Reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa are confident that their superior experience in the number of combined test caps and local knowledge, will be their allies when they take on Italy at the Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Springboks are staying and preparing in Johannesburg for their test match in first the international season in Pretoria. And they are keen to start their campaign on a positive note and build on last weeks win against the Barbarians.
The Springboks will once again do without the leadership of Siya Kolisi who is nursing an achilles tendon injury. However, that will not dampen the spirit in the Rassie Erasmus coached side, who are counting on a number of experienced players with leadership qualities.
Among them is lock Eben Etzebeth who will extend his record as the most capped Springbok to 132 caps when he takes to the field.
And Handre Pollard, who will start at number 10, earning his 81st cap. Pollard is well aware that the flyhalf position is not permanently his, but he says he is enjoying the competition.
