Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made a total of 13 changes to his side for Tuesday’s 12.15pm final Pool B clash against Canada.
The Springboks all but secured a place in the tournament’s quarterfinal when they beat Italy 49-3 on Friday.
But they have one assignment left before they can start thinking about the playoffs and that is the Canucks.
For the clash, Erasmus will give his fringe players a chance to shine, with Stormers utility back Damian Willemse getting his first taste of World Cup action after replacing the injured Jesse Kriel.
Despite making the hele se changes, Erasmus expects his side to play with the same intensity as the “first team” did when they hammered Italy.
RINGING THE CHANGES: Erasmus. Picture: Mark Cristino/EPA.
The coach explains: “Our team’s make-up is a bit different [to the one that beat Italy]. [But we] expect the same intensity in all four our next games.
“It doesn’t help we get a good score and we don’t improve.
“One of those [aspects that we must improve on] is intensity and big moments.
“If this team doesn’t match that or step up, they know they run the risk of not making the team [for the knockouts]. It is one of the things you must do if you want to make the team.”
Of including Willemse at 15, the coach adds: “He [Willemse] is match fit, having played for Saracens. He is much more comfortable at 15 and Warrick Gelant has played on the wing before.”