The flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and loose-forward Elrigh Louw will make their run-on debuts for the Springboks on Saturday in the Rugby Championship clash against Australia in Brisbane.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has been the find of the season thus far, will get the marshal in the backline, while the former Shimla, Louw, will start at 8th-man in place of the injured Evan Roos.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will form the halfback combination with Cobus Reinach who enjoyed a rare start in Bloemfontein in the Test against Portugal.
It was expected that the Springbok would go with their experience against the Wallabies as they firstly seek a fast start to the Championship, and secondly to claim a rare victory Down Under.
The experienced hooker Malcolm Marx will make his return from the bench, while seasoned campaigner, Handré Pollard, will be backup for the 22-year-old Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
There is a concern over the towering lock, RG Snyman, and while he has been named in the squad, Ruan Venter, is on standby should he now be fit to play.
The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, told OFM Sport that it’s wonderful to have such depth in the number 10 jersey.
“It’s a big opportunity for him, but it’s the same for Elrigh Louw, and Grant Williams playing off the bench and a few others,” said Erasmus.
“We also have a few injury concerns and let me ‘sommer’ address that, we have Ruan Venter standing by for RG Snyman.
‘We’ve got some nice depth at ten’
“After a World Cup, you’re going to find some guys knocking on the door, but to have a guy like Handré with more than 70 caps on the bench, you know, that’s nice security. Obviously, you know with Damian Willemse still out, we’ve given Jordan Hendrikse an opportunity, and with Manie Libbok here, we’ve got some nice depth at ten.
“But yes, it’s an exciting opportunity for him – hopefully the forwards can give him the platform and he has got a smooth game, which will be tough.” Saturday’s big Rugby Championship Test in Brisbane kicks off at 06:30.
Wallabies – TBA
Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sascha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, Handré Pollard.
Morgan Piek
