Wallabies v Springboks Test 2: Everything You Need to Know

The Springboks will once again face the Wallabies in their second Test of the Rugby Championship against the Australians, following the 25-17 loss in Adelaide last weekend. There’s no doubt that last week’s game had its fair share of controversial moments, but it’s even more evident that the Springboks have to up their game substantially.

Missed tackles, failed conversions, absent pillar defence and a number of other concerns plagued the Bok performance. These are things that can be rectified, but a lack of enthusiasm from many of the players is something that will have to be looked closer at. Thankfully, there has been some wholesale changes for the Springboks for this encounter.

Talented young Bulls utility back Canan Moodie will make his Springbok debut as injuries and the desire to try a few new player combinations saw head coach Jacques Nienaber include eight new players in the starting team.

Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am and Pieter-Steph du Toit were all ruled out due to knee injuries, while Elton Jantjies injured his hand and was not available for selection this weekend, which means Damian Willemse will move from fullback to flyhalf, Jesse Kriel will slot in at centre, and Franco Mostert has been included in the loose trio.

The 19-year-old Moodie earns his first start on the right wing in a positional switch with Warrick Gelant, who has been named among the replacements, while the experienced Willie le Roux will take Willemse’s place at fullback, with the other change in the backline at scrumhalf, where Jaden Hendrikse takes over from Faf de Klerk.

Apart from Mostert’s inclusion among the forwards, prop Steven Kitshoff and hooker Malcolm Marx earn starts in a new-look front row with Frans Malherbe, while Jasper Wiese takes over at No 8 from Duane Vermeulen, who will provide an impact off the replacements bench.

These changes see a reshuffle of the front row on the bench, with Deon Fourie serving as the replacement hooker, and Ox Nche and Trevor Nyakane providing cover at prop.

Among the backs, Cobus Reinach will serve as back-up for Hendrikse at scrumhalf, with Frans Steyn providing cover flyhalf and centre, while Gelant will offer options on the wing and fullback.

Whether injury or forced changes, seeing some fresh combinations in the Springbok squad can only be a positive thing. Some of the key players and longterm stelwarts looked exhausted in last week’s encounter, so giving them a rest while blooding in some newcomers and guys floating on the fringes of the roster couldn’t have come soon enough.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has gone with consistency this week, and named an unchanged starting XV for the first time in his International coaching career; and why not — given that the current side did the job last week and everything seems to be clicking for the Australians.

James Slipper will captain the side at loosehead prop, playing his 121st Test which equals that of Michael Hooper and former teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper. He’s joined in the front row by long-time Brumbies teammates Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa.

Dual try scorer Fraser McReight was a standout performer in the first game against the Springboks, and will once again be on the openside looking for opportunities to disrupt and attack the Springbok line. Supporting him is Rob Valetini at No. 8, who seems to be growing in size and stature as each game progresses. If there’s two men who appear to be up to the physical challenge the Springboks bring, it’s these two.

22-year-old Noah Lolesio had a great game at flyhalf last week, which has put many of his critics in the quiet-bin, and further presented him with another shot to fully claim that No. 10 jersey.

The bench remains a 6-2 split for the second consecutive week, with David Porecki, Scott Sio and Taniela Tupou the front row reinforcements.

Waratahs captain Jake Gordon is the only change to the matchday 23, named as the finishing scrumhalf in his hometown.

The Wallabies now sit at the top of the log in the Rugby Championship, so all the pressure now sits with the Springboks to get their campaign back on track — a place they likely didn’t think they’d be following their initial win over the All Blacks in the opening round. However, as is the case with the current Southern Hemisphere battle, there’s no room to slip up.

The consistency in selection is a good omen for a Wallaby side that’s had many disruptions and curveballs in recent months, but the fresh and reinvigorated Springbok side, full of players needing to stake their claim, should be enough to upset the Australians in Sydney.

Teams:

Australia – 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (c). Subs: 16 David Porecki, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Jake Gordon, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Duane Vermeulen, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Warrick Gelant.

Time:

The game kicks off on Saturday, 3 September, at 11:35 SA (SAST) time.