Rassie Erasmus has revealed a Springboks team to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, with seven changes from the XV that overcame England. The South Africans defeated the English 29-20 in London last Saturday, and they will now look to go unbeaten in their three-game Autumn Nations Series against Wales, with two backline changes and five more pack adjustments.
Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse have been selected the starting half-backs, replacing Manie Libbok and Grant Williams. They are the first brothers to play together since Dan and Robert du Preez faced Wales in Washington DC at the beginning of the 2018 season.
Ox Nche, Siya Kolisi, and Jasper Wiese are the three front-runners, with Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, and Elrigh Louw joining them. Grobbelaar is at hooker for Bongi Mbonambi, having last played on Match Day 23 against Australia in Perth, while du Toit returns as tighthead for Wilco Louw.
The fit-again Kleyn, who last participated in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, and Mostert replace benched combination Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman in the second row. Meanwhile, Elrigh Louw has replaced Pieter-Steph du Toit in the back row, who has a shoulder niggle. Cameron Hanekom is likely to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season, joining a bench of six forwards and two backs.
Erasmus stated in a SA Rugby release, “This is our final match of the season, and we are determined to end the year on a high note.” We chose a squad with a nice balance of experience and young, which is critical as we aim to retain some continuity in selection while also giving guys like Jordan and Cameron, who have excelled in training on tour, an opportunity to show us what they can do.
Team Form
Last Five Games
Team Logo: 20-52
Team Logo 19-24
Team Logo: 35 – 36 36 – 28 25 – 16 20 – 29 15 – 32 48 – 7 29 – 28 18 – 12 Team Logo: 1 Wins: 4 2 Streak: 3 16 Tries Scored: 20 -53 Difference: 72 2/5 First Attempt: 4/5 3/5 First Points
3/5 2/5 Race for 10 points
4/5
“Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are keen to see how he directs play with Jaden alongside him, and we are also pleased that Cameron is getting a chance to play after shown his talent in training throughout the tour and for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.
“Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play No6, No7 and No8, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”
The coach went on to say, “Wales is a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they will do everything they can to finish their campaign on a high note.” We’ve seen firsthand how a string of defeats can galvanize a squad, and the fact that they’ll be playing at home with a raucous crowd will only encourage them more – just as our fans do when we play at home.
“Obviously, we’d like to finish the tour unbeaten, but we’re also conscious that we’ve had a few close games against them at the Principality Stadium over the years. A change in confidence and perspective can bring about a lot of change in rugby, and Australia is an excellent illustration of how things can alter in the sport when compared to last year.
South Africa (against. Wales on Saturday)
15. Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 10 caps, 30 points (6t).
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath): 39 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p).
13. Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 78 caps, 90 points (18t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 86 caps, 55 points (11).
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 23 caps, 85 points (17t).
10. Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 7 points (2c, 1p).
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks): 19 caps, 19 points (2t, 3c, 1p).
8. Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 33 caps, 10 points (2t).
7. Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 points.
6. Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 91 caps, 60 points (12t).
5. Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 77 caps, 15 points (3t).
4. Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 points (Ireland 5 caps)
3. Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 22 caps, 5 points (1t)
2. Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points.
1. Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points.
Replacements: 16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 75 caps, 105 points (21).
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps and 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks): 60 caps, 0 points.
19. Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 130 caps, 30 points (6t).
20. RG Snyman (Leinster) – 39 caps, 10 points (2t)
21. Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – uncapped
22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 38 caps, 70 points (14t).
23 Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 79 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg).
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