The Springboks have made ten changes to their team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against the Wallabies in Perth.

The scrumhalf Morné van den Berg and the lock Ruan Nortjé are both in the starting XV for the first time. Both of these players made their respective debuts in Bloemfontein, with Van den Berg having recently played against Portugal, while Nortjé debuted again in Wales in 2022.

A new front row has been named with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Thomas du Toit all starting, while Salmaan Moerat is the captain again. In the backline, Aphelele Fassi, Lukhanyo Am, and Makazole Mapimpi will also start in the Test as well.

Morné van den Berg. Photo: Morgan Piek

A strong bench has been picked with each of the eight players having previously won the Rugby World Cup. Handré Pollard is expected to cover at inside centre, while Manie Libbok will provide cover at flyhalf.

The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, said they have a lot of belief in the squad on tour. “We have a big squad, and it’s important to balance some players’ workload while at the same time bringing a few young players into the mix, and this squad allows us to do both.

“This also means that every player in this travelling squad will have an opportunity to play. All of the players who have been excluded from the squad have been regulars this season and we feel we’ll benefit in different ways by resting them this week.”

Saturday’s test in Perth kicks off at 11:45.

Wallabies – TBA

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassie, 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 Kock, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh