'Rassie Erasmus knows best ...' The numbers behind Salmaan Moerat's Springbok inclusion

Ahead of South Africa's Nations Championship match against Italy in Turin, head coach Rassie Erasmus defended the inclusion of Salmaan Moerat in the team following a social media backlash over his position. Moerat, who steps into the No 4 jersey to replace the injured Eben Etzebeth, is set to make his first appearance for the Springboks of the season in the match on Saturday after recovering from neck and toe injuries.

Despite the doubts expressed by critics, Erasmus has always supported Moerat, stating that the coaching staff evaluates players based on their functional performance rather than external hype.

Moerat's exceptional physical work rate and efficiency are highlighted by statistics from last season's United Rugby Championship campaign, where he achieved a 90% tackle success rate and was second only to Eben Etzebeth in post-contact metres per carry. His importance in the maul, particularly in stopping tactics made difficult by new rules, is also emphasized.

With a minimal error count of just 0.8 per match, Moerat provides the essential reliability that allows other forwards to excel. His quiet authority and natural leadership have earned him immense trust within the South African squad and coaching staff. As the Springboks face Italy in Turin, Moerat's presence underscores why he continues to be highly valued by the world champions, regardless of the social media noise.