Springboks Unveil Revamped Squad as Injuries Shake Team Ahead of Australia Clash
- The Springboks named a heavily revamped squad to face Australia, following a dramatic loss in their opening match
- Injuries to key players, including captain Siya Kolisi, forced leadership and lineup changes for Saturday’s clash
- Experienced campaigners Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende returned to the team, aiming to strengthen the squad for the tough challenge ahead
On Monday, 18 August, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus announced major injuries, with captain Siya Kolisi set to be sidelined for months due to a knee problem.
Erasmus then named a new-look squad to face Australia in Saturday's second round of the Castle Lager Rugby Championships at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
The Boks had lost their opening game at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 August, in dramatic fashion, surrendering a 22-0 lead to go down 38-22.
Source: Getty Images
The squad for Saturday's gamethe the, which will be led by Jess Kriel for the second time and vice-captained by Ox Nche for the first time in his international career. The team will also see the inclusion of Bok centurion Willie le Roux and the return of Cheslin Kolbe.
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5 players retain their places
The wholesale changes saw only five players retain their spots from the Ellis Park game: Nche, Malcolm Marx, Marco van Staden, Grant Williams, and Kriel, who takes over the captaincy from the injured Siya Kolisi.
Four players were ruled out of contention due to injury: Kolisi (loose forward), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), and wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe.
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Erasmus explains the changes
Erasmus attributed the changes to injuries and strategic adjustments for the forthcoming.
“We are happy with this selection and fully aligned on what needs to be done to raise our standards this week.”
Erasmus said they had lost four players to injury the previous weekend, which had affected some of their selections. He added that the team also knew where they had gone wrong against Australia last week, and they had made a few changes they believed would give them what was needed for the upcoming game.
He noted that Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe had recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical decision to recall them.
Erasmus also said the team was focused on getting things right that week. He explained that Boan had already faced Australia the previous week, Ruan had performed well against them last year, and it would be valuable for a few others to gain experience against one of the world’s top teams as they continued strengthening the squad.
The Springboks have won seven out of eight matches against the Wallabies played in Cape Town since 1992.
The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be live on SuperSport.
Source: Getty Images
Eben Etzebeth makes history at Ellis Park.
Briefly News previously reported that the Springboks veteran Eben Etzebeth made history on Saturday at Ellis Park Stadium in the Rugby Championship clash against Australia.
The Boks, however, endured heartbreak after surrendering a commanding 22-0 lead to suffer a crushing 22-38 defeat.
It was their first loss to Australia at Ellis Park since 1963, and ended a 12-year unbeaten home run against the Wallabies.
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Source: Briefly News
