Rassie’s Big Turin Gamble: Why The Boks Are Trusting Marco Van Staden To Do It All

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has never been scared of a gamble, and ahead of Saturday’s clash in Turin, he’s doubled down on one of his biggest experiments yet. Marco van Staden, one of the Boks’ most physical and hard-working forwards, will start at No 8 while also covering hooker. It’s a move that stunned some supporters, intrigued others, and perfectly sums up Erasmus’ long-game thinking.

A Risky Call With A Bigger Purpose

Erasmus made 11 changes to the starting XV that beat France in Paris, using this Italy Test as a chance to stretch the depth of his squad. But it’s the Van Staden call that grabbed the spotlight. The coach confirmed the Bulls star will once again be the back-up hooker, a role he has quietly trained for over the past five years.

Many fans may remember his unexpected appearance in the front row at the 2023 World Cup against Tonga. It looked wild at the time, but Erasmus reminded everyone that the plan has always been about building a player who can plug multiple gaps in crunch moments.

“Marco’s one of the fittest guys in our team,” Erasmus said. “He might play 60 minutes at No 8 and 20 at hooker. There’s definitely a risk, but we’re rolling the dice.”

The Bigger Tactical Picture

Locally, supporters are used to the Boks’ unconventional strategies, especially after the global debates around the 7-1 and 6-2 bench splits. This Italy match is another chance to see that playbook evolve. With a bench that can be interpreted as either a 6-2 or 5-3 split, Erasmus has built a safety net of hybrid players like Andre Esterhuizen who can slot into multiple positions.

This approach is becoming a Springbok trademark: create players who can shape-shift so the team can stay dominant even when injuries or match situations get messy.

Erasmus admitted that the Van Staden experiment could backfire. But he also made it clear that it’s the only way to find out if the Boks can unlock a new layer of versatility ahead of the next World Cup cycle.

A Nod To The Siya Kolisi Factor

Another element Erasmus highlighted is Van Staden’s position in the pecking order. Playing behind Siya Kolisi, arguably the most influential Bok captain in modern history, means fewer minutes in a settled squad. Developing him as a dual-role player keeps him relevant and adds another layer of selection flexibility.

For South African fans, this echoes the tradition of hard-working loose forwards who reinvent themselves to stay in the mix. Van Staden now joins a lineage of players asked to wear multiple hats to serve the green and gold.

Why This Matters

Saturday’s Test against Italy may not be the biggest match of the season, but it could be one of the most important for the Boks’ long-term planning. If the experiment clicks, South Africa gains a weapon few teams can match. If it fails, Erasmus already has a plan B.

Either way, the message is clear: the Springboks are evolving again, and Van Staden is right at the centre of it.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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