{
  "id": 9083164,
  "title": "Five Springboks who could benefit from more minutes against Australia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/five-springboks-who-could-benefit-from-more-minutes-against-australia",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T04:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/2026-09-22-five-springboks-who-could-benefit-from-more-minutes-against-australia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "With head coach Rassie Erasmus expected to rotate his Springboks squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Australia in Perth, several fringe players are likely to get valuable minutes after limited or no game time in the recent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash with the All Blacks. Among these potential starters are Ethan Hooker, Manie Libbok, Morné van den Berg, and Aphelele Fassi. Hooker, who missed all four Tests due to a calf injury but is now fit and ready to travel, will be eager to rebuild his rhythm at Test level and demonstrate his importance to the national team. Libbok, who made an immediate impact in limited opportunities against New Zealand and improved in his last two games, could benefit from a larger opportunity to showcase his physicality and work rate from the first whistle. Van den Berg, who steadily increased his involvement against the Kiwis and started the final Test in Baltimore, has outperformed the more experienced Cameron Roigard and could get another starting shot in Perth. Fassi, who had no involvement against New Zealand, could also benefit from a return to the starting line-up as the Boks manage their backline workload, giving him the chance to regain confidence and impress Erasmus with his versatility.",
  "summary": "Rassie Erasmus could rotate his Springbok squad for Sunday’s Test against Australia, creating opportunities for five players to strengthen their claims for regular Test minutes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}