Springboks braced for Italian backlash as Willie le Roux prepares for 100th Test

Singer and songwriter Jim Croce once offered some excellent advice in a song he wrote about someone named Jim Walker.

Now, according to Croce, Jim Walker was “a pool shootin’, son of a gun … big and dumb as a man can come … but stronger than a country ‘hoss’”.

Croce said that the folk in the area, because of Jim’s physical presence, had the rules down. They would say: “You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger … and you don't mess around with Jim.”

Apparently, messing with Jim was a terrible idea.

Now, much like Jim, the Springboks under Rassie Erasmus are not to be trifled with: you don’t tug at them, spit in their direction, pull on their masks … in fact, it’s unwise to mess with them in any way that would raise their ire.

Which is exactly what a second-string Italy side did last weekend, making the world champions look a touch … ordinary.

According to IOL Sports' Jon Goliath, there’s been a noticeable shift in gears at Springbok training this week as the world champions prepare for the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday.

Having been rocked backwards during parts of the second half in Pretoria, the Boks are clearly not taking the Azzurri lightly. What was expected to be a routine win turned into a warning shot, as the visitors brought physicality, disrupted the breakdown, and even marched the Boks back with a maul that ended in a try.

South Africa still won 42–24, but the scoreboard masked a stuttering second half. And by all accounts, that hasn't sat well with Rassie Erasmus and his management.

Training sessions this week have been as combative as ever – more “Test match in a tracksuit” than touch rugby – as the players sharpened their timing and accuracy, especially at the breakdown. One of the few players to keep his place in the starting XV, flank Marco van Staden, hinted that the intensity behind closed doors has been exactly what was needed.

“They showed last week what intensity they can play with, and we know that performance would have given them confidence, so we are prepared for another big battle this weekend,” Van Staden said.

Italy’s aggressive ruck work in the first Test slowed South Africa’s momentum and allowed them to find a foothold in the game. It’s clear that the Springboks expect more of the same in Gqeberha – and are preparing to meet fire with fire.

Adding extra significance to the occasion is the milestone moment for Willie le Roux, who is set to earn his 100th cap for the Springboks. The fullback will become only the eighth South African to join the century club, and his teammates will no doubt want to make it a match to remember.

So, yes – if you look at the form book, the Boks are still favourites. But let’s not forget how Croce’s song ends: someone named Slim, a young buck did mess around with Jim … and it didn’t go well for Jim. According to Croce, when the fight between young Slim, and big Jim was over the only place on Jim that wasn't bloody was the soles of the big man's feet.

And Bok fans can be assured that the Springboks know that if they give Italy too much rope, they might just get bullied again.