Rugby
Boks shuffle the deck for must-win Wallabies showdown─── MORGAN PIEK 14:28 Wed, 20 Aug 2025
The Springboks have made no fewer than ten changes to their side for Saturday’s must-win Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies in Cape Town.
Injuries – along with last week’s 38-22 defeat on the Highveld – have forced wholesale changes to the world champions’ team. Despite this, coach Rassie Erasmus has still named a strong line-up. Regular skipper Siya Kolisi, World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, and wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe have all been ruled out.
Jesse Kriel will again lead the side in Kolisi’s absence, with the flank expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks.
Cobus Reinach. Photo: Morgan Piek
Erasmus admitted that both injuries and the defeat to the Wallabies had altered his selection plans for the weekend.
“We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously impacted some of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia,” Erasmus said.
“So we’ve made a few changes that we believe will give us what we need for this game. Damian (de Allende) and Cheslin (Kolbe) have both recovered from injury, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was an obvious call to bring them back.”
Players who were in contention but now miss out include Vincent Tshituka, Ethan Hooker, and Morné van den Berg.
Erasmus also underlined the importance of bouncing back, especially with back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks looming in New Zealand, including a clash at Eden Park in Auckland – a venue where the Kiwis boast a formidable record.
“We’re determined to get things right this week. Boan Venter got a taste of facing Australia last week, Ruan (Nortje) did well against them last year, and it will be good for a few other guys to test themselves against one of the top teams in the world. That’s how we keep building squad depth.
Jesse Kriel. Photo: Morgan Piek
“We’re happy with this group, and everyone’s aligned on what needs to be done to lift our standards.”
Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and Wallabies at Cape Town Stadium in Green Point kicks off at 17:10.
Springboks - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements - 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Wallabies – TBA
