Rassie Erasmus is set to make a bold selection into the Springboks’ lineup to face Scotland in their November opener at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The Springboks’ mastermind group has kept fans guessing and Erasmus is playing cards close to his chest ahead of this high-stakes showdown in Edinburgh.

According to Sunday newspaper ReportWith veteran lock Franco Mostert missing game time after a lengthy injury, and powerful RG Snyman usually reserved for impactful cameos off the bench, Ruan Nortje is expected to retain his place in the No.5 jersey for a sixth consecutive Test.

Many expected the fit-again Snyman to be called straight back into the starting line-up thanks to his outstanding performances for Leinster in the Vodacom URC.

However, Nortje, 26, who made his debut against Wales in 2022, quickly became a reliable presence, stepping up when the Boks were without seasoned locks such as Mostert and Lood de Jager during the Rugby Championship 2024.

Bok assistant coach Deon Davids confirmed on Friday that all players in the squad were fit for selection.

The departure of Frans Malherbe due to injury has sparked further intrigue over the right-back role, with Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch and Wilco Louw vying for the No.3 jersey.

Du Toit’s strong performances at Bath would have made him a leading suitor, and his presence alongside Davids during an online press briefing on Friday is a strong indicator that he could be involved at Edinburgh.

However, Louw’s strong scrum style aligns closely with Malherbe’s, and Koch has proven to be a valuable asset to the Bomb Squad.

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