Eben Etzebeth has been confirmed as the Boks’ stand-in skipper for this Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park.

With Siya Kolisi still completing his rehabilitation from a knee injury, Etzebeth will take over the leadership reins for this weekend’s battle in Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, Herschel Jantjies will make his much-anticipated Springbok debut as he forms the halfback partnership with Elton Jantjies.

Rynhardt Elstadt will also win his first Springbok cap after coming off an excellent season with French Top 14 champions Toulouse.

Vodacom Bulls loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka could make his first appearance after being named as a replacement, with Beast Mtawarira making his first start since April after recovering from injury.

Four overseas-based players – tighthead prop Vincent Koch, flank Marcell Coetzee, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and utility back Frans Steyn – provide cover on the bench.

Should Steyn come on to the field, he will win his first Springbok cap since 2017.

Springboks – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Francois Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds.

Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images