Rassie Erasmus stands by decision to call up hard-working Salmaan Moerat

Moerat has been named in the starting XV for Saturday's Nations Championship clash against Italy in Turin - his first appearance in the green and gold this year.

The selection sparked debate, with some questions about the lock's ability relative to more eye-catching alternatives, but Erasmus is confident the 28-year-old will add value to the Boks.

"I've never really listened to people who talk nonsense about Salmaan because he's not the kind of player you see on the field doing the flashy stuff, and we don't expect him to do that. We expect him to do what he always does for us," Erasmus said.

"We need a grinder like a Jean Kleyn or an RG Snyman. RG is a little bit flashier as well, but it's something we need in the team, and Salmaan brings that to the side.

"Nobody probably understands how hard he scrums, how hard he mauls, how hard he cleans out at the ruck, how physical he is and how well he stops mauls.

"That's probably something you can never really explain to people."

Erasmus stressed that the coaching staff and players fully appreciate these qualities even if they go largely unnoticed outside the squad.

"But we're also not upset that people don't see that. As long as Salmaan and his teammates know that we see it and that we value it, he's the kind of guy we enjoy having in our team," Erasmus explained.

"So, when it comes to things people don't understand or fully see, I can understand why they have their opinions. But, obviously, we have our own opinion about Salmaan."

The coach was also candid about the influence of public discourse and social media on the Springbok environment and acknowledged that the management listens closely to South African voices even if they don't always see eye-to-eye with those opinions.

"Obviously, we listen to what South African people say. I'm not going to pretend we're like other countries and say we do not get caught up in social media. I listen to it," he said.

"I like South African people who have opinions about things, and I've certainly seen it when Willie le Roux got slaughtered, when Faf de Klerk was left out, and then I've also seen times when a guy has made it against the odds."

Moerat has previously captained the Springboks on several occasions and earned praise within the set-up for his leadership and reliability in the engine room.

His return comes at a time when the lock stocks have been tested by injuries, and Erasmus has consistently valued players who deliver physicality in the tight exchanges, maul defence and breakdown work, especially at lock.

READ MORE: Salmaan Moerat returns as Rassie Erasmus names Springbok team to face Italy