Springboks very green and gold

ROOKIES GALORE: ALL OF 13 DEBUTANTS IN SPRINGBOK MATCH-DAY SQUAD TO TAKE ON WALES

The Boks have rookies galore: all of 13 debutants are included in match-day squad to take on Wales.

Inexperience at scrumhalf Rassie’s biggest concern ahead of taking on Wales in the United States.

Inexperience in the crucial scrumhalf position has been singled out as one of national coach Rassie Erasmus biggest concerns heading to their opening Test on Saturday in Washington against Wales.

Erasmus yesterday named seven uncapped players in his starting line-up just prior to their departure for the United States last night.

“I think potential-wise, not a problem, great talent, but being first-choice at the franchise and not playing a lot we might have a bit of a problem there,” said Erasmus. “But I think that we can fix that from now until the World Cup if the players perform and we are consistent in our team selection,” he said, while urging the team to lay “down a marker”.

The new players in the backline are wings Makazole Mapimpi and Travis Ismaiel, centre Andre Esterhuizen and scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl, while up front, in come lock Jason Jenkins, flank Kwagga Smith and prop Ox Nche.

On the bench there are a further six uncapped players, while lock Pieter-Steph du Toit will become the 60th Bok skipper when he leads the side out on Saturday.

Erasmus, who said “between seven and 10 but at least seven players” will also be involved in next weekend’s first England Test, said they have considered the jetlag influence by leaving so late.

“The question we had to ask ourselves if we travelled on the Sunday like the Super Rugby teams we would lose two days of coaching two teams,” he said.

“So it wasn’t like we said it’s jetlag or logistically better, but we could work with the whole group together, so the other guys who will play against England could train with us.”

Du Toit said it’s a great privilege for him to captain the side and thanked the coach for backing him for this game, saying it will be a “massive Test match” facing the challenge of jetlag as well.

“My main goal was always to become a great Springbok and becoming captain was an added bonus and it will probably only hit me after the Test,” he said.

Meanwhile, SA Rugby confirmed yesterday that Pieter de Villiers, who stepped down as Bok assistant coach shortly after his appointment, has been released from his contract to take up an opportunity in France.