OPINION: Why have the Springboks not rested more players for Australian sojourn?

The Springboks are set to face the Wallabies in a one-off Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, though they may have overlooked the opportunity to rest more of their first team. The Boks' season has been intense, beginning with a non-Test against the Barbarians in June, followed by three home Nations Championship Tests in July, a one-off Test in Argentina in August, and four matches in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, which they won 3-1, with the final match just over a week ago in Baltimore.

Despite coach Rassie Erasmus' usual habit of rotating players, only Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende have been rested, and no calls have been made, which is surprising considering the perfect chance for the Boks to test their depth. Players such as Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Damian Willemse, Jasper Wiese, and Ruan Nortje, who have played a lot recently, could have used a break.

Even injured and concussed players like Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, who have been in the squad throughout, might have benefited from a rest. This weekend, players who didn't travel to the US, such as Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Cobus Wiese, and Ben-Jason Dixon, could be given a rest. Still, the Boks are expected to use several fringe players, including Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Herschel Jantjies, Cameron Hanekom, and Franco Mostert, in the upcoming New Zealand series.