Rassie’s New Look Boks Aim to Dazzle as Italy Face the Heat in Pretoria

Boks Turn Up the Heat in Pretoria as Italy Await the Storm

There’s something brewing on the Highveld — and it’s not just Pretoria’s dry winter air. Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a Springbok team that signals the dawn of a new era, with attacking rugby now firmly at the heart of South Africa’s strategy. The Boks are no longer just here to grind out wins. They’re here to entertain, evolve and, as Erasmus put it, stay ahead in a game that won’t wait for anyone.

After running riot against the Barbarians 54-7 last weekend in Cape Town — in heavy rain, no less — the Springboks head to Loftus Versfeld for their first official Test of 2025, with Italy standing in their way. Erasmus has kept the core of last week’s squad, signalling clear intent: this is not just another warm-up match. It’s a blueprint for the future.

More Than Just Muscle: Boks Embracing Flair

The big headline this week isn’t who’s in the team — it’s how they’re playing. With attack guru Tony Brown now firmly embedded in the coaching setup, there’s a noticeable shift in how the Boks move the ball.

“This team will not go back to the 2019 version,” Erasmus said. “We’re not here to just kick and chase anymore. We want to move the ball, offload, create space — and we want to do it at Test level.”

Against the Barbarians, glimpses of that new attacking identity were on display despite the soggy conditions. Now, with Loftus’s fast, dry turf, Erasmus and co. are ready to let the horses run.

Familiar Faces, New Energy

Handré Pollard returns at flyhalf, bringing control and calmness in the No. 10 jersey, while Damian Willemse reclaims his spot at fullback — his first appearance since that unforgettable World Cup final in Paris. Aphelele Fassi and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu step aside, but the message from Erasmus is clear: this is a rotation, not a rejection.

Jesse Kriel will lead the side once again, and he’s earned it.

“He’s the fittest guy in the squad, and he’s become a complete player,” said Erasmus. “Defensively, he’s always been strong. But now he’s added attacking layers — the grubber, the offload, the hand-off. He’s doing it all.”

Kriel leads a powerful backline that includes Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and scrumhalf debutant Morné van den Berg — a balance of speed, skill and strength.

Don’t Underestimate Italy

The Springboks might be fan favourites at Loftus, but Rassie isn’t taking the visitors lightly.

“This is not the Italy of old,” he warned. “They’ve got structure now, a strong kicking game, and they bring real physicality.”

Under new coach Gonzalo Quesada, the Azzurri have moved away from their unpredictable, free-running past. They’re now more composed, more strategic — but still just as passionate. Erasmus knows the dangers, pointing to their strong showings in the 2024 Six Nations and reminding fans of how close things were in their 2019 World Cup clash.

A Strong Start Matters

More than anything, Saturday’s Test is about momentum.

“This is the first proper Test of the year,” Erasmus said. “We want to set the tone early. That’s why we’ve kept so much continuity from the Barbarians game.”

With Loftus set to be packed and buzzing, it’s the perfect stage for the Boks to showcase their next evolution.

Social media is already abuzz, with fans praising the team’s attacking mindset. One user wrote, “Haven’t been this excited for a Boks Test in years — let’s go!” Another joked, “If Jesse Kriel keeps this up, we might have to start calling him Krielio Messi.”

Whether the flair lives up to the fanfare remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: these aren’t your 2019 Springboks anymore. They’re faster, bolder, and hungrier — and Italy better be ready.

Springboks vs Italy: Matchday Squad

Starting XV:
15 Damian Willemse
14 Cheslin Kolbe
13 Jesse Kriel (captain)
12 Damian de Allende
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
10 Handré Pollard
9 Morné van den Berg
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Vincent Tshituka
6 Marco van Staden
5 Lood de Jager
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nché

Replacements:
16 Bongi Mbonambi
17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
18 Vincent Koch
19 RG Snyman
20 Franco Mostert
21 Kwagga Smith
22 Faf de Klerk
23 Willie le Roux

Source:IOL 

Read More: One ticket, Two lives: How a Springboks Fan’s Kindness Gave a Homeless Man the Match of a Lifetime

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