FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE

RASSIE Erasmus wants to see his ‘jong’ Springbok team fight fire with fire and sit Italy ’n kop aan in Saturday’s second Test match that kicks off at 5.10pm at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Following a disappointing performance in the second half of their 42-24 win in Pretoria against an inexperienced Azzurri span, without a vrag of their stars, Bok boss Erasmus wants his rookies to maak die saak reg innie Baai.

With Erasmus showing he is not afraid to druk the snoeisker in after selecting three uncapped players, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker on the bench, the head coach has also handed spoedvraat Edwill van der Merwe his second cap on the right wing.

Italy outplayed the Boks in the second half at Loftus, as the visitors bossed the breakdown and even mauled the Bokke 20 metres upfield to score a try.

En dit met hulle hele "Bomb Squad" on the field.

This time around, there is no Bomb Squad bench but Erasmus believes his rookies can catch Italy off guard with the unknown factor.

Erasmus explained: “We had a very experienced team for our first Test and although it is tough for the opponent, it also makes it easier for them to prepare because they know the strengths and weaknesses of those guys.

“For us, it was difficult to target Italy’s strengths and weaknesses because we were unfamiliar with the players.”

One rookie who wysed he is gereed to take his chance is ex-Stormers wing Van der Merwe who replaced yster Cheslin Kolbe in the team.

Van der Merwe made a try-scoring man of the match debut in last year’s 41-13 win against Wales at Twickenham, before an injury saw him dropped from the Bok squad.

And of backing up that debut and proving hy’s ’n klas wing, Van der Merwe wysed: “My biggest goal was always to play for the Springboks.

“When I got one I cap I told myself: ‘I don’t wanna be known as a one cap Bok’. So, to get this opportunity again, I’m very grateful.”