National Teams

Fullback Warrick Gelant looks likely to make his Springbok debut off the bench against Italy in Padova on Saturday.

Springbok scrum coach Matt Proudfoot said it will be important to meet the physical challenge of the Italian pack when the two sides meet in Padova on Saturday.

Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith has lauded the immediate impact of Duane Vermeulen, who recently joined the squad.

Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth has a very good chance of recovering from his leg injury to lead the Springboks in their third Castle Lager Outgoing Tour match against Italy this weekend, the Springboks’ medical team confirmed on Monday.

Springbok captain, Eben Etzebeth, and hooker Malcolm Marx had x-rays on Sunday to determine the severity of injuries sustained in Saturday’s 18-17 win over France in Paris.

Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth said he and his team-mates are focussed on delivering a good performance on Saturday evening against France, when the two teams meet at the Stade de France in Paris.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has made 10 changes to the match-23 for Saturday’s Test against France in Paris, which include starts for experienced No 8 Duane Vermeulen and flyhalf Handré Pollard.

Extra seats will be installed and 3000 additional tickets per day be made available for the previously sold-out HSBC Cape Town Sevens tournament, SA Rugby confirmed on Thursday.

The Springbok Sevens team were named South African Sports Team of the Year at the annual SA Sport Awards in Johannesburg on Sunday evening.

Experienced No 8 Duane Vermeulen has been called up to the Springbok squad as replacement for Coenie Oosthuizen who sustained a serious knee injury on Saturday in Dublin.