Winger Jaco Williams, flyhalf Vusi Moyo, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Carlu Sadie will all make their first Test appearances as Erasmus continues his commitment to building depth ahead of future international campaigns. The quartet are joined in the match-day squad by hooker André Hugo-Venter and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, who have both been included on the replacements bench. 

Hugo-Venter is in line for only his second Test cap after making his debut against Portugal in 2024, while Jantjies returns to the Springbok fold for the first time since facing Argentina in 2023.

Vusi Moyo. Photo: X

For Moyo and Williams, the occasion will be even more special as they make their Test debuts at Kings Park, the home ground they know well as Sharks players. Van Heerden, now playing his rugby in France after leaving the Stormers, and Bordeaux-Bègles prop Sadie complete the group of debutants.

Several experienced players remain unavailable because of injury. Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, André Esterhuizen, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard and Ox Nché all continue their recovery and were not considered for selection.

Moyo will steer the backline at flyhalf alongside experienced scrumhalf Cobus Reinach. Williams starts on the wing with Kurt-Lee Arendse on the opposite flank and Aphelele Fassi at fullback, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel continue their established midfield partnership.

The forward pack sees Sadie join Gerhard Steenekamp and Malcolm Marx in the front row. Van Heerden partners Cobus Wiese in the second row, with captain Pieter-Steph du Toit leading the side from the loose trio alongside Paul de Villiers and Jasper Wiese.

Erasmus has opted for a five-three split on the bench. Hugo-Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw provide front-row cover, while Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden offer options among the forwards. Jantjies, Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse complete the replacements.

The Springbok coach said the selection reflects a promise made to the squad earlier this year.

Carlü Sadie. Photo: X

“We told the players from the start of the season that, if everything went according to plan, everyone in the squad would get an opportunity in this competition. We’re excited to see what the uncapped players and those who haven’t featured for a while can bring.”

Erasmus also warned against underestimating Wales, saying their recent performances show a team on the rise.

“They pushed Scotland and Ireland hard in the Six Nations, beat Italy, defeated Fiji in this competition and were competitive against Argentina. They’ll arrive with confidence and plenty to prove.”

He added that growing squad depth remains a key priority.

Jaco Williams. Photo: World Rugby

“These players have earned their chance through consistently strong performances for their franchises. We have full confidence in them, and the experienced players around them will help them settle. Hopefully, it will be a memorable day for both the debutants and our supporters.”

Saturday’s Test at Kings Park will kick-off at 17:40.

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements – 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Damian Willemse

Wales  – TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm