Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe suffered a concussion on Saturday. Photo: AFP
LATEST: Springboks set for two blows this week
The Springboks are expected to be without two key players for this Saturday’s must-win game against Italy in Genoa.
Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe suffered a concussion on Saturday. Photo: AFP
At least a couple of changes can be expected to be made to the Springboks side for this Saturday’s Test against Italy in Genoa. Kick-off will be at 15:00 (SA time).
The fact that the Springboks have started their end-of-year tour with back-to-back losses means that some thoughts of team experimentation will be put on the backburner, but there are likely to be at least two enforced changes.
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Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to miss the rest of the end-of-year tour after picking up a red card on Saturday, which is sure to end in a fairly lengthy suspension.
It’s also expected that Cheslin Kolbe will need to serve out a mandatory rest period due to concussion.
One would expect there should still be enough confidence in the Springboks team to use this game against 11th-ranked Italy to hand a few more players Test experience.
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Meanwhile, the Springboks remained fourth in the updated World Rugby rankings despite losing to France in their clash in Marseille on Saturday.
France won a controversial Test 30-26 to hand the Springboks their second defeat in as many Tests on their end of year tour.
Jacques Nienaber’s men lost to Ireland in their opening clash and will take on Italy next weekend, before ending their tour against England.
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Ireland remain the world’s No 1-ranked side despite picking up no points for their 35-17 win over Fiji.
France added 0.60 points to their tally for their win over the world champion Springboks and stayed second in the standings.
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The All Blacks picked up 0.51 points for their unflattering 31-23 win over Scotland on Sunday to stay third, while the Springboks lost 0.60 points and remained fourth.
England, Argentina and Wales follow in positions fifth to seventh, while Australia find themselves down in a somewhat embarrassing eighth after their shock 28-27 loss to now 11th-placed Italy.
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THE SPRINGBOKS ARE STILL FOURTH IN WORLD RUGBY STANDINGS
1. Ireland – 90.63
2. France – 90.01
3. New Zealand – 89.15
4. South Africa – 87.81
5. England – 84.45
6. Argentina – 82.04
7. Wales – 81.26
8. Australia – 80.64
9. Scotland – 80.23
10. Japan – 77.39
11. Italy – 76.15
12. Samoa – 75.65
13. Fiji – 74.84
14. Georgia – 73.19
15. Tonga – 70.13
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