Springbok Team To Face The Wallabies

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has handed Cheslin Kolbe and Sikhumbuzo Notshe their first test starts against the Wallabies this weekend.

Notshe takes over from the injured Warren Whiteley at No 8, while Kolbe will start at right wing in place of Jesse Kriel, who moves to the midfield with Andre Esterhuizen in the wake of injuries to De Allende and Am. 

Tendai Mtawarira and Steven Kitshoff rotate at no.1 while the rest of the pack remains unchanged with Frans Malherbe at tighthead with Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert in the second row. Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit remain on the side of the scrum. 

There are also a couple of changes players on the bench with Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier and Damian Willemse will join Kitshoff amongst the replacements for this Test.

Rassie Erasmus said: “Cheslin has been very impressive since he joined the squad a few weeks ago and now he gets a deserved opportunity to start. The same applies for Notshe, who has kept on working hard and he deserves his opportunity in the starting team."

The Bok bench made a telling impact in Wellington and Erasmus wants to see more of the same in PE: “The players that we sent on took their chances and that’s what we want from this group. We are trying to build experience in the squad that we can take to the Rugby World Cup.”

Springbok team to face the Wallabies