{
  "id": 9955657,
  "title": "Wallabies v Springboks in Perth: Six fringe players aiming to impress",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/wallabies-v-springboks-in-perth-six-fringe-players-aiming-to-impress",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T10:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks-wallabies-six-players-impress/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the Springboks prepare to face the Wallabies in a one-off Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, a select group of fringe players will be hoping to impress and prove their worth in the pecking order. Among them, Aphelele Fassi, who has recently returned to the national team after a long absence, will be eager to demonstrate his abilities as a reliable backup to fullback Damian Willemse. However, his recent performances have not been up to par, especially with the emergence of young talents like Quan Horn and Luan Giliomee who could soon challenge for starting positions. Canan Moodie, a 19-year-old sensation who made a stunning debut against the Wallabies in 2022, has since seen his place in the team slip due to uncertainty about his best position. With the Boks unsure of whether to slot him in at wing, outside centre, or somewhere else, Moodie will need to deliver a strong performance against the Wallabies to remind everyone of his talent. In the midfield, Jesse Kriel is the first choice, with Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Ethan Hooker preferred out wide. For Moodie, this is an opportunity to regain his status as a first-choice player. Handré Pollard, at 32 years old, might be nearing the end of his international career, having won two World Cups and 87 caps for the Springboks. However, his age does not deter him from being competitive at the highest level for another four or five years. Currently, he sits third in the pecking order behind Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok, and his kicking ability may be less sought-after due to Cheslin Kolbe's impressive goal-kicking. Pollard will be keen to show he still has what it takes to lead the Bok line as a first choice. Herschel Jantjies, who last played for the Springboks back in 2023, made a move to France for a change of scenery and has since impressed the French club Bayonne. With scrumhalf being an incredibly competitive department and a number of young talents coming through, Jantjies has been pushed out. However, with Faf de Klerk being phased out and Jaden Hendrikse falling out of favour, Jantjies has a chance to make his return to the Springbok squad. Elrigh Louw, who has been part of the competitive loose forward conveyor belt for the Boks, has suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out for almost a year. Since his return to action, he has only featured twice for the Boks, and now has another opportunity to prove his worth against the Wallabies. Finally, Johan Grobbelaar, a 39-year-old veteran who has only made 10 appearances for the Boks since his debut in 2024, will be looking to impress coach Rassie Erasmus with a big showing against the Wallabies. With Bongi Mbonambi being phased out, the Boks are in desperate need of a back-up to Malcolm Marx, but no one has been able to impress yet. Grobbelaar may be given the chance to step up and secure this role.",
  "summary": "A number of Springbok fringe players will want to take their chance to impress coach Rassie Erasmus against the Wallabies.",
  "key_points": [
    "Six fringe Springboks players aim to impress in Perth Test",
    "Aphelele Fassi seeks to prove reliability as backup to Damian Willemse",
    "Handré Pollard, 32, seeks to regain first-choice status"
  ],
  "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."
}