The average age of Rassie Erasmus’s side to play England at Ellis Park on Saturday is 25‚ but in perhaps a more illuminating pointer to the future‚ he has selected eight black players to meet the side in white. Erasmus did not light fireworks to mark the occasion on Thursday. Instead the Bok coach spoke in practical terms of what he needed to do to prepare his side for the demands they would face in 2019. Either way‚ he will come out smelling like roses if he wins this series. After selecting seven black players in an experimental side that played Wales last week, he went one better this week. "It wasn’t difficult‚" he said when asked about his assembly of one of the most representative squads in Bok history. "We followed the players closely in Super Rugby. We were in communication with the Super Rugby coaches. There were work-ons for players to work on. We need to build squad depth. I’m very comfortable." The starting team features debutants lock RG Snyman and wings Aphiwe Dyantyi ...
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