Rassie Erasmus sets the tone for Nations Championship with power-packed lineup

Springboks coach has named a starting XV with more than 900 caps for their first Nations Championship game against England The Nations Championship does not start until Saturday, but for Rassie Erasmus the fun and games have already begun. Sometimes the simplest messages can be the most effective and Erasmus’s decision to kickstart the week with an early bang by naming a strong Springbok lineup to face England was another artful initiative by a head coach who loves to be one jump ahead. Not only has the heavy thud of a properly stacked Bok team sheet instantly set the narrative for the week, it has left England to try to play catch‑up if they can. Virtually all South Africa’s heaviest hitters – Siya Kolisi, Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx – will be there to roll out the welcome mat at Ellis Park, banishing any idle notion that Erasmus might tinker slightly for the opening fixture. Continue reading...