Handré Pollard has been recalled to steer the Springboks against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday, with Manie Libbok making way after a difficult outing at Ellis Park.
Pollard, who last featured at flyhalf for the Boks against Georgia a month ago partners Grant Williams at halfback, while Libbok drops out of the matchday squad and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been drafted onto the bench to provide flyhalf cover and versatility in the backline.
Erasmus made 10 changes to the starting lineup, admitting that injuries forced his hand with some selections but hinted that changes at No 10 were also part of a broader adjustment after the Boks’ 38-22 defeat in Johannesburg.
“We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game,” Erasmus said.
The Bok coach added that Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inclusion offers both insurance and opportunity: “We are determined to get things right this week … It will be good for a few guys to experience playing against one of the top teams in the world, especially as we continue to build our squad depth.”
Libbok came under scrutiny following last week’s second-half collapse at Ellis Park, where his tactical kicking and decision-making were questioned. The shift back to Pollard, South Africa’s most experienced Test flyhalf, represents both a statement of intent and a return to a familiar formula as the Boks aim to level the series.
Elsewhere, Jesse Kriel continues as captain in the absence of Siya Kolisi, with Ox Nche serving as vice-captain. Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende return to the backline, while centurion Willie le Roux completes a back three alongside Canan Moodie.
Up front, RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje pair up in the second row – relegating veterans Eben Eztebeth and Lood de Jager to the wood – while at No 8 Jean-Luc du Preez gets his first Test start since 2018 in a back row completed by Ellis Park survivors Marco van Staden and Franco Mostert.
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Photo: Anton Geyser/AG Media