The genius of Rassie Erasmus, not only lies in the game changing 7-1 split. Something that he will be using on Saturday against the Welsh. It also lies in being able to make nine changes to a Springbok team and they still look like world beaters.
With the upcoming test against Wales falling outside of the international test window, Erasmus has, had to make big changes to the Springboks taking on the Red Dragons. Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Boan Venter, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, and Edwill van der Merwe are out of contention for selection.
“We knew from the outset that we would lose players for this match due to their club commitments, and we are pleased with the quality of the team we’ve selected,” said Erasmus.
ALSO READ: South Africa boost squad depth with Mbonambi and Mchunu
“We’ve been rotating our players throughout the year, and this group has been together for close to five weeks, so many of these combinations are fully settled, while others, such as Zachary and Asenathi, have shown what they are capable of this season, and we are excited that they will receive another chance to play.
“I’d like to thank the provincial unions and clubs who released these players to represent the country this weekend, so we could field a strong side capable of finishing off our November tour on a high note.”
Erasmus added: “We’ve used a total of 49 players in Test matches this season, which is a testament to the depth we have been developing with an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”
Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff:
15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 48 caps, 71 pts (7t, 9c, 4p, 2dg)
14 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 7 caps, 5 pts (1t)
13 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 96 caps, 55 pts (11t)
12 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 28 caps, 20 pts (4t)
11 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 21 caps, 40 pts (8t)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 18 caps, 144 pts (7t, 35c, 13p)
9 Morne van den Berg (Lions) – 5 caps, 20 pts (4t)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 42 caps, 10 pts (2t)
7 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 83 caps, 20 pts (4t)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 102 caps, 70 pts (14t)
5 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps, 0 pts
4 Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 8 caps, 0 pts
3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 28 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 0 pts
1 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 81 caps, 70 pts (14t)
17 Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers) – 2 caps, 0 pts
18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions) – 2 caps, 0 pts
19 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 140 caps, 35 pts (7t)
20 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 32 caps, 20 pts (4t)
21 Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 6 caps, 5 pts (1t)
22 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 62 caps, 55 pts (11t)
23 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 49 caps, 95 pts (19t)
“We are expecting them to come out firing and to throw everything at us. This is also the last match of the year for both teams. There’s no doubt they’ll give everything to finish their season on a high note,” Erasmus said.
