Shizuoka (Japan) (AFP)

On the road to the quarterfinals, the Springboks must imperatively beat Italy, Friday (11.45 French) in Shizuoka, and push back, at least momentarily, the specter of the Etzebeth case, accused of racism and aggression in Africa. South.

Eben Etzebeth appeared relaxed Thursday, during the traditional game watch training. Helmet on his head and smiling, the second line (27 years, 81 selections) even came first on the lawn of Shizuoka.

Yet a few hours earlier, his federation (SA Rugby) had announced the opening of an internal procedure against the second line targeted in South Africa by prosecution for racist insults and aggression before his departure for Japan.

This follows the announcement of a complaint by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Etzebeth, accused by several witnesses of insulting a homeless person and pointing a weapon at fire on him at the end of August during a private incident.

The affair has caused a stir in South Africa, where racism is still a sensitive topic a quarter of a century after the fall of the apartheid regime.

-Totally focused on the match'-

This is the particular context in which the Springboks prepare the match against Italy, decisive for the accession to the quarter-finals.

"Honestly, I do not really know what's going on, I know the Federation has issued a statement this (Thursday) morning, and I know Ebben is playing this week," said Siya Kolisi, the Boks' first black captain.

Assistant coach Mzandile Stick stressed that the team was focused on the match against Italy. "I'm not going to lie to you and tell you we know everything that's going on in South Africa," he said.

"Right now, Eben is totally focused on the World Cup, he's going to play tomorrow (Friday) and he's going to be totally focused on the game." He's in good spirits as a rugby player, as the other players on the team around him, "he said.

A priori, this "case" should not prevent the Springboks to clear the road of the quarter-finals, before completing the work Tuesday against Canada.

Italy does not seem able to oppose, especially in front of, their collective power. And what about the individualities (De Allende, Kolbe) that populate the back lines?

The Squadra has global players on the fingers of one hand. And again ... It can stop at a ... Sergio Parisse, 36, a rugby monument, will set a new record for World Cup matches played with Italy (15). He will celebrate his 142nd selection, six short of the record holder, New Zealander Richie McCaw (148). But he seems alone ...

Composition of teams from South Africa and Italy competing at the World Cup on Friday (11.45 French) in Shizuoka:

South Africa: Roux - Kolbe, Am, Allende, Mapimpi - (o) Pollard, (m) Klerk - Roof PS, Vermeulen, Kolisi (cap) - De Jager, Etzebeth - Malherbe, Mbonambi, Mtawarira

Italy: Minozzi - Benvenuti, Morisi, Hayward, Campagnaro - (o) Allan, (m) Tebaldi - Polledri, Parisse (cap.), B. Steyn - Budd (cap.), Sisi - Ferrari, Bigi, Lovotti

Referee: Mr. Barnes (ENG)

replacements:

South Africa: Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, H. Jantjies, F. Steyn

Italy: F. Zani, Quaglio, Riccioni, A. Zanni, Ruzza, Negri, Braley, Canna

© 2019 AFP