Johannesburg – Springboks head coach, Jacques Nienaber has announced a new squad to face Australia in the Rugby Championship’s Goal Coast on Sunday.
Making a drastic return to the squad is the experienced Number 8 Duane Vermeulen who suffered a huge injury blow to his ankle earlier this year.
According to Nienaber, Vermeulen has recovered fully from the ankle injury after he went for surgery.
Coming back from ankle injury also, is Flank Marco van Staden, Faf de Klerk (leg strain) and Herschel Jantjies (hip pointer).
🇿🇦 Seven changes to the Bok starting team for Wallaby Test
🔨 Vermeulen and De Klerk are back from injury
🗣️ "They know what it takes to perform in big matches"
👉 Team announcement: https://t.co/xcdVoj8X7n#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/yp3TbtWZXk— Springboks (@Springboks) September 8, 2021
Boks’ headman detailed a list of 13 changes to the matchday squad.
This includes seven players in the startling lineup and six set to be on the replacement bench.
Nienaber hopes to entice a winning streak, with five changes to the matchday squad that humiliated Argentina with a score sheet of 29-10.
Vermeulen takes the baton from Jasper Wiese, Eben Etzebeth stands in for Marvin Orie at lock.
The frontline will pair of new faces, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi.
Sbu Nkosi will come in place for Cheslin Kolbe following his knock to the leg during training session.
De Klerk returns for the first time since the second Test against the British & Irish Lions to replace Cobus Reinach.
Springbok team to face Australia in Goal Coast:
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 66 caps, 60 pts (12t)
14 – Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks) – 12 caps, 40 pts (8t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 19 caps, 20 pts (4t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 51 caps, 30 pts (6t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 18 caps, 80 pts (16t)
10 – Handré Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier) – 53 caps, 521 pts (6t, 82c, 105p, 4d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks) – 32 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls) – 53 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 44 caps, 5pts (1t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 56 caps, 30 pts (6t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 50 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 90 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 43 caps, 5pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) – 41 caps, 40 pts (8t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 52 caps, 5pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 39 caps, 35 pts (7t)
17 – Ox Nché (Cell C Sharks) – 4 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 24 caps, 0 pts
19 – Marco van Staden (Leicester Tigers) – 6 caps, 0 pts
20 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 12 caps, 5 pts (1t)
21 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 5 caps, 0 pts
22 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 12 caps, 5pts (1t)
Springbok record against Australia:
Played 88; Won 48, Lost 37, Drawn 3; Points for 1733, Points against 1550; Tries scored 202, Tries conceded 159; Highest score 61 pts, Biggest win 45 pts; Win %: 54%.
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