Springboks team: Rassie Erasmus wields the axe with 10 changes after Joburg embarrassment as head coach reverts to the Bomb Squad
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and returning wing Cheslin Kolbe.
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to the side that lost their Rugby Championship opener as they look to gain revenge over the Wallabies.
South Africa’s head coach has wielded the axe after they succumbed 38-22 to Australia in Johannesburg on Saturday.
They are without four players due to injury with Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe already confirmed to be out, while other selections, such as Handre Pollard, were likely pre-planned, but Erasmus has admitted to reacting to their loss.
“We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game,” he said.
“Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical choice to recall them.”
Injury returnees
As the Boks boss stated, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe have recovered from injury to take their place in the Springboks XV.
They are two of five alterations to the backline with only Grant Williams and Jesse Kriel, who captains the team, retaining their places.
Pollard joins Williams at half-back, while De Allende is alongside Kriel and Kolbe is part of a back three which includes Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux.
Up front, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Marco van Staden remain but there another five new players in the pack. Thomas du Toit gets a shot in the front-row while behind them are RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje at lock.
The XV is completed by Franco Mostert and Jean-Luc du Preez, who complete the loose trio alongside Van Staden.
“We are determined to get things right this week. Boan [Venter] got a taste of what it’s like to face Australia last week, and Ruan did well against them last year, while it will be good for a few other guys to experience playing against one the top teams in the world, especially as we continue to build our squad depth,” Erasmus said.
“We are pleased with this squad, and we are all aligned on what we have to do to lift our standards this week.”
Bomb Squad
The Springboks have also reverted to the 6-2 bench with Marnus van der Merwe coming into the 23 instead of Bongi Mbonambi as the reserve hooker.
Boan Venter and Wilco Louw is the other front-row cover while Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager are both among the replacements.
Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu complete the squad as the Boks seek to kick-start their Rugby Championship campaign.
“There’s no doubt they’ll take a lot of confidence from their victory last week, and especially since that marked their first victory at Ellis Park against us in the professional era,” South Africa’s head coach added.
“We are still hurting from that result, and the coaches and players are extremely disappointed with the way we played last week. We know we didn’t play according to our standards in the second half, and we must rectify that.
“We let ourselves and the country down, so we have all the motivation we need to make things right this week.”
Springboks team to face the Wallabies
Springboks: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 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
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
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:10 local time (01:10 AEST Sunday, 16:10 BST, 15:10 GMT)
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (RA)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
