Rassie Erasmus Confident Springboks Will Start Strong vs Italy at Loftus

The Springboks are determined to launch their 2025 international campaign with a commanding performance when they face Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that the team’s goal is to make a powerful statement in this opening Test match. This will lay a solid foundation for the rest of their season.

Strong Line-Up to Lead the Charge

Erasmus has opted for an experienced and battle-hardened squad to face the Azzurri. He is bringing in several seasoned players who missed out on the non-cap clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town last weekend. This test will be the first of two encounters against Italy. The return leg is set for Gqeberha next weekend.

A major highlight of the selection sees the long-awaited reunion of Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager in the second row. This is their first appearance together in over two years. They replace the injured Jean Kleyn, with De Jager marking his return from a lengthy injury spell.

Another key change comes at flyhalf, where Handré Pollard steps in for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The latter is omitted from the matchday squad. Damian Willemse also makes his return at fullback, marking his first start since the Springboks’ victorious 2023 World Cup final.

Tactical Adjustments for Impact

The forward pack has been bolstered with Wilco Louw and Jasper Wiese slotting in at tighthead prop and No. 8, respectively. They take over from Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Jean-Luc du Preez. Both drop out of the matchday squad. Aphelele Fassi also misses out, as the Boks seek a more settled and robust structure for this Test opener.

Jesse Kriel retains the captaincy after leading the team in the Barbarians clash. This makes him the 67th player to captain the Springboks. Meanwhile, flank Vincent Tshituka keeps his place in the starting XV and will earn his first official Test cap. Veteran fullback Willie le Roux is poised to earn his 99th appearance off the bench.

Laying the Foundation for the Season

Speaking about his selections, Erasmus stressed the importance of establishing rhythm and cohesion early in the campaign.

“This is our first official Test of the year, and while last week’s game was useful, we need to hit the ground running,” he explained. “Italy have introduced a few new players who we’re not too familiar with. Although we’ve studied them through the Six Nations and past performances, we can’t fully predict what they’ll bring.”

He added that the experienced line-up was chosen to give the squad stability and confidence going into the season. There are plans to rotate and test more players in the upcoming Tests. This includes the return leg against Italy and the clash against Georgia.

Kolisi’s Absence Carefully Managed

Regular captain Siya Kolisi, who was initially scheduled to feature last weekend, remains sidelined due to an ongoing issue. Erasmus confirmed that while Kolisi has avoided serious injury, the team is being cautious with his recovery.

“Siya had a stiff neck last week and now some tightness in his Achilles. It’s nothing major — the scans are clear — but we want to be safe rather than sorry,” said Erasmus. “We’re not expecting any player to feature in more than eight or nine games this year, so we’re pacing things accordingly.”

Loftus Showdown to Set the Benchmark

With a powerful team, a hungry squad, and the backing of a passionate home crowd, the Springboks are aiming to make a bold early statement against Italy. Erasmus is confident that Saturday’s performance will not only kickstart their season on a high. It will also set the standard for the battles to come.