SA Rugby has confirmed key changes to the coaching line-up of its national teams in a bid to emulate the success enjoyed by the Springboks.
Morne van den Berg and Ruan Nortje will earn their first Test starts in a Springbok team that shows 10 changes to the starting line-up for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday.
The Springboks touched down in Australia on Thursday in high spirits following an overnight flight from Johannesburg and will have the rest of the day off to recover from the long journey before resuming their on-field preparations on Friday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said his 33-member squad were beaming with excitement for what he anticipates will be a challenging tour to Australia as they prepare to depart Down Under for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a strong 33-man squad led by double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, which kicks off against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday, 10 August.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted his selection for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship would be “interesting” after seven debutants appeared in a commanding over Portugal in Bloemfontein.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reduced his squad from 41 to 25 players for the Portugal Test after the expanded squad wrapped up their main preparations for the closing match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
Salmaan Moerat will take over the Springbok captaincy for the first time when he leads a squad featuring seven uncapped players in a first Test with emerging nation Portugal in the final match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up five players to the squad for their closing Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Portugal in Bloemfontein, with the 41-man squad featuring seven uncapped players.
The Springboks lamented a sub-standard first half but made no excuses after Ireland grabbed a dramatic 25-24 victory to level the Castle Lager Incoming Series over the Springboks (1-1) in Durban on Saturday evening.