Seven Springboks changes for tour-ending game versus Wales

Rassie Erasmus has announced a Springboks team to take on Wales in Cardiff this Saturday that has seven changes from the XV which defeated England. The South Africans beat the English 29-20 at in London last weekend and they will now aim to complete their three-game Autumn Nations Series unbeaten with a team showing two backline alterations and five more switches in the pack against the Welsh.

Brothers Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse have been named as the starting half-backs with Manie Libbok and Grant Williams excluded. They are the first set of brothers to appear together since Dan and Robert du Preez featured against Wales in Washington DC at the start of the 2018 season.

Up front, Ox Nche, Siya Kolisi an Jasper Wiese are the three repeat picks with Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert and Elrigh Louw added to the selection. Grobbelaar is at hooker for Bongi Mbonambi, after last featuring in a match day 23 against Australia in Perth, while du Toit returns at tighthead for Wilco Louw.

The fit-again Kleyn, who last appeared in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, and Mostert are at second row in place of benched duo Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman. Meanwhile, the only back row change is Elrigh Louw replacing Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle. On the bench, where there is a six/two forwards/backs split, Cameron Hanekom is set to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season.

Erasmus explained in an SA Rugby statement: “This is our last match of the season and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note. We selected a squad that shows a good mix of experience and youth, which is crucial as we look to maintain some consistency in selection, while at the same time giving guys like Jordan and Cameron, who have been exceptional at training on tour, a chance to show us what they can do.

“Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are very excited to see how he dictates play with Jaden alongside him, and we are also delighted that Cameron is getting a chance to play after showing his class at training throughout the tour and for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.

"Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play No6, No7 and No8, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”

The coach added: “Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they will do everything to finish their campaign on a high note. We have experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they will be playing at home with a passionate crowd behind them will inspire them even more – just as our supporters inspire us when we play at home.

“Obviously we would love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we have have a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium. A lot can change in rugby with a change in confidence and mindset, and Australia is a perfect example of how things can change in the sport if one considers how well they are playing now compared to last year."

South Africa (vs Wales, Saturday)

15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 10 caps, 30 points (6t)

14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 39 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 78 caps, 90 points (18t)

12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 86 caps, 55 points (11t)

11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 23 caps, 85 points (17t)

10 – Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 7 pts (2c, 1p)

9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 19 pts (2t, 3c, 1p)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 33 caps, 10 points (2t)

7 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 points

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 91 caps, 60 points (12t)

5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 77 caps, 15 points (3t)

4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)

3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1t)

2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points

1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 75 caps, 105 points (21t)

17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 points

18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 60 caps, 0 points

19 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 130 caps, 30 points (6t)

20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 39 caps, 10 points (2t)

21 – Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) - uncapped

22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 38 caps, 70 pts (14t)

23 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 79 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg)