Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat believes that the extended Bok squad players firmly put up their hands for selection to the Rugby Championship team to be named next week, after their 64-21 mauling of Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday night.
The 23-man squad that was in action against the Portuguese featured seven debutants, seven players with under 10 Bok caps and a further four with under 20, but despite the inexperience they turned out in style with a superb performance.
It was a great showing in testing conditions after a third minute red card to Andre Esterhuizen, as well as two yellow cards later in the match, saw them play with 14 and then 13 players at stages, but they still impressed, led by Moerat in just his seventh Bok appearance.
Trimmed squadFor the Incoming Series the Boks named a 39-man squad, plus a 14-man standby group, with some of those players featuring against Portugal, and that will now have to be trimmed to a 30-man group for the Rugby Championship.
There wasnt much talking before the game. Everyone realised how massive this game was for us as a group and as a squad. When you represent the Springboks and wear the jersey a certain responsibility comes with that and coach Rassie (Erasmus) made sure we knew that, said Moerat after the match.
