Springboks Ready to Unleash: Rassie’s Green Machine Faces Eddie’s Foxes at Wembley.

By David MacLennan

Rassie Erasmus has signalled his intent for precision and purpose by naming a strong and

somewhat adventurous squad to face Japan this weekend at Wembley Stadium. The

Springboks’ line-up blends solid experience with a touch of youthful energy — the kind of

balance that keeps the machine ticking while quietly building for the future. There’s a clear

sense that Rassie isn’t just thinking about this one match, but the bigger picture — depth,

combinations, and continuity.

And if there’s one thing you can guarantee at Wembley, it’s that the green and gold army

will be out in force. Thousands of South African supporters are expected to pack the

stands, their flags, voices, and vuvuzelas turning London into a slice of Pretoria. The roar

when Siya Kolisi leads the team out will feel more like a home Test than an away one.

Eddie Jones, of course, is a wily old fox. You can never quite predict what tricks he’s got

up his sleeve, and that’s what makes this match so intriguing. Tactically, he’ll have

something up his sleeve — he always does — but at the end of the day, I believe the

Springboks will have too much power, composure, and structure for Japan to contain. Still,

it’ll be fascinating to see what Eddie conjures up against Rassie’s green-and-gold

juggernaut.

Springboks Starting XV

1. Ox Nche 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Zachary Porthen (debut) 4. RG Snyman 5. Lood de Jager

6. Siya Kolisi (captain) 7. Franco Mostert 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Cobus Reinach 10. Sacha

Feinberg-Mngomezulu 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse 12. Damian de Allende 13. Jesse Kriel 14.

Ethan Hooker 15. Cheslin Kolbe

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, André

Esterhuizen, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.

Three Key Battles to Watch

1. The Set-Piece Showdown No matter who Japan fields up front, the scrum and lineout

will always be a litmus test against South Africa. With Ox Nche and Malcolm Marxanchoring the Bok front row and debutant Zachary Porthen packing down at tighthead, the

physical contest will be fierce. Japan traditionally focuses on mobility rather than bulk, so

expect them to hit and move quickly — trying to avoid prolonged scrummaging duels. But

over 80 minutes, the Bok pack’s power should take its toll.

2. The Midfield Maul – De Allende & Kriel vs Japan’s Centres Damian de Allende and

Jesse Kriel are battle-hardened, having faced every style of opposition imaginable. They’ll

be up against a Japanese midfield likely built on pace and quick handling, but physicality

will be the difference. Expect De Allende to punch holes through the middle, drawing in

defenders, while Kriel hunts space on the outside. If Japan can’t contain that axis, their

defensive structure could crumble early.

3. The Battle of Tempo and Tactics Eddie Jones knows he can’t outmuscle the Boks — so

he’ll try to outthink them. Japan’s best weapon will be speed: getting the ball away before

the green wall can reset. Cobus Reinach’s quick service and Sacha

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s vision at fly-half will be vital to matching that tempo, ensuring

South Africa controls the rhythm instead of reacting to it. If the Boks dictate the pace,

Japan will be forced into a defensive marathon — something no team survives against a

Springbok pack.

Prediction

Eddie Jones is a wily old fox. You can never rule out one of his surprise tricks — maybe a

few unorthodox set plays, cross-field kicks, or rapid offloading sequences — but it’s hard

to see Japan standing up to 80 minutes of green pressure. The Springboks’ discipline,

physical dominance, and depth off the bench should eventually see them pull away.

Prediction: Springboks by 20-plus points.

Closing Thoughts

At the end of the day, this game isn’t just about the scoreboard — it’s about momentum,

identity, and intent. Rassie Erasmus has built a culture around belief, humour, and ruthless

precision, and every selection seems to echo that philosophy. Whether it’s giving a

youngster like Porthen his first taste of Test rugby or trusting the old guard to keep the

heartbeat steady, it’s clear the Springboks are looking beyond just this weekend. Japan

will play with heart — they always do — but the Boks will play with purpose.

And when South Africa plays with purpose, very few teams on this planet can stop them.