Earlier this week, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opted for a traditional 5-3 forwards-to-backs split on the bench for this Saturday’s Test against Australia, but he did add one notable caveat.
“We are not sure what Australia will do. If they go with a 6-2 split on the bench, we might bring in RG [Snyman] on Thursday to counter that,” the Springbok coach revealed.
As it turns out, the Wallabies did just that, with powerhouse loose forward and former youth rower Nick Champion de Crespigny included on the Australia bench to undoubtedly help counter the Springboks’ physicality.
If the Springboks do then bring in another forward – expected to be RG Snyman – to strengthen the ‘bomb squad’, Canan Moodie would then likely be the unlucky back to miss out.
Will Rassie Erasmus ‘stick or twist’ with his team selection
As it stands, Erasmus opted for five forwards and three backs on the replacements bench, where Bongi Mbonambi, Wessels and Ntlabakanye will serve as the impact front row, along with utility forwards Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith.
The three backs on the bench are Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, and Damian Willemse.
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit , 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
What is your score prediction?
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