Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus selected a star-studded matchday 23 for this weekend’s Test against the Wallabies, and there aren’t all that many ‘newcomers’ who have cracked the nod for this tournament opener.
However, there are still some big opportunities for a few ‘fringe’ players, and here we look at three who can truly shake things up with a big performance.
THREE SPRINGBOKS TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON AGAINST WALLABIES
Edwill van der Merwe
The talented wing has made a flying start to his Test career, but there is no doubt that this Saturday’s Test against the Wallabies will present his biggest challenge to date. With Cheslin Kolbe rested as a precaution due to an injury niggle, Van der Merwe must make the most of this rare opportunity to don the No 14 in such a high-profile fixture, and to prove that there is not all that much that separates him from his first-choice counterparts.
Andre Esterhuizen
In rapid fashion, Esterhuizen has become an integral member of the current Springbok group, particularly due to the fact he is viewed as a unique hybrid player who can cover centre and flank. Damian de Allende is virtually irreplaceable at inside centre, but this is another game where Esterhuizen can demonstrate just how much he has progressed as a player over the last 24 months, while ramping up the competition for that No 12 jersey.
Marco van Staden
With Siya Kolisi owning the No 6 jersey, the opportunity for Van Staden to earn a start in a ‘big’ game like this came as quite a surprise as the Springbok captain was instead shifted to eighthman. Van Staden has clearly been chosen for his impact at the breakdown, and to negate some of the Wallabies’ threats in this area, and so it will be fascinating to see how he grabs this opportunity especially considering it surely won’t be all that long before Kolisi returns to his more regular position at openside flank.
What do you expect from these three players this weekend?
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