Last week, Handre Pollard was initially slated as the starting fly-half but was replaced due to injury just before the game. His replacement caused a ripple effect, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moving back into the starting XV and Manie Libbok joining the bench. Additionally, Kurt-Lee Arendse was brought in on the right wing after Cheslin Kolbe, recovering quicker than expected from an earlier injury, was deemed fit to play.
In a surprising turn of events, an hour before kick-off at the last match, it was announced that there would be a swap in the starting front-row players with their bench counterparts. This strategic shift saw Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie, and Thomas du Toit taking the field over Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw.
"I see there is a 65% chance of rain, and we’ve had the most beautiful weather. We haven’t had a rainy day since we’ve been here for 13 weeks," Erasmus noted, emphasizing how such weather impacts game tactics like handling and scrummaging. "Scrummaging is a little bit more difficult too with a lighter pack; a heavier pack is, in my opinion and what Daan [Human, Springboks scrum coach] tells me, a lighter pack struggles a little bit more on a wet field."
This week, Erasmus hinted that similar last-minute changes could again be on the table depending on the weather conditions. The strategy of adapting the roster close to game time, particularly the front-row configuration, has been a significant talking point, highlighting Erasmus's tactical flexibility and responsiveness to immediate conditions.
As for the upcoming match, Erasmus has restored Cheslin Kolbe to full-back in place of the injured Damian Willemse, with Arendse returning to his regular position. This suggests a readiness to adapt not just to injuries but also to the unpredictable Johannesburg weather, maintaining team performance under varying conditions.
The team for the upcoming test in Johannesburg is as follows: 1. Ox Nche 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Wilco Louw 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Ruan Nortje 6. Siya Kolisi 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Cobus Reinach 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 11. Ethan Hooker 12. Damian de Allende 13. Jesse Kriel 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 15. Cheslin Kolbe Substitutes: 16. Deon Fourie 17. Gerhard Steenekamp 18. Thomas du Toit 19. Lood de Jager 20. Andre Esterhuizen 21. Cameron Hanekom 22. Morne van den Berg 23. Manie Libbok
The match is set for a thrilling showdown at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10 local time. Fans can catch the action on various broadcasters globally, ensuring no one misses out on what could be another masterclass in strategic game management from Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks squad.
