Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead a reshuffled Springbok side against Scotland in the second Nations Championship Test in Pretoria on Saturday.
If there is ever a season for Rassie Erasmus to sacrifice short-term perfection for long-term success, this is it.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup creeping closer, the Springboks’ priority should be on expanding their squad rather than protecting a No 1 ranking in the Nations Championship that will mean very little once the showpiece tournament begins in Australia next year.
A defeat or two over the next year will not derail their title defence if it means uncovering the next generation of Test stars and developing combinations that could prove invaluable when things matter the most.
And with the extraordinary depth head coach Rassie Erasmus has at his disposal, even a much-changed Bok side should back themselves against an in-form Scotland in Saturday’s second Nations Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld.
