The largely-changed Springboks sent to battle the wounded Wallabies is no sign of disrespect to the Australians but a flex of the squad depth South Africa has built under coach Rassie Erasmus.
That’s the opinion of the former Boks star and Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Odwa Ndungane as the two nations are putting the final touches before they have a go at each other again in the fight for the Rugby Championship title.
The back-to-back World Cup winners and rebuilding Aussies meet at Perth Stadium in Australia on Saturday at 11:45 (South African time).
Erasmus made 10 changes to the side that dismantled Wallabies by 33-7 in Brisbane last weekend, with Salmaan Moerat to lead the Boks on Saturday in the absence of Siya Kolisi.
The team picked by Erasmus has been viewed and termed as Boks ‘B’ and others went as far as saying Australia is being disrespected by their visitors.
“You can understand why a lot of people are crying foul or disrespect, but if you look at players that are playing, there’s a lot of experience there,” Ndungane said.
“Just on that matchday 23, there’s a total of 14 World Cup-winning Springboks and I think it just speaks volumes on the type of squad that Rassie has managed to build in the time as head coach.
“One can’t help but be excited about the changes. If you look at the backline, with Aphelele Fassi getting a chance to start at fullback and Lukhanyo Am at 12, people have felt he is also quite a comfortable player at 12.
“Him (Am), Jessie (Kriel) and Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) would be exciting to watch,” he said.
However, Ndungane worries about the lack of experience in the first and second rows.
Loosehead prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels and hooker Johan Grobbelaar will earn their second cap in the clash and will be boosted by the support of experienced tighthead prop Thomas du Toit.
In the second row, skipper Moerat, who has played eight times for Boks, partners with Ruan Nortje who has featured once for the side.
“My only concern, if I look at that Springbok starting line-up is the tight five and I think that’s where Australia would want to target the youngers in the front. It’s guys that haven’t played a lot of Test matches and a lock pair that hasn’t played a lot together,” Ndungane said.
“But they’ve picked experience on the bench understanding this would be a tough Test and require an 80-minute performance.”
The #Springboks team for tomorrow's clash against Australia in Perth 🇿🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/DWJCv706Q4
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 16, 2024
While Ndungane backs the Springboks to claim another victory this weekend, he expects a stronger pushback from the Wallabies than the opening match of the Championship.
“Australia would want to bounce back and you can see by the changes they have made to their side, bringing in experience. Nic White would be very important in driving that team.
“And (Marika) Koroibete, we all know what a strong runner and finisher he is.”
Ndungane also backs Argentina to claim another shocking victory over their hosts, the All Blacks, at Eden Park at 9:05.
Right down to the wire in Perth against the Springboks from 2012 💪
— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 15, 2024
📅 Sat 17 Aug, 5:45PM AWST
🆚 South Africa
🏟️ Optus Stadium
🎟️ https://t.co/zPBTFPUhHS
📺 @stansportau | @channel9 | @9Now #Wallabies #TRC2024 pic.twitter.com/f7ApJUgQub
Springbok team to face Australia in Perth:
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), 13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), 12 – Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), 9 – Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), 8 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), 7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), 6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), 5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), 4 – Salmaan Moerat (captain, DHL Stormers), 3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath), 2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), 1 – Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), 17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 19 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), 21 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 22 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), 23 – Handré Pollard.
Wallabies team:
1. Angus Bell, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (captain) 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Tom Wright
Replacements:
16. Billy Pollard, 17. James Slipper, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Max Jorgensen.
