The Autumn Nations series kicked off this past weekend with England hosting the All Blacks and Scotland taking on the Flying Fijians. This weekend however we will be spoilt for choice as there are no less than 10 fixtures to keep us glued to our TV screens. Bringing with it an epic Sunday afternoon battle and a rematch of the 2023 group stage game as the Bokke will take on Scotland at Murrayfield.
The Springboks currently have an 80% win rate after a test series against Ireland, the Rugby Championship and one off tests against both Portugal and Wales. Rassie and his side will know that a three match clean sweep this November will give them a healthy season win rate of 85% and they haven't minced their words when stating their goals in this regard.
The Bokke spent last week at an intense training camp in Jersey before moving over to Scotland on Monday, ready to hit the ground running in what promises to be a high speed and intense game between the two sides. Whilst the Bokke are on an 8 game win streak, they will have taken notice of the emphatic win the Scots got over Fiji at the weekend (57-17) and will know they have their tails up leading into this fixture in front of a sell out crowd.
The Springboks have utilised a total of 49 players this season so far and have selected an immensely strong squad for this tour. The Boks lost Damian Willemse and Frans Malherbe to injury over the last weeks which has seen a recall to the squad for flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and the addition of the only uncapped player to the side, young Bulls 8th man, Cameron Hanekom. The loss of Jan-Hendrick Wessels and the utility he offered to the front row, also prompted the call up of specialist hooker, Johann Grobbelaar.
With all this in mind, now comes the tough task of whittling down a 32 man squad to the match day 23. Rassie has shown a great propensity for rotation and a horses for courses approach throughout the season. I have taken this into account when selecting my 23. I don't foresee Scotland posing a serious physical threat that would necessitate a 6-2 or higher split on the bench either.
Bok 23
Ox Nche
Bongi Mbonambi
Vincent Koch
Eben Etzebeth
Ruan Nortje
Siya Kolisi (c)
Pieter-Steph Du Toit
Cameron Hanekom
Grant Williams
Manie Libbok
Kurt-Lee Arendse
Damian De Allende
Jesse Kriel
Cheslin Kolbe
Aphelele Fassi
Malcolm Marx
Gerhard Steenekamp
Thomas Du Toit
RG Snyman
Kwagga Smith
Cobus Reinach
Handre Pollard
Willie Le Roux
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