Bok energy excites Vermeulen in build-up to Scotland Test

SA Rugby Mobi-unit coach Duane Vermeulen expressed his excitement about the energy in the Springbok matchday squad named to face Scotland in Pretoria on Saturday, and admitted that while it was not the most experienced squad, they are a group of extremely talented players, and that the Boks were looking forward to the Test.

The second-round Nations Championship clash, which marks the first encounter ever between the teams at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, kicks off at 5.40pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Asked whether he thought it was a calculated risk to name a side containing only a few players with vast Test experience, Vermeulen said he didn’t think it was a gamble.

“The guys getting an opportunity to play are definitely good enough – Test caps don't really define you as a player,” said Vermeulen.

“We've got guys with fewer caps this week, but they have great energy, and then there are the calm heads of Pieter-Steph (du Toit), Jesse (Kriel) and Damian (Willemse) to settle any nerves.

“There's more excitement in the squad this week than usual and if we can direct that excitement into the right areas, we'll be in for a good game.”

Vermeulen reiterated the respect the Springboks have for Scotland, who come off a strong Six Nations campaign, in which they defeated England and France, and who defeated the Pumas in Argentina last weekend, and said they expected a tough battle despite suggestions that altitude could count in the Boks’ favour.

“A lot of their players play for Glasgow, who came to Loftus Versfeld and actually beat the Vodacom Bulls,” said the former Springbok No 8.

“They'll have a good plan coming into the game, they have a really fit and skilful side and they have mobile forwards.

“Everyone looks at their attack but they've got a really strong defence as well, which we've assessed and we’ve been working hard on, so it's going to be a tough game. They also played very well against Argentina away, as well as during the Six Nations competition.

“They're tough guys and they stay in the fight. Obviously, we want to take them on physically but they also know exactly what they want to achieve. With the new laws, you might see a Scotland side that mauls a little more than you'd expect.

“They are a resilient group of guys who work well together.”

Springbok starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Canan Moodie; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt), 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Quan Horn.