Rassie Erasmus Rings The Changes For Second Wallabies Test In Cape Town
Rassie Erasmus Rings The Changes For Second Wallabies Test In Cape Town
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus makes 10 changes, as Jesse Kriel captains a new-look South Africa side against Australia in Rugby Championship clash.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a new-look South Africa team to face Australia in Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship test at Cape Town Stadium, making 10 changes to the starting XV after last weekend’s 38-22 defeat in Johannesburg.
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Jesse Kriel will captain the Boks for the second time in his career, stepping in for the injured Siya Kolisi. Powerful loosehead prop Ox Nche, who debuted in 2018, has been named vice-captain for the first time.
The side features the return of veteran stars Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and centurion Willie le Roux, while a number of fringe players get another opportunity to stake their claim.
Only five players keep their starting roles from Ellis Park: Nche, Malcolm Marx, Marco van Staden, scrumhalf Grant Williams and Kriel.
A total of 13 squad members were involved last weekend, with Erasmus shuffling combinations heavily as he looks to spark a response following South Africa’s first professional-era loss to the Wallabies at the iconic Johannesburg venue.
Injury has forced Erasmus’ hand, with Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe all unavailable.
The changes begin up front, where Thomas du Toit replaces Wilco Louw at tighthead prop, packing down alongside Nche and Marx.
RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje form a new lock pairing, while Van Staden links up with Franco Mostert and Jean-Luc du Preez in the loose trio.
The back line sees familiar faces reunited, as Kriel and De Allende resume their longstanding midfield partnership for the 38th time.
Williams and fly-half Handré Pollard combine at halfback, with Kolbe and Canan Moodie on the wings and Le Roux at fullback.
Erasmus opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, bolstering forward depth with Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter and Louw providing front-row cover, while Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, and Kwagga Smith add power and experience.
Versatile Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu complete the reserves.
“We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact, but we also know where we went wrong,” Erasmus said. “Damian and Cheslin have recovered, and with their knowledge of the Wallabies, it was logical to bring them back. This week is about fixing our standards.”
Erasmus said the Boks were determined to bounce back after their poor second-half performance in Johannesburg.
“We let ourselves and the country down, so we have all the motivation we need,” he said. “Australia showed last week that history counts for little. This will be another proper grind, and we must fight until the final whistle.”
South Africa has a dominant record over Australia in Cape Town, winning seven of the last eight meetings since 1992. The Springboks' only home defeat at the venue against the Wallabies came in that year’s 26-3 loss.
Several milestones also are in play.
Pollard is three points shy of 800 career test points. De Allende will become the 10th-most capped Springbok of all time with 90 tests. Kriel and De Allende extend their record as the most-capped Springbok center pairing in history. And Etzebeth adds to his national appearance record, reaching 134 caps.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. EDT with a live broadcast on FloRugby for audiences in the United States.
Springbok lineup vs. Australia In Cape Town
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche (vice-captain)
Replacements
16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
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