Rassie Erasmus Makes 13 Changes to Springbok Team to Face Australia in Perth
- Rassie Erasmus has reshuffled the Springboks ahead of their Australia clash, with several familiar faces set for a new challenge in Perth
- The Springboks will look noticeably different against the Wallabies, with a major selection call adding plenty of interest to Saturday’s Test
- A returning star, a new captain and a host of changes have left Springbok fans with plenty to look forward to in the Perth showdown
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Rassie Erasmus has made a major reshuffle to the Springbok team for Saturday’s Test against Australia in Perth, with Handre Pollard returning at flyhalf and Andre Esterhuizen handed the captaincy.
The Springboks head into the clash after their 43-28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore on 12 September. Only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retain their places in the starting XV.
According to SA Rugby, Erasmus said the changes reflected Australia’s style of play.
“Australia poses a completely different threat to New Zealand in the way they play, so we believe these combinations would be best suited for the challenge that we will face against them,” Erasmus said.
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Pollard returns after recovering from the niggle that kept him out of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures. He will form a halfback combination with Herschel Jantjies.
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Full Springbok team to face Australia
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies
8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn.
The changes also bring several milestones. Esterhuizen will become the 68th player to captain South Africa, while Etzebeth will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok to 147 Tests.
Jasper Wiese will earn his 50th Test cap from the bench, while Malcolm Marx needs six more appearances to reach 100 Tests.
Erasmus also confirmed that Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende were released from camp after heavy workloads.
“They deserve a break,” Erasmus said.
The Test kicks off at 11:45 South African time at Optus Stadium and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Ox Nché continues to attract international praise
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks prop Ox Nché had received backing from former England internationals Ben Youngs and Dan Cole amid growing discussion around his World Rugby Player of the Year credentials. The pair highlighted his contributions in the scrum, breakdown, carrying and even attacking play.
Their comments came after Nché’s performances for South Africa, adding to the praise he has received from opposition players.
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Source: Briefly News
