Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will wear the Bok No 10 jersey against the Wallabies on Saturday. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named his matchday-23 for the Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday (6.45am).
Erasmus has opted to hand first Test starts to Elrigh Louw at number eight and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf.
The Bok boss said he was excited to see Louw and Feinberg-Mngomezulu play from the start after both previously only played off the bench for the Boks.
“Sacha has made a notable impact off the bench in all four Tests he has played so far, and he’s slotted into the system with ease, so we are excited to see what dynamic he adds to the team as a starter,” said Erasmus.
“His goal-kicking has also been impressive, and we know that against teams like Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina the margins are very small, so every point will count.
“We’re also keen to see what Elrigh brings to the game, given his consistently strong performances for the Bulls in the last few seasons and off the bench against Portugal. With Pieter-Steph (du Toit) and Siya (Kolisi) alongside him, he’ll have good guidance to play to his strengths and do what he does best.”
Willie le Roux is also back at fullback, while Cobus Reinach takes over at scrumhalf in place of the injured Faf de Klerk.
Besides Louw getting a start at No 8, where he takes over from Kwagga Smith, who started both Tests against Ireland at the back of the scrum, RG Snyman will partner Eben Etzebeth in the second row while Bongi Mbonambi is the starting hooker.
The side will be led by Siya Kolisi, who’ll earn a 86th Bok cap.
On the bench, which has a 6-2 split between forwards and backs, Ben-Jason Dixon hangs on to his place after a strong showing against Portugal, while the two backs replacements are Grant Williams and Handre Pollard.
The Wallabies team, now coached by Joe Schmidt, will be named later in the week.
Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handré Pollard
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