BLINDSIDE MOVE

RASSIE Erasmus has pulled another rabbit out of the hat after selecting suspended Jasper Wiese’s kleinboet, Cobus, at No.8 for the Springboks’ Test match against Georgia in Nelspruit.

The Bok coach again made a vrag changes (10) to his starting team, which will see Cobus, normally picked at lock or blindside flank, alongside captain Siya Kolisi, who returns from injury, in the No.6 jersey.

Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche will also be making their official Test debuts in an entirely changed front row from the one that destroyed Italy in their 45-0 win in Gqeberha at the weekend.

After a disappointing first Test against Italy in Pretoria, Eben Etzebeth also makes his return to the starting team, while in the backline, Aphelele Fassi, Damian de Allende, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Kurt-Lee Arendse have been picked to start.

But eyebrows would certainly have raised about Erasmus’ brave call to slot in Cobus at No.8, after his ouboet, Jasper, got himself skorsed for four games after headbutting an Italian player in Gqeberha.

Of how the weird selection is part of their plans to test the waters ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Eramus said: “Building squad depth has been one of our pillars as a squad since 2018, and they [players] are all undoubtedly ready to make the step-up.”

Zoning in on his selections, the Bokke boss added: “We know how passionate and intense this Georgian side is, and they will be determined to make a strong statement, so we selected some experienced players who we would like to get more game time, and a few of the younger players, who have put up their hands another run, so we are pleased with the balance we have in this group.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus loaded his bench with experienced campaigners and would want to see Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith raise their games after failing to make an impact in the first Test against Italy.

Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse will also provide strong cover off the bench.  

BOKS v GEORGIA: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (capt), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Vincent Koch, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse