Kolbe and Notshe to make first starts for Springboks

Rassie Erasmus has handed first starts to Cheslin Kolbe and Sikhumbuzo Notshe for South Africa’s Rugby Championship clash with Australia on Saturday.

Winger Kolbe and back-rower Notshe, who takes over from the injured Warren Whiteley at number eight, are drafted in as Erasmus is forced to make changes to the XV that began the win over New Zealand last time out.

Jesse Kriel lined up on the wing in the stunning 36-34 triumph in Wellington but moves back into the centres for the Test in Port Elizabeth.

He is paired with Andre Esterhuizen in a new-look midfield partnership as both Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am are ruled out through injury.

Tendai Mtawarira will win his 106th cap as he starts in the front row instead of fellow prop Steven Kitshoff, who is named on the bench.

Marco van Staden and Damian Willemse are also included among the list of replacements, while Embrose Papier is selected as the reserve scrum-half ahead of Ross Cronje.

Notshe takes over from the injured @WarrenWhiteley at No 8, while Kolbe will start at right wing in place of @JesseKriel15, who moves to the midfield with Andre Esterhuizen in the wake of injuries to De Allende and Am. @Beast_TM and @StevenKitshoff rotate at No 1. #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/d19oT9tUaT

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) September 27, 2018

“Cheslin has been very impressive since he joined the squad a few weeks ago and now he gets a deserved opportunity to start in a big Test,” Erasmus said.

“The same applies for Notshe, who did very well in the role of impact player during the English series. He has kept on working hard and he deserves his opportunity in the starting team.”

The Boks lost the reverse fixture in Australia, failing to score a point in the second half of a 23-18 defeat in Brisbane.

However, the two sides have had contrasting results since their last encounter; while South Africa upset the All Blacks, the Wallabies were surprisingly beaten on home soil by Argentina.

South Africa XV to face Australia: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Tendai Mtawarira, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier, Elton Jantjies, Damian Willemse.

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