Malcolm Marx has thrown his weight behind Carlu Sadie ahead of the Nations Championship clash against Wales at Kings Park on Saturday, drawing on their shared time at the Lions in 2019 to vouch for the tighthead's scrumming credentials.
Sadie, 29 and a product of Bellville Hoërskool, earns his first Springbok cap having moved from the Sharks to Bordeaux, where he was part of a Champions Cup-winning squad and established himself as a cornerstone of their scrum.
"Fortunately I scrummed with Carlu back at the Lions. I have played with him and scrummed next to him so I know very well what he can do," Marx said. "Carlu had a great season at Bordeaux, where he became a Champions Cup winner. He was very much the corner of their scrum. I am glad he's now getting his opportunity."
Marx sat out the 42-28 win over Scotland at Loftus last weekend but acknowledged that the performance left areas to address. "There were quite a few small things that we did not get right. There were also some things from the England match that still need to be polished."
Despite Wales sitting 12th in the world rankings, Marx was emphatic about the threat they pose. "They are an extremely physical side and are well drilled. They have a confrontational forward pack. Every time we have played them, it has been a tough battle. They don't go away. It will take a full 80-minute performance this weekend."