Who’ll win battle for Springbok No 7 jersey for Wales Test?

Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith is relishing the battle between his fellow loosies as they look ahead to their first challenge of their end of year tour as they take on Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

With regular blindside flank Pieter-Steph du Toit out of action for the year, a fierce battle is raging for his number seven jersey in the starting line up.

Bok skipper Siya Kolisi and mercurial eighthman Duane Vermuelen will most likely keep their starting spots for the three Tests, with Scotland and England following the Wales match.

However with Smith and Franco Mostert having largely shared the number seven duties during the British and Irish Lions series and Rugby Championship, and Marco van Staden and Jasper Wiese also remaining options, it is yet to be seen who will fill that spot.

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“I think we have got good competition in the loose trio. If you take it I have played eight and seven this year, Franco has played lock and seven, Marco has also played six a few times and sometimes Jasper has played at seven,” said Smith.

“It’s good for us to have that competition between each other because it brings out the best in us as players. For us when we get that opportunity we have to make it count because we know the guy behind us is pushing so hard that if we don’t use the opportunity we will lose our place.

“So it’s good for us. It makes us better players and I think it is healthy competition between us. We are all friends so it’s really nice to know that we push each other to become better players.”

After a well deserved few weeks off Smith is also enjoying life outside of the strict bio-secure bubble that the Springbok squad had to be a part of during the Lions series and Rugby Championship, with the UK tour less of a burden on the players.

“I think for us it was really good to get back home to our families to experience a bit of off time and to get away from the game mentally and refresh for these last three games,” said Smith.

“The prep in France has been really good, especially to get back into training after those two and a half weeks off. We did have to do a few activations but nothing too hectic, so it’s really nice to be out and sort of normal.

“We are still following our Covid protocols, wearing our masks and being safe, but it is nice not to be bubble bent.”