Springboks team v Wales: Rassie Erasmus includes four debutants in side as World Cup winner recalled after three-year absence
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and scrum-half Herschel Jantjies (inset).
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named four uncapped players in his starting line-up to face Wales in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash in Durban.
Vusi Moyo (fly-half) and Jaco Williams (wing), who both represented South Africa’s U20 team during their victorious campaign at last year’s World Rugby Junior World Championship, as well as Ruben van Heerden (lock) and Carlu Sadie (tighthead prop) will all make their Test debuts in the eagerly anticipated encounter.
Erasmus struck a fine balance between naming a powerful side, while staying true to his word to give every player in his expanded squad a chance to prove what they could do in the international arena.
Experienced back-row Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the side from the blindside flank again while Andre Hugo-Venter (hooker), Herschel Jantjies (scrum-half) have been included on the replacements bench.
Moyo and Williams will both have the honour of making their Test debuts at their home ground for the Sharks, while experienced tight five duo Van Heerden, who has left the Stormers for Top 14 outfit Montpellier, and Sadie, who plays for Investec Champions Cup champions Bordeaux-Begles will also make the step up to the highest level of the game.
Jantjies set to make first Test appearance since 2023
Venter is set to earn his second Test cap off the replacements bench after making his debut in 2024 against Portugal, while 2019 Rugby World Cup winner Jantjies last represented the Springboks against Argentina in 2023.
Eben Etzebeth (lock), Franco Mostert (utility forward), Andre Esterhuizen (hybrid player), Canan Moodie (utility back), Handre Pollard (fly-half), and Ox Nche (prop) were all unavailable for selection as they continue to recover from injuries.
Moyo will form a half-back combination alongside experienced scrum-half Cobus Reinach, while Williams will line up in an exciting back three alongside fellow speedster Kurt-Lee Arendse and full-back Aphelele Fassi, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel form the midfield combination.
In the forwards, Sadie will start in the front-row alongside Gerhard Steenekamp and Malcolm Marx, with Van Heerden and Cobus Wiese packing down in the engine room, while Paul de Villiers, Du Toit and Jasper Wiese will form the back-row combination.
Erasmus has opted for five forwards and three backs on his replacements bench with Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Wilco Louw serving as front-row, and Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden the second-row and loose forward reserves, respectively.
The three backs on the bench are Jantjies, Manie Libbok (fly-half) and Damian Willemse (utility back).
“We told the players from the start of the season that if everything played out well, we would give everyone in the squad a chance to play in the competition, and we are excited to see what the uncapped players, as well as those who have not been in the mix for a while, bring to the team,” said Erasmus.
“This squad shows an exciting mix of youth and experience, and while we are under no illusions about the threat Wales poses, we are looking forward to seeing what these players can do.
“Wales put up a good fight in their Six Nations matches against Scotland and Ireland, and they defeated Italy in their final match of the tournament. They also beat Fiji in the Nations Championship before going down against Argentina in a competitive match last week, so they are on the rise and will come out with a point to prove this weekend.”
Erasmus is thrilled to see the four uncapped players get their opportunity to play.
“They all played very well for their franchises this season, and have been working extremely hard at training, while waiting patiently for a chance to play, so we are delighted for them,” he said.
“Building squad depth has always been one of our pillars since 2018, and to have such an exciting group of players coming through is fantastic as we continue to build our squad for the future.
“We have full faith in their abilities, and I’m sure the senior guys around them will assist in keeping them calm on the field, so they can show the talent that earned them a place in the squad. Hopefully, we can make it a memorable occasion for them and our loyal supporters this weekend.”
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Springboks team to face Wales
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Damian Willemse
Date: Saturday, July 18
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:40 local (16:40 BST, 15:40 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)