Ross Cronjé returns to the Springboks’ starting line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Bloemfontein.
Cronjé replaces Francois Hougaard in the team, while the only other change to the backline sees Dillyn Leyds running on the wing for his first start.
Leyds replaces Raymond Rhule who was released to represent the Toyota Cheetahs in the Guinness Pro14.
Upfront Francois Louw returns to run out at flank, with Jean-Luc du Preez and Pieter-Steph du Toit on the bench.
Louw said that one thing that you can expect why you play for the Springboks is pressure.
“To be honest there is always pressure when you come into the Springboks.
“There is a high expectancy on us to win as a team, especially in the Rugby Championship against side’s link New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.
“The guys had a pretty tough tour drawing to Australia and a big loss against the All Blacks.
“There is pressure for us to do well, to bounce back and get a win under the belt.”
Coetzee feels that it was the right time to drop Rhule in order to hand Leyds an opportunity.
“It’s now the right time to give Dillyn a starting opportunity as I know what I have in Raymond.
“Dillyn has played consistently well in the Currie Cup and deserves a chance.
“Raymond stays part of our plan and will join up with the squad next week in Cape Town again.”
The last time these two teams met in Bloemfontein was in September 2010 when the Wallabies beat the Springboks 41-39.
Saturday’s Test at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00.
Springboks -15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6, Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements – 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende.
Australia – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements – 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Lukhan Tui, 21 Ned Hanigan, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Samu Kerevi, 24 Henry Speight. – MORGAN PIEK
