Six changes as Boks gear up for Wallabies

As predicted earlier in the week, coach Rassie Erasmus has made six changes to the side that lost 32-19 in Mendoza and one positional shift ahead of their clash against the Wallabies this Saturday.

Notably, the uncapped Cheslin Kolbe secures himself a place on the bench and is expected to make his debut come Saturday.

The Boks also boast a new look front row and complete;y changed centre pairing.

Steven Kitshoff and Bongi Mbonambi move from their usual role as impact players, into the starting XV, while Beast Mtawarira and Malcolm Marx are rested on the bench.

Sharks centre duo Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am have been dropped to make way for Damian De Allende (returning from injury) and Jesse Kriel.

While Warren Whiteley retains his spot at eighthman, Pieter- Steph Du Toit shifts to the blindside seeing captain Kolisi return to the Number 6 jersey.

Handre Pollard has been demoted to the bench, seeing Elton Jantjies given another shot as the starting flyhalf. Damian Willemse subsequently drops out of the match 23.

“We are looking for a good response on Saturday against the Wallabies and I am sure that this side will be up to the task,” said Erasmus.

“Australia, playing at home, will no doubt be highly motivated to bounce back, so we have to be ready for a huge contest,” said Erasmus.

“We have worked hard to rectify our errors of last week and we know the set piece and breakdown battles are going to especially be important. The Wallabies are known for their abilities at the breakdown and we will have to be accurate and disciplined in those areas.”

Teams:

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Cheslin Kolbe

Australia

15 Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Jack Maddocks