South Africa has rung the changes ahead of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth this Saturday, with Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus making ten alterations to the starting lineup that secured a 33-7 victory over the Wallabies last weekend.
Morne van den Berg (scrumhalf) and Ruan Nortje (lock) are set to earn their first Test starts, while Salmaan Moerat will lead the team as captain from the lock position, filling in for regular skipper Siya Kolisi, who is one of nine players rotated out of the starting XV.
Marco van Staden, who impressed off the bench last weekend, has been promoted to start in Kolisi’s No. 6 jersey. The only players retaining their starting spots are Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Jesse Kriel (centre), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf), Elrigh Louw (No. 8), and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who shifts from lock to flanker.
Erasmus emphasized that the changes are part of a broader strategy to build squad depth while maintaining momentum, with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup, which will also be held in Australia. “We made it clear from the outset this season that one of our main goals is to build squad depth,” said Erasmus. “We feel there is no better way to test some of the younger players against a top-tier nation, especially away from home.”
Several players from the Springboks’ dominant 64-21 win over Portugal in Bloemfontein last month return to the starting lineup, including Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Thomas du Toit (both props), and Johan Grobbelaar (hooker). Other players from that match, such as Aphelele Fassi (fullback), Lukhanyo Am (inside centre), and Makazole Mapimpi (wing), also make their way back into the squad, with Mapimpi named on the replacements’ bench alongside Manie Libbok, who starts as a backup flyhalf.
Erasmus believes that the injection of younger talent will be a significant asset for the team. “All of the younger players made a strong impression against Portugal and in other Tests where they had the opportunity to showcase their skills. Their hunger combined with their individual skills will be a fantastic driving force.”
The rotation also serves as a strategic move to manage player workloads ahead of a grueling schedule, with four more Tests remaining in the Championship, including two against New Zealand and two against Argentina. “We have a big squad, and it’s important to balance some players’ workloads while bringing a few young players into the mix,” Erasmus added. “This also means that every player in this traveling squad will have an opportunity to play.”
Notable absentees from the squad include Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, and Willie le Roux, who have been regulars this season but are being rested. Ben-Jason Dixon, who started at flanker last week, is sidelined with a minor injury, while RG Snyman remains out due to a foot niggle.
Erasmus anticipates a fierce response from the Wallabies, who will be eager to bounce back from last week’s defeat. “They are a proud nation, and they’ll be highly motivated to continue their impressive home win record against us in Australia. But we’re determined to build on last week’s result, and this is a massive match for us.”
With the Springboks eyeing a potential Championship title, which they last won in 2019, Saturday’s game is crucial. “If we can build on last week, it will give us a good chance to be in the mix for the title,” Erasmus concluded.
Springbok team to face Australia in Perth:
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 5 caps, 10 points (2t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 34 caps, 96 points (15t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 72 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 – Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 36 caps, 35 pts (7t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 43 caps, 150 points (30t)
10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 25 points (11c, 1p)
9 – Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 1 cap, O points
8 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 0 points
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 80 caps, 45 points (9t)
6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 21 caps, 5 pts (1t)
5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 0 points
4 – Salmaan Moerat (captain, DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 0 points
3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 19 caps, 0 pts
2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 0 points
1 – Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 5 points (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 68 caps, 85 points (17t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 32 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 53 caps, 0 points
19 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 123 caps, 30 points (6t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 44 caps, 40 pts (8t)
21 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 12 caps, 10 points (2t)
22 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 15 caps, 91 pts (1t, 28c, 10p)
23 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 72 caps, 732 points (7t, 98c, 162p, 5dg)
Stats and facts:
Springbok record against Australia:
Played 94; Won 51; Lost 40; Drawn 3; Points for: 1 893, Points against: 1 660; Tries scored 223, Tries conceded 171; Highest score 61-22 (Pretoria, 1997); Biggest win 45 points (53-8, Johannesburg 2008). Win % 54.2%.
Source: SA Rugby
