RASSIE ERASMUS HAS made 10 changes to the South Africa team that beat Australia in their Rugby Championship opener as the sides prepare to meet again in Perth on Saturday.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is among the players rotated out of the matchday 23 altogether following last weekend’s 33-7 success, with Salmaan Moerat captaining South Africa from lock.
With Leinster’s RG Snyman — a late withdrawal from that championship opener — continuing to recover from what the Springboks describe as a “foot niggle”, Moerat’s second-row partner will be first-time starter Ruan Nortje. Scrum-half Morne van den Berg will also earn his first test start for his country.
Marco van Staden takes Kolisi’s spot at six, while the only five players to retain their starting jerseys are right wing Cheslin Kolbe, outside centre Jesse Kriel, out-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, number eight Elrigh Louw, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who moves from lock to seven.
“We made it clear from the outset this season that one of our main goals is to build squad depth with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup here in Australia”, said Boks head coach Erasmus, “and we feel there is no better way to test some of the younger players and assess where we are as a group against a top-tier nation, especially away from home in this match.
“We have a group of about 45 players that are part of our wider squad this season and we’ve seen what most of these players can do,” Erasmus added. “We have full faith in the younger generation of players coming through, and we feel this is the right time to test them against an Australian outfit that will be desperate to bounce back strongly from last weekend.”
Intriguingly, Erasmus has named both Mannie Libbok and Handre Pollard as two of his three back replacements, alongside scrum-half Grant Williams, in a 5-3 bench split.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Thomas du Toit and Johan Grobbelaar make up the starting front row as they did against Portugal in Bloemfontein last month.
Five other players from the side that beat Portugal 64-21 are also involved: the aforementioned Libbok is on the bench, while scrum-half Van den Berg, inside centre Lukhanyo Am, left wing Makazole Mapimpi and fullback Aphelele Fassi have all been handed starts.
“We have a big squad, and it’s important to balance some players’ workload while at the same time bringing a few young players into the mix, and this squad allows us to do both,” said Erasmus.
“This also means that every player in this travelling squad will have an opportunity to play. All of the players who have been excluded from the squad have been regulars this season and we feel we’ll benefit in different ways by resting them this week.”
The Springboks have confirmed that all of Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Gerhard Steenekamp, Bongi Mbonambi, Cobus Reinach, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux are being rested for Saturday’s second Rugby Championship fixture.
South Africa (v Australia)
15. Aphelele Fassi
14. Cheslin Kolbe
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Lukhanyo Am
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9. Morne van den Berg
1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Salmaan Moerat
5. Ruan Nortje
6. Marco van Staden
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
8. Elrigh Louw
Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx
17. Ox Nche
18. Vincent Koch
19. Eben Etzebeth
20. Kwagga Smith
21. Grant Williams
22. Manie Libbok
23. Handré Pollard
RG injured. quelle surprise!
Bold, 10 changes from the boks WTF, looks like the side that played portugal. Obviously confident testing depth will build the squad and get the win with a strong bench for insurance . Aussies will be better this week so hope this pays off . Matt Williams week ruined with this 5-3 split for sure, my sympathy. Need some more of kolbe at scrumhalf, wing or hooker and , etzebeth and Peter SDT at centre/wing to bamboozle these Aussies once again.Cmon bokke.. !!!!
@Stuart: I think it shows 1. How much of a threat he sees the Aussies as (basically not a serious threat) and 2. The esteem which he holds the rugby championship. He made no changes between test 1 and 2 versus us. He’ll take the matches v the AB’s seriously I imagine
@Stuart: Matt Williams’ week ruined because a coach is doing what he’d hoped for? Strange logic
@Michael Corkery:
Given last weekend’s results ,and current form, the Boks are in a commanding place to win the championship which doesn’t happen too often. I can understand the need to build depth and experiment within the championship between WC’s but we have these results in AUS away in the bag. (and that’s not normally the case)
Will this side with Wholesale changes beat an Aussie side that will be a lot better this week, I’m now nervous.
I’ve no doubt Rassie will have his best 23 out against the AB’s and there is a gap between the Aus tests and AB’s meaning plenty of rest time for front runners.
I would have hoped for a more “familiar” consistent 23 this week to close out the Aus tour with a full 10 points.
Maybe I’m overly nervous and we beat the Aussies this weekend comfortably (hopefully)
@Stuart: I’d imagine he’ll not be too disappointed if they lose, he’s not lying when he says they’re looking at world cup, quite a few of these 10 changes will be more important players in 3 years time and a defeat here will be point of reference for them. Think Ireland defeat was too close to do that job for them.
@Stuart: why SA not playing in SA
@Square: the scheduling is to promote a mini tour format which seems to work better. https://super.rugby/therugbychampionship/news/sanzaar-confirms-the-match-schedule-for-the-rugby-championship-2024/
@Ciaran Kennedy: yep watching the squad announcement there with rassie , that pretty much looks like it sums up the thinking.
@Stuart: Ah i see nice one cant wait for the tournment were six nations and the rugby championship combined
@Square: Can’t wait for the next World Cup myself.
@Ray Ridge:I love sport i miss the olympics allready
@Square: Break dancing is making way for tiddlywinks for the 2028 Olympics in Brisbane, I heard there now.
@Ray Ridge: Tell me you wouldn’t watch it if it was on?
Rassie has started preparing for next World Cup.
Rassie rolling the dice in this game in preparation for the 2 tests v the All Blacks later in August.A lot of the SA front liners with points to prove after the loss to Ireland in their most recent competitive home game.The build up for the AB games will go into overdrive Rassie style after Saturday.Scottie Robertson needs to get a lock or 2 back fit and have the ABs ready for what is coming.
Please please please put spaces where they’re needed in the list of players.
Still a strong backline and a great bench – still expect a comfortable win over the woeful Aussies
@Owen ODonoghue: we’ve handled this poor Aussie side a lifeline , Schmidt must be thrilled ..no doubt each of the 10 will give it all in the green , throwing a side like this together with wholesale changes with unfamiliar combinations especially the pack and half back pairing. Question marks also over fassi marshalling that backline , the back 3…too much change in one go…going to be a very different game to last week and if the boks happen to win to hen my God Australia just need to give up the game …
@Stuart: Can’t see anything but a win for the Boks, irrespective of the side they put out.