By: Bon Miguela Nhlapo
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a much-changed South Africa side for their one-off Test against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday, with Andre Esterhuizen set to captain the team for the first time and Jasper Wiese in line to earn his 50th Test cap from the replacements bench.
Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting XV that defeated New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore just over a week ago to clinch the inaugural Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry title. Only lock Eben Etzebeth and wing Ethan Hooker have retained their places in the starting lineup.
Esterhuizen will become the 68th player to captain the Springboks when he leads the team onto the field in Perth. The Hollywoodbets Sharks centre, who has also featured at loose forward for the national side, will partner Canan Moodie in midfield.
Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe and Hooker form the back three, while Handre Pollard returns at flyhalf after recovering from the injury that kept him out of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Herschel Jantjies starts at scrumhalf.
There are also significant changes among the forwards, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen forming a new front row. Etzebeth partners Franco Mostert in the second row, while Paul de Villiers, Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden complete the starting pack.
The experienced forwards on the bench include Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw and Lood de Jager, with Wiese providing loose-forward cover. Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Quan Horn complete the backline replacements.
Erasmus said the changes form part of the team’s preparation and player-management strategy.
“Each player in this squad has been working hard at training over the last few months and has had a chance to play in either the first leg of the Nations Championship or Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, or both,” said Erasmus.
He added that facing Australia would present a different challenge to playing New Zealand and that the selected combinations were suited to the Wallabies’ style of play.
Erasmus also welcomed the opportunity for Esterhuizen to lead the Springboks for the first time.
“He captained the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and he has brought so much to our squad off and on the field, both at centre and in the loose trio, and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” he said.
The coach added that Esterhuizen’s appointment would also contribute to the continued development of the team’s leadership group.
The Springboks have carefully managed their preparations following their recent Test commitments and travel. After several days off to allow the players to recover, the squad trained in Terrigal before resuming their regular Test-week programme on Tuesday.
Erasmus expects a strong challenge from an Australian side that has won four of its last five matches, with the other result being a draw against Argentina.
“They are a proud nation and will certainly want to continue building momentum going into their next two clashes against the All Blacks and the second leg of the Nations Championship in November,” said Erasmus.
“Adding to that, they have physical forwards and a very exciting backline, so it will take another big performance from us to get the result.”
The Springboks have won five of their last six Tests against Australia dating back to September 2022. Their only defeat during that period came in Johannesburg last season, when the Wallabies won 38-22.
The Test kicks off at 11:45 (SA time) on Saturday, with live broadcast available.
Starting XV;
Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen (captain), Ethan Hooker, Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Paul de Villiers, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements;
Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Quan Horn.