Rassie Erasmus has backed the Springboks’ mix of experience and youth against Wales on Saturday to finish the year on a high for the world champions.
The Bok boss on Tuesday named his matchday 23 for South Africa’s 13th and final Test of 2024 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, where halfbacks Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse will become the 36th set of brothers to play together in the green and gold jersey.
In one of seven changes to the 23-man squad that beat England at Twickenham last week, loose forward Cameron Hanekom is set for his debut off the bench. Jean Kleyn returns at lock alongside Franco Mostert, while Elrigh Louw replaces World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, at blindside flanker.
A 6-2 bench includes Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman and Handre Pollard.
“This is our last match of the season, and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note,” said Erasmus. “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 Vodacom Bulls in the Vodacom URC.
“Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play No 6, 7 and 8, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”
Erasmus, whose squad includes 17 World Cup winners, was also delighted to have Kleyn back in the mix.
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“Jean is an experienced player who has played in two World Cup tournaments, one for the Springboks and one for Ireland, and he has been in good form for Munster, so it’s good to have him back in the team alongside Franco, who he knows very well,” he added.
“Both of them only recently returned from injury and will play pivotal roles in the lineouts and set pieces, and we have no doubt Eben and RG will make a big impact off the bench with their high work rate and physicality around the park.”
Erasmus expected a challenging clash against Wales despite the hosts going into the match on a disappointing run of 11 defeats in a row, and said his charges had to be ready mentally and physically to face a team determined to show that they can turn things around.
“Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they’ll do everything to finish their campaign on a high note,” he said.
“We’ve experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they’ll 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’d love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we’ve have a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium.”
Erasmus said there were plenty of examples of teams reversing their fortunes from the status of underdogs.
“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,” said Erasmus.
“So, we’ll show Wales the same respect we showed England and Scotland, and we know we know we have to be at our best to come out with the result we want. They are a team with everything to gain and nothing to lose, so it would be careless of us to think that we just need to pitch up and the result will go in our favour.
“In fact, a little over a year ago, they played in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, which is a testament to the force they can be.”
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
