World Cup-winning No.8 Duane Vermeulen and star halfback Faf de Klerk will return from injury to face Australia in The Rugby Championship on Sunday but superstar winger Cheslin Kolbe misses out.
Kolbe South Africa’s biggest attacking weapon, suffered a leg injury in training last Friday and has failed to recover in time.
Vermeulen, 35, is one of the world’s best loose forwards, playing a leading role in helping South Africa win the 2019 World Cup, but an ankle injury kept him from competing against the Lions in July and August.
De Klerk damaged his hip in the second Test against the Lions.
“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,” said coach Jacques Nienaber.
“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 are Rugby World Cup winners, and so is Eben, who is back after we rotated him to manage his workload, while Marco has made a strong impact on the field this season as well, so we are pleased to have them back in the fold.
“Australia pose a strong threat with their running rugby and they like to keep the ball in play. They will also be playing in front of a charged-up home crowd, so it will be good to have these experienced players back as they know what it takes to perform in big matches.
“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.”
He said Kolbe was the only squad member not available for selection.
On Tuesday, South Africa’s assistant coach said the tourists hope to exploit the Wallabies’ “ball in hand” approach in Sunday’s match.
The sides’ Gold Coast meeting will be their first since the Springboks won the 2019 World Cup, the visitors using their quarantine period to recover after series wins against Argentina and the British and Irish Lions.
The Wallabies are licking wounds after three comprehensive losses to the All Blacks, when their daring offence so often resulted in points against from turnovers.
Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids has been watching and isn’t surprised by Dave Rennie’s offensive ambitions, even if they haven’t quite come off yet.
“That is part of his approach; to have this attacking philosophy and he likes his teams to play with ball in hand,” he said.
“Their attack’s really improved but they would look back in terms of execution and decision making, it wasn’t … as good as they would have wanted.
“They will look at it and try to correct it.
“(It will be) high intensity, (we’ll need to) defend multiple phases against a team that likes to keep ball in hand.
“But be patient and, in terms of execution, if you get an opportunity, use it.”
Springbok team to face Australia in Gold Coast
15-1: Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Yep, I saw them. Great performance against the eventual winners SA. Ditto in the 3rd-4th playoff against Wales. Mo'unga-haters gonne hate I guess...
Jonty Shonty
Roar Pro
Agree Pim. He was awesome at school boy and U20s because he could thrive with ball in hand in all the space afforded to him at that level of play. I think his best position could be 12 where he’ll get given clear instructions of how to play, instead of a decision making role ie 10 or 15.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Just when I think you’re capable of conceding when you are wrong you go and get all upset… ‘courtesy and respect’ :laughing: sheesh you are sensitive…
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I think that is the problem. The ‘high performance’ unit of RA should be talking to then, encouraging them, making no promises but empowering them with specialist coaching. Natural talent will only take them so far.
biltng
Guest
It seems to me you miss all the parts in between those set pieces and kicks. Perhaps you should not watch the match live, rather the highlights, they only show the tries. The great thing is you will have more time to then watch rugby league :silly: Or even reruns of the TT.
Ex force fan
Guest
The ...only if they start well... part is important
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Biltong Yes it would hehehe :thumbup: Wouldn't we all love to see it too ..... rather than box kick, scrum, long kick, lineout, maul, box kick, scrum, lineout, long kick, scrum, box kick, box kick, long kick..... in a re-run of the 1980's. But little chance ho hum :crying:
biltong
Guest
You won't see an " entertaining" freeflowing match between a Warren Gatland team and Springboks. Ever.
biltong
Guest
Waxhead, if you are lucky you might see the Boks run a couple of times from those Ozzie errors. Won't that be something?
biltong
Guest
Yep waxhead, they will also score a couple of tries, win a couple of line outs, win a few scrums, win a few breakdowns, run a couple of meters, catch a few balls and tackle a few blokes. Just your normal activities of playing rugby. :silly:
biltong
Guest
This guy. Just when I think you are capable of decent debate you dig another hole. Courtesy and respect doesn't come naturally to you, does it?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
True but for all their success, few have been able to step up. Hopefully next year will see some others come through.
Pim
Roar Rookie
Agree about Willemse Jonty. Watched him at school boy and under 20 level....pretty good and big guy in the age groups but not very successful at senior level. In fact a bit of a show pony(and overpaid ) for Western Province and the Boks.
WEST
Roar Guru
Did you see his first few tests for the ABs? Go back and look again. 2019 the B Barrett at 15 Richie at 10. bit of a disaster. Wasn’t a great start to his AB career
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Bobby the Aussie 2018/19 U20’s would be a good place to start. Look up their successes.
Pim Lentz
Guest
Agree 100% about Willemse. Watched him as a school boy playing for Paul Roos and the SA schools....very good then. But has certainly not lived up to that in senior rugby....in fact he is just a show pony to me.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It's time. The Brumbies provide him with time he simply doesn't get at test level
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Agree RT. Would still like other young options being explored.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I'm not happy to see Kolbe out Harry ... I love watching him, he's a real excitement machine .. He got you excited in Wellington in 2018 :laughing: Hope he gets over his injuries and recovers sooner rather than later so we will see him in a week or two.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
At least he has a taste of test football ... he will know what he has to do to improve but this sort of development has to be ongoing, Aussie needs experienced depth.