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Taking a closer look at the Springbok side to face Georgia in Mbombela

With all due respect to the proud Georgians, this weekend's contest in Mbombela likely represents Rassie's final chance to experiment with new players and combinations before the serious action begins. The next time the Boks take the field, they'll be contesting the Rugby Championship against a battle-hardened Wallabies side fresh from taking on the British & Irish Lions.

The desire to experiment is certainly evident in one or two of the Bok coach's selections for the weekend, even as his plans for the final Rugby Championship squad - and his first-choice XV -  start to take shape.

Last chance for fringe players to make their case

With competition as fierce as it is in a stacked and highly successful Springbok squad, opportunities for new players to stake their claim can be hard to come by. The Boks' Incoming Series can sometimes provide those opportunities, however, and several players have already grabbed them with both hands.

The likes of Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie and Ruan Nortje did their respective causes no harm at all during last week's second Test against Italy in Gqeberha, and all three players have been given another chance to make their case against Georgia this weekend.

While it's unlikely that any of the Boks' starters in the wing, centre and lock positions are in any danger of being replaced, there's no doubt that players like Van Der Merwe, Moodie and Nortje are knocking on the door, and another standout performance could solidify their roles as next in line should injuries or rotation come into play later in the season.

At fullback, meanwhile, Sharks bolter Aphelele Fassi has been given another chance to impress, even as Damian Willemse bides his time on the bench. One of these two men is likely to get the No 15 jersey against the Wallabies next month, but it's not clear if Rassie has already made his mind up.

Grant and Sacha at 9 and 10: A new era for the Boks?

While the battle for the No 15 jersey remains unresolved, the search for the Springboks' first-choice halfback pairing is also still very much underway.

In the last few years, a combination of form and injuries has seen both positions regularly change hands in the Springbok team. 

The flyhalf jersey has been worn by Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Jordan Hendrikse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, while the scrumhalf position has been even more hotly-contested, with the likes of Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Jaden Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg and Grant Williams battling it out.

These players have all excelled in their positions to various degrees, but some believe that the combination of Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu represents the brightest glimpse of the Springboks' future.

Both possess rare athleticism, sharp rugby IQ, and a certain X-factor that can turn tight contests and ignite something special in broken play. That has not historically been the formula for the Boks at halfback, but the prospect of injecting that kind of flair and unpredictability into the team's key decision-making axis is an exciting one.

Surprisingly, Williams and Feinberg-Mngomezulu have never combined for the Boks at No 9 and 10 in the starting line-up. Saturday's clash in Mbombela, then, could be the start of big things.

Front row freshmen ready to rumble

Boan Venter, Neethling Fouche and hooker Marnus van der Merwe will all earn their first Bok caps in Mbombela this weekend as part of an all-new front row. This would be a fairly unthinkable move in most situations, but given their opponents on the weekend, Rassie likely felt confident that the uncapped trio would be able to deal with whatever the Georgians throw at them.

Not that Georgia are to be underestimated - their reputation as a physically uncompromising, forward-dominated side is well-earned, and they'll view the set piece as an area where they will try to assert themselves.

But Venter, Fouche and Ver der Merwe are no pushovers - all three have been in outstanding form at club level - and will be eager to stake a claim in the competitive cauldron that is the Springbok front row.

Should all else fail, Rassie also has an ace up his sleeve - a replacement front row of proven World Cup winners in Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, and Vincent Koch - ready to come onto the field should their services be required.

Captain Kolisi: Siya steps back into the spotlight

Stand-in captains Jesse Kriel and Salmaan Moerat certainly did their country proud, but South Africans will be happy to see the return of Siya Kolisi, back in green and gold for the first time this season after a series of injury niggles delayed his return.

At 34 years of age, it's not exactly clear how much longer Kolisi will continue to lead the Boks. 

Rassie appeared to be looking to the future in the immediate aftermath of the 2023 Rugby World Cup win, but later admitted that he had perhaps not fully appreciated what the inspirational Bok captain means to his team and the nation as a whole.

Still, Kolisi can't keep playing forever, and as much as his presence in the Bok team seems to have a positive effect, this year will likely be an important one for the veteran flanker, as he balances his role as a leader on and off the field with managing his fitness and longevity.

Whether this marks the beginning of a final chapter or an extended encore, one thing is certain: It's great to have Siya back.

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