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Rassie demands 'intensity' as Boks set sights on quarters

Kobe - South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus wants no let-up from his side as they look to book their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals against minnows Canada.

The two-time champions need a bonus-point win from their final Pool B match at the covered Kobe Misaki Stadium on Tuesday to be virtually assured of a place in the last eight.

That should not be a problem given Canada will be coming into this match on just a five-day turnaround after a 63-0 thrashing by New Zealand, the reigning title-holders.

Erasmus, however, has made 13 changes to the South Africa side that overwhelmed Italy 49-3 last Friday, although captain Siya Kolisi has retained his place in the starting line-up as he continues his return to full match fitness following a knee injury.

"The team's make-up is a bit different but we expect the same intensity in all four of our next games (should the Springboks make the final)," said Erasmus. "One thing that will be vital going into the knockout stages is intensity and big moments.

"If these players don't step up then they will fail to stay in the team. They know that and it will be one of the challenges for them."

Turning to Kolisi, Erasmus said: "He played a full 80 minutes (against Italy) and was wonderful. I think it was his best game since he has been back from injury.

"The plan was always just to get him to the World Cup, to make sure the knee holds up.

"After that, we wanted to get him to play a full 80 minutes. He can do that now and his form is back to where it was, so to take him off the pitch would be like starting the process all over again. The more game-time he gets the better."

Damian Willemse will start at fullback for the Springboks just days after arriving as an injury replacement for Jesse Kriel.

New Zealand top Pool B with 14 points from three games, while South Africa and Italy have 10 each.

Both Canada and Namibia have yet to claim a point.

Canada have made six changes to the side overwhelmed by the All Blacks, including a brand new front row that sees props Hubert Buydens and Jake Ilnicki packing down either side of hooker Andrew Quattrin.

Kyle Baillie comes into the second row, with Andrew Coe starting at fullback and Phil Mack at scrum-half.

Veteran wing DTH van der Merwe will make a Canadian record 15th World Cup appearance when he faces his native South Africa for the first time in 15-a-side rugby.

And the Tier 2 nation is well aware of what it is up against.

"For any Tier 1 nation, playing the All Blacks and the Springboks in one week is a challenge," said Canada assistant coach Huw Wiltshire.

"We are hugely respectful of the South African team. They and the All Blacks are probably the two best sides at the minute in the tournament," he added.

"Two things you can't defend against in rugby are speed and power, and both those countries have got it across their teams, across the park and across their whole squads."

The two previous meetings between Canada and South Africa include their infamous 1995 World Cup clash that became known as the 'Battle of Boet Erasmus'.

Canada's Gareth Rees and Rod Snow, as well as South Africa's James Dalton, were sent off following a mass brawl before the Springboks won 20-0 on the way to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

Kick-off is at 12:15 (SA time) on Tuesday.

Teams:

South Africa

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Warrick Gelant, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Francois Louw, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Thomas du Toit 

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux

Canada

15 Andrew Coe; 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 DTH van der Merwe; 10 Peter Nelson, 9 Phil Mack; 8 Tyler Ardron (captain), 7 Matt Heaton, 6 Lucas Rumball; 5 Kyle Baillie, 4 Evan Olmstead; 3 Jake Ilnicki, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 1 Hubert Buydens

Substitutes: 16 Benoit Piffero, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Josh Larsen, 20 Michael Sheppard, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Shane O'Leary, 23 Guiseppe du Toit

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