Major changes as Springboks seek redemption against the Wallabies

The Springboks aim to bounce back in Cape Town on Saturday after a surprising comeback loss to Australia at Ellis Park last week.

Despite the altitude and a dominant first 20 minutes from the hosts, the Wallabies came back and scored 38 uncontested points to beat South Africa 22-38.

Not only did the visitors break South Africa’s four-game winning streak against them, but the victory also marked the first time the Wallabies had won a match in the City of Gold since the 1960s.

Following the heavy defeat, head coach Rassie Erasmus made ten changes to the Springboks side that played in Johannesburg, bringing in players such as RG Snyman, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, and Canan Moodie.

Jessie Kriel has been named the Boks captain for Saturday, with prop Ox Nche as the skipper’s deputy.

Erasmus said in a press conference on Wednesday that several players he was hoping to give some game time to in Cape Town, such as Morné van den Berg and Ethan Hooker, will unfortunately not get the chance due to the team “losing momentum.”

Despite Jasper Wiese being suspended and Siya Kolisi, who played eighth man on Saturday, having to sit out due to an injury, Erasmus said they have not had to bring in anybody new to fill the position.

Bordeaux player Jean-Luc du Preez will be wearing the number eight jersey this weekend, his first start for the team in seven years.

Other changes made to the forwards include Thomas du Toit in at 3, RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje replacing last week’s locks, and Franco Mostert in at 7.

The backline will see Handre Pollard come in for Manie Libbok and Damian de Allende’s return from injury to be reunited with Kriel, who have 170 games between the two of them. 

Cheslin Kolbe will come in for Kurt-Lee Arendse at wing, who has been sidelined due to injury. Canan Moodie will be playing on the other side of the pitch.

While it was announced that Willie le Roux would be starting at fullback in place of Aphelele Fassi, Erasmus says that he has since picked up a back niggle. This will see Fassi start at 15.

As for the bench, Erasmus has named five forwards and two backs. 

Marnus v.d. Merwe, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, and Kwagga Smith will be covering the forwards, while Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be ready to sub in for the backline.

On the other hand, the Wallabies have only named three changes to their starting fifteen for Saturday, with winger Corey Toole making his national team debut.

Toole will be replacing Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a broken jaw after a brutal collision with Kolisi on Saturday.

Prop Tom Robinson will replace James Slipper, and Rob Valentini will replace Harry Wilson at number eight after the skipper limped off the field in the previous game.

The match is set to kick off at 5.10 p.m. at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. 

Team lineups

Bench:

• Marnus van der Merwe
• Boan Venter
• Wilco Louw
• Eben Etzebeth
• Lood de Jager
• Kwagga Smith
• Cobus Reinach
• Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Bench:

• Brandon Paenga-Amosa
• Angus Bell
• Zane Nonggorr
• Jeremy Williams
• Nick Champion de Crespigny
• Tate McDermott
• Tane Edmed
• Andrew Kellaway

Coaches ready for the challenge

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said the team is ready to take on the Springboks after an intense first match in Johannesburg.

“The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the Highveld last week,” he said.

“We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend, and we know that we have to improve leading into what’s likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night.”

As for the Springboks, Erasmus said that the team will make sure to give it their all for the entire eighty minutes.

“They also showed that they can fight until the end, so it will be vital for us to give everything until the final whistle this weekend,” he said

“This match is essential for us to get our campaign on track, and we all realise the importance of ensuring that we do not make the same mistakes as last week.”