Springboks fans sound confident about their 'B' team

Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks selection has evoked an interesting reaction from fans on Twitter this week. 

Before he revealed his selection, he said that there would be two different squads to face the Wallabies on Saturday at Ellis Park and the All Blacks next week in Wellington. This is an approach that Erasmus has suggested he may use when it comes to the World Cup as well. 

When looking at the team to face the Wallabies, only Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit are the two players that would be expected to start against the All Blacks in the World Cup pool stage, with Lood de Jager, Jesse Kriel and S’bu Nkosi also being contenders. 

However, that does not mean that the fans are not confident of the Springboks getting this weekend’s job done against Australia.

This is still an impressive team, with a formidable pack, with flankers du Toit and debutante Ryan Elstadt also capable of playing in the second row.

Scrum-half Herschel Jantjies is the other player making his debut in the starting XV and will guide a promising backline alongside Elton Jantjies.

The team still also has a lot of experience, with 107-cap veteran Tendai Mtawarira starting, so it is understandable that the fans remain confident on social media despite a raft of regulars being absent. This is what the fans have said:  

The Wallabies have not beaten South Africa at Ellis Park in 56 years and while this is undoubtedly a weakened team, they still face a tough ask in Johannesburg on Saturday. 

Despite some absences due to injury, Michael Cheika has named one of the strongest sides he can, meaning it will be a major boost for the Springboks if they do win. 

Nevertheless, the focus here is about building a team for the World Cup, and Erasmus feels that having two squads may be the best way forward. But there will still be players that work their way into the A team before September. 

WATCH: Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus announces his team to face Australia on Saturday