The already under pressure coach Heyneke Meyer knows nothing but a win will redeem the team’s confidene.
Critics of Meyer are sharpening their knives ahead of ‘must-win’ showdown.
Samoa kicked off their World Cup this time around with a 25-16 victory over the United States, but coach Stephen Betham has warned his team of “massive warfare” in the looming clash.
“They will pose a massive challenge and I think it’s fair to say that it’s the biggest game of the season for us. They have a very strong team with players plying their trade all over the world,” the coach said.
Meyer could call up three players nominated for the World Rugby player of the year award over the last two years – lock Eben Etzebeth, No 8 Duane Vermeulen and full-back Willie Le Roux, while Jean de Villiers continues as captain.
A row over the racial composition of the side -part of the process of post-apartheid ‘transformation’ – which intensified after the Japan defeat, is sure to be revived again given there are now only six non-white players in Meyer’s matchday 23 to play Samoa, compared to seven last time out.
However, as was the case for the loss to Japan, four non-white players will start with wings JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana, centre Damian de Allende and Zimbabwe-born prop Tendai Mtawarira all in South Africa’s 1st XV.
The government ‘target’ is to have seven non-white players in a matchday 23 and five on the pitch at any one time, although this is an aspiration rather than a strict requirement.
But on Saturday the Boks will have to walk the talk or else…
The game build-up begin from 17:30
