Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has no qualms about robust flank Marco van Staden covering hooker against Italy in Turin on Saturday.
The Boks have made 11 changes to the starting lineup that beat France last week as coach Rassie Erasmus gives opportunities to squad members who have not yet played on the five-match tour.
Erasmus also wants to rest up some senior players ahead of next week’s mega clash with Ireland. That means testing the versatility of players such as Van Staden.
“Marco has been in the squad for the last couple of seasons, and there has always been a plan for him to be a back-up hooker,” Stick said. “He had game time at hooker at the 2023 World Cup (against Romania), and during the tournament, he did a lot of training and up-skilling in the position. And that has continued.
“We are comfortable having him as cover for hooker,” Stick continued. “And when he gets on the field… They don’t call him Eskom (“He puts the lights out”) for nothing. He is a very tough player and always plays with his heart.
“Also, Marco is a breakdown specialist. If you look at the challenge we are going to be facing against an Italy team proficient in that department, Marco is vital. Italy have a lot of fetchers in their team.”
It was suggested to Stick by the media at the online press conference on Friday that the Boks would struggle to “get up” to the same level as last week’s crunch clash with France.
“Italy were excellent in beating Australia last week,” Stick said. “That has given our players a lot of motivation. The other thing is that a couple of guys are getting opportunities. They have been working very hard. Guys like Handre Pollard and Canan Moodie have been waiting for their shot, and this week it has come.
“For us, whoever gets the chance to represent their country, they do not play for themselves; they play for the 60 million South Africans at home.
“This Test match is a big one for us, and the guys are motivated,” Stick continued. “If you look at the Italian team, they are getting better each week. We had a good start against them in that first Test in Pretoria (earlier this year), but in the second half, they gave us some big challenges, so you can never underestimate them.
Stick said the Boks had to keep an eye on the in-form Italy midfield of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello. The latter was the Six Nations Player of the Championship last year.
“Those Italy centres are one of the best combinations in Test rugby. They are playing very well. We have to be careful when they have the ball in hand. If you give Italians time and space, and quick ball off the breakdowns, they will punish you. So the likes of Marco and Siya (Kolisi) are vital in ensuring we get good ball.”
Stick added that while players want to impress against Italy to get a place in the squad to play Ireland, this match is no trial.
“There is no such thing when you play for the Springboks. Yes, those getting chances want to prove that they have what it takes at this level. But you can’t call playing a strong Italy team a trial. We saw what happened last week when they played Australia.
“When Italy came to South Africa, they were described as a B team, but we respected them; we did not regard them as a B team. We must also respect our players getting opportunities. We can’t be calling players like Damian Willemse and Handre Pollard, who have won two World Cups, label as being part of a B team.”
