Victor Matfield is pushing back against the assumption that Erasmus's conservative Italy selection means the uncapped youngsters — Ahmed, Muller, Norton, Giliomee and others — will stay on ice for the entire November window. His reading of Erasmus is that the delay is pragmatic: players who only hit camp on Monday aren't ready to execute Bok systems by Saturday, full stop. But Matfield argues that's precisely why the France or Ireland fixtures become the more likely stage for these bolters — Erasmus has form for the counterintuitive call, and testing fringe players against top-tier opposition rather than an injury-ravaged Italy actually proves something meaningful ahead of World Cup selection.
AnalysisSpringboksPlanet Rugby
Matfield: Don't be shocked if Erasmus unleashes the bolters against France or Ireland
Matfield argues Erasmus's strong Italy selection isn't a sign the young bolters will be shelved — it's a timing call, and the France or Ireland fixtures are the more likely proving ground for World Cup hopefuls.
- Rassie Erasmus
- Springboks
- Italy
- France
- Ireland
- Rugby World Cup
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