Springboks Shake Up Line-up for Australia Clash

South Africa has made ten changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship test against Australia, giving first starts to Morne van den Berg and Ruan Nortje. Coach Rassie Erasmus is focusing on building squad depth with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup.

The South African rugby team has made ten changes to their starting lineup for their upcoming Rugby Championship test against Australia in Perth this Saturday. This includes first starts for scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and lock Ruan Nortje. The Springboks, who defeated the Wallabies 33-7 in Brisbane last weekend, are giving several established players a rest to provide further experience to their wider group, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.

Aphelele Fassi will be starting at fullback, joining a back three comprised of Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi. Jesse Kriel retains his position at outside centre alongside Lukhanyo Am, who will take on the number 12 jersey for this match. Young flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, aged 22, keeps his place in the team after an impressive previous performance.

In the forward lineup, props Thomas du Toit and Jan-Hendrik Wessels are set to start on either side of hooker Johan Grobbelaar in a revamped front row. The new lock pairing will feature captain Salmaan Moerat and Nortje. Elrigh Louw stays at number eight, while Pieter-Steph du Toit shifts back to flanker and Marco van Staden completes the back row. Erasmus emphasized the importance of building squad depth with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup.

(With inputs from agencies.)