Rassie names Boks squad to face Wallabies
Coach Rassie Erasmus raised a few eyebrows with his selections with the inclusion of Aphelele Fassi at fullback, Manie Libbok at flyhalf and captain Siya Kolisi at 8th man.
FILE: Siya Kolisi of South Africa during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series rugby union match between Wales and South Africa on 23 November 2024 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Picture: Simon King / ProSportsImages / DPPI via AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The Springbok team to play Australia in the opening Rugby Championship match has been announced.
Coach Rassie Erasmus raised a few eyebrows with his selections with the inclusion of Aphelele Fassi at fullback, Manie Libbok at flyhalf and captain Siya Kolisi at 8th man.
Star winger Cheslin Kolbe missed out on selection after struggling with a knee injury in the lead-up to the game. His place in the starting lineup will be taken by Edwill van der Merwe.
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The world champion Springboks will take on the Wallabies on Saturday at Ellis Park at 5pm.
Springbok team to face Australia in Johannesburg:
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Edwill van der Merwe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
10 Manie Libbok
9 Grant Williams
8 Siya Kolisi (C)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Marco van Staden
5 Lood de Jager
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 Bongi Mbonambi
17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye
19 Franco Mostert
20 Kwagga Smith
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Canan Moodie
23 Damian Willemse