South Africa have named a much-changed side to face Australia when they pick up their Rugby Championship against Australia at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
Duane Vermeulen has fully recovered from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the British and Irish Lions series and will make his first Test appearance since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final win over England.
Scrum-half Faf de Klerk is also back in the team following a short absence, but winger Cheslin Kolbe has been ruled out following a leg injury he suffered in training.
The squad to take on the Wallabies includes 13 changes from the selection that defeated Argentina 29-10 in their most recent outing on August 21.
Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth also returns to the starting XV and will earn his 90th international cap, replacing Marvin Orie after he was rested for that last win over the Pumas in Gqeberha.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber was pleased to welcome back such a strong contingent of players who were pivotal to their World Cup triumph: “We have been following the progress of the injured players on a daily basis, so we knew that we would be in a position to select most of them for this match.
“Duane has played an active role off the field in our team meetings and with the analysis of the opposition, and he has also provided guidance at training. He returned to full training when we arrived in Australia, so he has been in the thick of things for a while now.
“Duane, Faf and Herschel [Jantjies] are Rugby World Cup winners, and so is Eben, who is back after we rotated him to manage his workload, while Marco [van Staden] has made a strong impact on the field this season as well, so we are pleased to have them back in the fold.”
The starting team also features an entirely new-look front row made up of props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, along with returning hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
Winger Sbu Nkosi played the full 80 minutes when South Africa bested Argentina 32-12 in their Rugby Championship opener on August 14.
The Sharks speedster—who has scored eight tries in 12 outings for the Springboks—has big boots to fill stepping in for Kolbe, who scored a decisive try in their series win over the Lions.
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Nienaber acknowledged the Toulon-bound winger was a substantial loss for the team but praised Nkosi’s talents: “Unfortunately, we lost Cheslin to injury, but we are fortunate to have Sbu who steps in. He’s been working hard at training and he is eager to get back on the field.”
The star centre partnership of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am has been retained, while Handre Pollard will continue to marshal his side at fly-half.
Sale Sharks scrum-half De Klerk will make his first appearance of the Rugby Championship, having last appeared for his country in their third Test victory over the Lions.
The reigning world champions are set for their first game in three weeks, with the remaining Rugby Championship rounds to be played out in Queensland.
The Wallabies are desperate to get points on the board following back-to-back defeats against the All Blacks, while a win could move South Africa back to the top of the standings.
South Africa team to face Australia
(Backs) Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; (Forwards) Duane Vermeulen, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff
Reps: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse
