IN IT TO WING IT

SPRINGBOK wing Kurt-Lee Arendse is happy to see the depth in the squad, especially at wing, and the healthy competition from within to keep the world champions sterk.

Arendse, who scored a try in the first Test against Italy, is back in the span after sitting out the second clash, where newcomer Edwill van der Merwe took his chance with both hands. Van der Merwe, who will partner Arendse against Georgia on Saturday in Nelspruit at 5.10pm, bagged a brace in the second match.

Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi are the other wings in the Bok fold, while a few youngsters are also knocking on the door.

Arendse has impressed in his 25 caps so far. The speedster has scored 19 tries, amassed 95 points and is set to continue his try-scoring feat against the Georgians this weekend. He needs two more tries to break into the top 10 all-time try-scoring list.

According to Arendse, having that competition within the team environment is what drives him to keep performing when called upon.

Arendse wysed: “There is maybe a stage in your career where you get comfortable, and there are other guys coming through and they put their hand up. You receive a wake-up call that others also aspire to play for the Springboks

“It is good and healthy competition. That is what we need. There are even guys at the Junior Boks [Jaco Williams, Cheswill Jooste and Siya Ndlozi] putting their hands up. It is good for South African rugby. When you get that opportunity, you want to put your best foot forward.

“However, you won’t have every day where you can do that. But that competition brings the best out of you.”

Arendse and Van der Merwe will combine with fullback Aphelele Fassi in the back-three, while Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie man the midfield. An exciting halfback pairing of Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will steer the attack.

That is a recipe for another exciting Bok clash, but they will look to the forwards to lay them the platform as they did during the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha.

Arendse, who is from Paarl, said: “It is always special to represent the country; it doesn’t matter who plays. I would not say there is pressure on us to perform, but we want to focus on setting our standard. We will not be underestimating Georgia.”