Springbok team to face Wallabies in Perth: Moerat to lead new-look side

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Tuesday named his team to face the Wallabies in Perth in the second Test of the Rugby Championship on Saturday, with kick-off at 11.55am.

The Boks won the first clash between the nations, in Brisbane, 33-7 last weekend.

Erasmus has opted to make wholesale changes to his team for the match, with Salmaan Moerat captaining the team.

Changes at back and up front

Aphelele Fassi will play fullback, Lukhanyo Am comes in at inside centre, Makazole Mapimpi will wear the No 11 jersey and Morne van den Berg will be the scrumhalf, his first Test start.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will again take charge of the flyhalf position.

Up front, Marco van Staden comes in for captain Siya Kolisi, while Ruan Nortje will join Moerat in the second row, also to make his first Test start.

There is also a new front row comprising Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

In all, there are 10 changes to the starting side that played last weekend.

‘Have full faith in younger generation’

Interestingly, Erasmus has opted to go with three backs on his bench this week, namely Grant Williams and both of his flyhalves, Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok.

“We made it clear from the outset this season that one of our main goals is to build squad depth with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup here in Australia, and we feel there is no better way to test some of the younger players and assess where we are as a group against a top-Tier nation, especially away from home, in this match,” said Erasmus.

“We have a group of about 45 players that are part of our wider squad this season and we’ve seen what most of these players can do. We have full faith in the younger generation of players coming through, and we feel this is the right time to Test them against an Australian outfit that will be desperate to bounce back strongly from last weekend.”

Springbok team to face Australia in Perth:

Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat (capt), Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handré Pollard