André Esterhuizen to captain new-look Springboks against Australia as Rassie rings changes

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a revamped lineup for their upcoming Test against Australia in Perth. The changes mark significant milestones for forward Jasper Wiese, who will earn his 50th Test cap from the replacements bench, and winger André Esterhuizen, who will become the 68th player to captain South Africa. Erasmus made 13 alterations to the team announced on Tuesday, with only lock Eben Etzebeth and wing Ethan Hooker remaining in the starting lineup from their 43-28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore.

The new lineup includes a revamped front row featuring props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen, as well as hooker Johan Grobbelaar, while Etzebeth partners with Franco Mostert in the backline. The Boks have opted for a new halfback duo of Herschel Jantjies and Handre Pollard, who has recovered from a minor injury that kept him out during the recent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) campaign.

The midfield will see Esterhuizen joining forces with Canan Moodie, while Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, and Aphelele Fassi form the back three. Nine of the selected players participated in the final Test against the All Blacks in the USA, with the trio of Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Wilco Louw forming the backup front row. Lood de Jager will again provide lock cover, while the three backup backs are Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Quan Horn.

Erasmus expressed confidence in the new combinations, acknowledging that Australia presents a different challenge compared to New Zealand.