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5h ago

Rassie Erasmus Makes 13 Changes, Names Andre Esterhuizen Springbok Captain for Perth Test

Erasmus is using the Perth match to manage workloads, test forward versatility and widen his leadership group, a move that will shape first-round URC squads.

Rugby Union - Nations Championship - South Africa v Wales - Kings Park Stadium, Durban, South Africa - July 18, 2026 South Africa's Herschel Jantjies scores their fifth try REUTERS/Rogan Ward
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Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Ireland v South Africa - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - November 22, 2025 Ireland's Josh van der Flier and Ronan Kelleher in action with South Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 9, 2024 Australia's Taniela Tupou in action REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

Overview

  • On Tuesday, September 22, Erasmus announced a heavily rotated Springbok starting XV with 13 changes for the one-off Test against Australia in Perth and named Andre Esterhuizen as captain.
  • Handré Pollard returns at flyhalf and Herschel Jantjies pairs at nine, while the bench is stacked with experienced forwards to allow tactical experiments in the pack.
  • Erasmus said the selection's aims are to manage player recovery after the All Blacks series, trial positional versatility such as shifting Jan-Hendrik Wessels to hooker, and expand leadership options ahead of the World Cup cycle.
  • Clubs have already adjusted their URC plans: the Bulls published a 32-man touring squad for their opening fixtures to cover six players called into the Springbok squad and other South African teams have altered first-round selections.
  • The URC season begins on Friday, September 25, with a trial to standardize Thursday 15:00 SAST team announcements designed to improve coordination between international call-ups and domestic line-ups.