The Springboks head to Suncorp Stadium in search of their first win at the ground since 2013 and Erasmus has certainly made some interesting selection calls in an attempt to end their losing streak.
The Bok head coach has once again opted for a 6-2 split and while he has picked a rather experienced team boasting 836 Test caps in the starting XV and 269 on the bench, there is still some tinkering as he continues to ease the next generation in. Without further ado, here are our winners and losers from the team named for the Rugby Championship opener.
Winners
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is without a doubt the biggest winner from Erasmus’ match-day 23 selection as the 22-year-old earns his first start for the Springboks, having made his Test debut against Wales at Twickenham in June.
The rookie has quickly become a regular for the Springboks — aided by his versatility and Damian Willemse’s absence — but has taken his opportunities with both hands.
He made a telling impact off the bench in each of his four previous matches, playing nearly a full match at full-back in the second Test against Ireland, and now gets the chance to shine from the first whistle.
It isn’t just the fact that he is handed the start but the manner in which he is getting it in a huge Test match away from home against a team that the Springboks have struggled to beat on the road.
He has also been afforded the luxury of a hugely experienced backline around him equipping him with all the tools to succeed. All of the other six backline players are Rugby World Cup winners and outside of Kurt-Lee Arendse, the other players have all played more than 30 Test caps.
Willie le Roux’s inclusion at full-back is also a huge asset to the youngster as the veteran will assist him in running the attack – and few are better at doing just that than the veteran Bok. Lastly, Erasmus has included Handre Pollard as an ‘insurance policy’ on the bench which will allow the rookie to go out and express himself.
Cobus Reinach
Even with Faf de Klerk and Jaden Hendrikse injured, there is plenty of competition at scrum-half with Morne van den Berg and Grant Williams making the trip Down Under. However, Cobus Reinach is full deserving of his opportunity after a tidy performance against Portugal.
Many still question the 34-year-old’s inclusion in the squad but he seldom has an under-par performance for the Springboks and this week he is the perfect mix of experience and X-factor to partner Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the half-backs.
Elrigh Louw
After initially being overlooked for the mid-year internationals by the Springboks coaching staff, Elrigh Louw was given the opportunity to stake his claim against Portugal and he certainly took it with both hands. A 33-minute cameo against Os Lobos saw him leapfrog Evan Roos in the pecking order and booked his ticket to Australia.
With Jasper Wiese still suspended, it was a two-horse race for the starting number eight jumper between Louw and Kwagga Smith and he has come out on top this week. Frankly, it is just reward after a superb season for the Bulls.
Willie le Roux
Le Roux continues to edge closer to becoming the eighth Springboks centurion as he will earn his 96th Test cap on Saturday. The veteran is back from a second and hopefully last concussion of the year but his return straight into the starting XV only highlights his importance to the team. A true general with his masterful attacking eye, Le Roux will be crucial to getting the Springboks’ new attacking structure firing.
Ben-Jason Dixon
Another huge Test match awaits Ben-Jason Dixon, who starred against Wales and Portugal, as he fills the lock cover on the bench. Dixon flew somewhat under the radar for the Stormers this season but has clearly impressed the coaching staff with his performances in the mid-year internationals.
While he is seen as a successor to Pieter-Steph du Toit at blind side, he will likely replace either Eben Etzebeth or RG Snyman against the Wallabies. — rugbyplanet.
