could be considered nothing more than an exhibition, the national coaching staff will monitor some players more closely.
- Flankers Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nizaam Carr and Arno Botha could reasonably be considered under the Rugby Championship, especially if overseas options are unable to do so due to quarantine logistics.
- National captain Siya Kolisi is “pleased” that the trio adds depth and wisdom to the home game.
While there is a distinct sense that Saturday’s Springbok Showdown is nothing more than an exhibition showcasing the strengths of the national team culture to up-and-coming upstarts, that’s not the case.
Not only could the match be potentially crucial for the fitness of some of Jacques Nienaber’s stalwarts, but it will give him and his coaching staff an indication as to which local players might be suitable for the Rugby Championship, if confirmed. South African participation.
That’s a very important consideration given that Rassie Erasmus, the national rugby director, noted earlier this week that Covid-19 quarantine protocols and resistance from English clubs could make it virtually impossible for the Springboks to be summoned with headquarters abroad.
“This weekend’s game is 100% an opportunity for South African rugby to show its depth at home,” said Bok captain Siya Kolisi, who will coach Team Green in Newlands.
“We’ve been talking about it as a group. We want to show what we can do. For (the more established national players), this is really an opportunity to show where we are as well.
READ | Does not enjoy the loose battle against Kolisi, Vermeulen
“To keep working and improving. For some, it may be the closest they are to a test match for now, but it will be good to see what resources we have. I think we have a very strong group in SA that is playing here.”
A perfect example of players who could be watched more closely than the rest are loose forwards Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nizaam Carr and Arno Botha.
All three are seasoned and crowned Springboks who are sure to be on a trip to Australasia, especially with the injured Pieter-Steph du Toit and the Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Dan, plying their trade in meticulous England.
“I’m very happy that we have guys like that in our system. Notshe has established a great base again in the Sharks, in the way that he just fitted in and showed what he can do,” Kolisi said.
“Nizaam, for example, has played a lot of Super Rugby before and still wants to play for the Springboks, so it’s great to have him back. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Teams:
Green Springbok:
15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JD Schickerling , 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Junior Pokomela, 22 Embrose Papier, 23 Manie Libbok, 24 Jeremy Ward, 25 Kade Wolhuter.
Springbok Gold:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Vince Tshituka, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Curwin Bosch, 24 Werner Kok, 25 Manny Rass.
