Boks forced into late change ahead of Wallabies clash in Cape Town

Mawande Mateza

Mawande Mateza

22 August 2025 | 8:25

Fullback Willie Le Roux has withdrawn from the team after sustaining an injury in training this week. He hasn’t been able to recover in time, and his place will be taken by Aphelele Fassi.

Boks forced into late change ahead of Wallabies clash in Cape Town

FILE: South African players walk in the pitch ahead of the start of the second half during the international rugby union Test match between South Africa and Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on 19 July 2025. Picture: PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP

JOHANNESBURG - The Springboks have been forced into a late change ahead of their Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Cape Town this weekend. 

Fullback Willie Le Roux has withdrawn from the team after sustaining an injury in training this week. He hasn’t been able to recover in time, and his place will be taken by Aphelele Fassi.

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Le Roux, who last made an appearance in his 100th Test match in Gqeberha against Italy, was one of 10 changes made to the line-up that tasted a bitter 38-22 defeat at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Kick-off at DHL Stadium on Saturday afternoon is at 17:10.

Updated Springbok team to face Australia in Cape Town:

15 Aphelele Fassi 
14 Canan Moodie 
13 Jesse Kriel (captain)
12 Damian de Allende 
11 Cheslin Kolbe 
10 Handre 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

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