The Bok coaches decided to shake things up for Saturday’s second Test against the Wallabies in Perth with an experimental side set to back up the strong performance of last weekend.
Rassie Erasmus keeps springing surprises with the Springboks and how he selects his sides for a certain match.
In a fresh twist ahead of the second Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Perth on Saturday (11.45am kick-off, SA time), the Bok head coach made 10 changes to the side that won the first encounter 33-7.
Of course, this comes with the risk of breaking the continuity in the side after that record-equalling win if this much-changed side does not come out on top. But the potential gains for the Boks, even if they do not win, could stand them in good stead for the rest of the tournament.
Almost all their available players would have had match minutes by the time the All Blacks arrive in South Africa later this month for two Tests. The New Zealanders’ loss against Argentina – with the Boks five log points ahead of them – allows for experimentation, and it’s is a calculated risk Erasmus is willing to take.
Captain Siya Kolisi, fullback Willie le Roux, centre Damian de Allende, prop Frans Malherbe, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and winger Kurt-Lee Arendse are all rested.
“This is not a series where the second game determines the outcome like against Ireland,” Erasmus said, explaining his selections.
“We have a squad of 33 here and we decide that if things go according to plan, everyone is good enough to hopefully get a second win against Australia. This is not a do-or-die match, but we know it will be tough.”
Some of the more interesting selections Erasmus went for include having World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am at inside centre and not in the No.13 jersey where he normally plays. He will partner with the in-form Jesse Kriel, who has been keeping him out of the outside centre position.
With Kolisi resting, Salmaan Moerat will captain the side as bruiser Pieter-Steph du Toit moves back to the side of the scrum. Scrumhalf Morné van den Berg and Moerat’s lock partner Ruan Nortjé will make their first starts for the world champions.
A win on Saturday will give the Boks a healthy start to the Rugby Championship, but losing to the hurting Wallabies could affect their momentum ahead of the double Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town against the All Blacks.
“With 14 World Cup winners, we did not pick a team to lose. I think we have enough continuity in the side. We have been training together against each other. So hopefully it does gel, the way we picked the team,” Erasmus said.
“Giving Salmaan the captaincy against a tier-one nation will make him grow as a player. That is what we did with Pieter-Steph du Toit, giving him two caps (as leader) and he now understands how to support a captain. He is helping Salmaan in the manner that Eben (Etzebeth) and Bongi (Mbonambi) help Siya (Kolisi).
“It’s not just about the captain on the day, but about the growth of the player. Salmaan came through our systems, it’s for a specific goal for him to also grow (as the leader).
“The Wallabies will be desperate to come back strongly from last week’s defeat and I do not doubt that Joe Schmidt (Australian head coach) will select a team that is fired up to get their campaign back on track.”
Springboks’ starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels; Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handré Pollard.
