Bok management will search for that "warrior spirit"

Saturday’s Springbok showdown may be less about being a Springbok trial match and more about the future of SA Rugby.

There is no doubt that the two “commissioners” of the two sides – SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and Bok coach Jacques Nienaber already know what they have in a number of seasoned players in the two sides.

What they are looking for – as Duane Vermeulen so aptly put it this week – is the “warrior” in the players who are not Boks at the moment.

Erasmus has often spoken about the warrior element in a player, something that he looks for and something that is inherent in any Springbok.

So while the result in the Springbok showdown may make little difference, the Bok coaching team will be more concerned about who seizes the moment and shows they have a future in a Green and Gold jersey going ahead.

Green team captain Siya Kolisi underlined this by saying this is what the teams will be looking for – the warrior spirit that can take them far in international rugby. It won’t be the normal heroics of a rugby match but something a lot deeper.

“That is all we have spoken about this entire week. That is what you want to show as a Springbok, you can forget anything else. No talent required,” Kolisi said.

“Not being scared, putting your heart in there. When you show, don’t show pain and when you make a big hit, don’t make everyone see you push the guy on the floor.

“Just give it everything you can, just wear your heart on your sleeve at all times. Take pride in what you do. That is what we are looking for, what you can do off the ball and also your workrate.

“Everything basically that is not talent required is what we are looking for. We understand that mistakes will be made and that is ok.”

'GREAT OPPORTUNITY'

A lot will be made of the match-ups, but players will rightly want to showcase their skills at the same time, and Kolisi believes there is a strong group of players who will take the field at Newlands.

“I think we have been speaking about it as a group, we want to show what we can do. The players who have been picked in the team and for us who have been here for a while to see where we are. We can keep on working to get better.

“It is a great opportunity for those who have never been here. For some players, it will be the closest they get to a test match. I’m looking forward to seeing what we have and I think we have a strong group playing here.”

And if a number of the young stars put up their hands, then the match will serve its purpose, as well as finding new warriors for the Bok cause.

TEAMS

Green team: Gianni Lombard, Yaw Penxe, Wandisile Simelane, Frans Steyn, Malcolm Jaer, Elton Jantjies, Sanele Nohamba, Duane Vermeulen, Arno Botha, Siya Kolisi (capt), Hyron Andrews, JD Schickerling, Luan de Bruin, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Reserves:

Gold team: Warrick Gelant, Rosko Specman, Lukhanyo Am, Rikus Pretorius, Courtnall Skosan, Damian Willemse, Herschel Jantjies, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nizaam Carr, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Dreyer, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff.

Reserves: Dylan Richardson, Dylan Smith, Carlu Sadie, Jason Jenkins, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Curwin Bosch, Werner Kok, Manuel Rass.

Kick off: 5pm