Springboks vs Wallabies: Kick-Off, Time and Channel for Ellis Park Clash

• The Springboks are preparing to face the Wallabies in the opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park
• Siya Kolisi is set to wear the No. 8 jersey for the first time in a Test, replacing suspended and injured players
• Rassie Erasmus named a strong squad with 18 World Cup winners and a few new caps, promising a competitive clash

The Springboks will face the Wallabies this Saturday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the opening match of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

Australia, coming off a win against South Africa ‘A’ and a narrow defeat to the British & Irish Lions, will be a tough opponent eager to secure their first win at Ellis Park.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a powerful squad that includes eighteen Rugby World Cup winners and just three players with five or fewer Test caps: utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, wing Edwill van der Merwe, and prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who made his Test debut against Italy in July.

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On Friday, Erasmus made a late change, bringing in Boan Venter to replace Wessels.

Kolisi to play in a different role

Siya Kolisi will wear the No. 8 jersey for the first time in a Test, flanked by flankers Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden.

Veteran locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager will hold the lineout positions, supported by a front row of props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, and hooker Malcolm Marx.

The bench features five forwards, Bongi Mbonambi, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Franco Mostert, and Kwagga Smith, alongside three backs: Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, and Damian Willemse.

South Africa aims for a fifth consecutive win over the Wallabies, having beaten them in all four previous Rugby Championship encounters since 2022.

Kolisi played extensively as No. 8 during the Sharks’ 2024/25 United Rugby Championship campaign, giving Erasmus the confidence to deploy him in the same role at international level. The move follows the suspension of Jasper Wiese and injuries to Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw.

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Erasmus emphasised that Kolisi’s primary duties remain focused on the scrum, which occurs roughly 13 to 14 times per game.

“After more practice sessions, we realised that Kolisi’s main role as No. 8 is at the scrum,” Erasmus told reporters.

“Most of the game is general play, where having Siya alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden in the loose trio strengthens our presence at the breakdown. Australia fights hard in that area, and we need players who can clean out well.”

When and where to watch the game in South Africa?

For fans wanting to watch the clash live, the game will be broadcast on SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00.

Briefly News previously reported thatJapanese rugby head coach Eddie Jones has thrown his weight behind Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams, boldly claiming the 29-year-old is the fastest player in world rugby.

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Writing in his latest Planet Rugby column, the former England gaffer said Williams’ speed is unmatched.

Source: Briefly News