Hold onto your rugby jerseys! 

The Springboks have a new captain, Salmaan Moerat. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Moerat comes from a storied rugby family that has produced several Springboks. His father, Nazim, played during the apartheid era, and now Salmaan, the 66th person to captain the team, is making history as the first Muslim to do so.

Moerat’s ascent to the captaincy isn’t just a personal victory; it’s a massive win for the rugby-loving communities of Boland and Paarl. This 26-year-old has been on a leadership trajectory since his days at Boland Under-13 Craven Week and as captain of Paarl Boys High’s unbeaten first team in 2016. Moerat’s cousin Ebrahim, a well-travelled coach, summed it up: “We’ve had players from our community like Nizaam Carr, but Salmaan’s achievement is right up there. Hopefully, he’s not the last.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus knows the value of Moerat’s background but emphasised that his selection as captain was purely merit-based. “It’s great that he comes from a rugby-rich heritage and that it means a lot to them. However, we picked him because he’s a great leader, and he doesn’t stand back physically or tactically,” said Erasmus. 

The announcement of Moerat’s captaincy comes after last week’s nail-biting 25-24 loss to Ireland. The second test match against Ireland was not only a close call but also a bruising encounter that left the Springbok camp reeling with injuries. 

Malcolm Marx suffered a severe tibia fracture after a rather nasty croc roll from Ireland’s Caelan Doris and James Ryan, ruling him out for the foreseeable future. Franco Mostert and Pieter-Steph du Toit are both nursing leg injuries that will keep them off the field for six weeks each. To add to the woes, Edwill van der Merwe twisted his ankle, sidelining him for the same duration. 

These injuries have forced Coach Erasmus to dig deep into his squad’s reserves, leading to the inclusion of seven uncapped players for the upcoming match against Portugal. The good news is that Canan Moodie is expected to return to training next week, providing a much-needed boost to the team.

Only four players from last week’s match have been retained for the upcoming clash against Portugal, signalling a significant shake-up in the Springbok lineup. Salmaan Moerat, now stepping up as captain, will lead the charge. Joining him are three other veterans, while the rest of the squad sees a mix of fresh faces and seasoned players. 

“It was important for us to select a quality team with a bunch of experienced players, while at the same time delivering on our objective of growing our squad depth by naming a few debutants,” said Erasmus. 

So, rugby fans, get ready for an exciting match on Saturday at 17:00. With a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, the Springboks are all set to take on Portugal. Let’s hope Moerat’s leadership and Erasmus’s experimental squad bring home a victory.