Salmaan wants to show South Africa he is 'worthy'

SPOTLIGHT: Salmaan Moerat is eager to repay the faith Rassie Erasmus has shown in him by delivering consistent performances worthy of the Springbok jersey and captaincy.

The 26-year-old lock will captain the Boks for the third time this year when they run out for their Rugby Championship Round Five clash against Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero.

A win on Saturday will secure the Rugby Championship title for the unbeaten South Africans.

It has been a tough journey for Moerat in the last couple of years with injuries hampering his development on the Test stage.

Moerat also has his critics when it comes to his inclusion in the Bok team.

However, the Bok coaching team sees his potential, especially when it comes to leadership.

“It’s been rough with injuries, but it’s nice to know that the coaches acknowledge you and they have confidence in you and that is something that I can carry with me,” Moerat told reporters ahead of Saturday’s clash.

“Just in terms of goals, I think it’s just to play well and if I do that, half my job will be done and then just have to take it from there.

“Once the coaches show trust in you, it’s a massive responsibility to perform and to show you that you are worthy of it [captaincy].”

Moerat has had plenty of leaders to look up in his career and one of them is Eben Etzebeth.

The 32-year-old Etzebeth has been named among the eight replacements for Saturday’s clash and he will equal the 127-cap record of Victor Matfield if he plays off the bench.

“When I started at the Stormers and Western Province, Eben was there and I had the privilege of playing a couple of games with him.

“The milestone that he is about to reach is a testament to the person and player that he is the player and most importantly, the person that he is off the field.

“I think the one thing that stands out for me is probably his consistency and his ability to perform week in and week out and it is not just an average performance.

“It’s a world-class performance every week.

“That is something we as younger players can learn from him.

“He carries himself really well and he is a leader of men.”

@rugby365com