Erasmus names powerful Springbok side for Wallabies showdown at Ellis Park

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a formidable matchday squad for South Africa’s opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday. The line-up includes 18 Rugby World Cup winners and only one player who made his Test debut during the recent Castle Lager Incoming Series.

The Boks will be aiming for their fifth consecutive victory over the Wallabies, having beaten them twice in Australia last year and once each in 2023 and 2022. Erasmus’s selection blends experience with exciting attacking potential, as the team looks to kick off their title defence in style.

Only three players in the squad have five Test caps or fewer. Utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, winger Edwill van der Merwe, and prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who earned his first Test cap against Italy in July.

The match will also be a milestone for veteran lock Eben Etzebeth, who will extend his record as the most capped Springbok to 134 Tests. This will see him move into joint 10th place on the all-time international appearances list alongside Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins.

Erasmus has gone for an electric back three of Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Van der Merwe, while Jesse Kriel and Andre Esterhuizen will partner in the midfield following Damian de Allende’s recovery from a minor back niggle. Manie Libbok starts at fly-half with Grant Williams at scrum-half, providing an attacking spark.

Siya Kolisi will captain the side from number eight for the first time in his Test career, joining Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden in the loose trio. Etzebeth will pack down alongside Lood de Jager in the second row, with Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw forming a powerful front row.

On the bench, Erasmus has opted for a five-three split between forwards and backs. Bongi Mbonambi, Wessels, and Ntlabakanye will provide front-row cover, while Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith offer versatility in the pack. The backline reinforcements are Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, and Damian Willemse.

Erasmus said the squad was the result of careful planning over the last few weeks. “We have been experimenting with player combinations during the Castle Lager Incoming Series and at our conditioning camp, and we believe this team will allow us to play the type of rugby we want against Australia,” he said.

He acknowledged the Wallabies’ recent improvement, including a 22-12 win following a narrow 29-26 defeat to the British and Irish Lions. “They are a physical and well-coached side who will come out firing. We know they will want to change their recent record against us and secure their first-ever victory at Ellis Park. But we have worked hard to prepare and are confident in our plan,” Erasmus added.

He also explained his decision to give Cheslin Kolbe more time before returning to action. “Cheslin has recovered from his niggle and trained last week, but we decided to be cautious. Edwill has been in good form and deserves his opportunity.”

With the stage set at one of rugby’s most iconic venues, the Springboks will be looking to send a strong message in their quest to retain the Rugby Championship crown.

The Springbok team to face Australia in Johannesburg.

15 Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 12 caps, 35 points 14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 3 caps, 25 points 13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 80 caps, 95 points 12 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 20 caps, 0 points 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 26 caps, 100 points 10 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 20 caps, 108 points 9 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 25 points 8 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 93 caps, 60 points 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 88 caps, 60 points 6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 27 caps, 15 points 5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 67 caps, 25 points 4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 133 caps, 35 points 3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 18 caps, 0 points 2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 78 caps, 115 points 1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 41 caps, 0 points

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 79 caps, 70 points 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 10 points 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions) – 1 cap, 0 points 19 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 79 caps, 20 points 20 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 53 caps, 45 points 21 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 40 caps, 70 points 22 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 35 points 23 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 41 caps, 61 points