Rassie Unleashes The Future! Four Uncapped Prospects Named In Bold Springbok Lineup To Face Wales

Jaco Williams (wing), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Ruben van Heerden (lock) and Carlu Sadie (prop) will all make their Test debuts in the Springboks’ third Nations Championship fixture against Wales in Durban on Saturday after being named in the starting XV by head coach Rassie Erasmus.

Erasmus has struck a balance between fielding a strong side and staying true to his promise of giving every player in his expanded squad an opportunity to prove themselves at Test level. The matchday squad also includes Andre-Hugo Venter (hooker) and Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) among the replacements.

Moyo and Williams will have the special honour of making their Test debuts at their home ground for the Hollywoodbets Sharks. They are joined by Van Heerden, who recently left the DHL Stormers for Montpellier in France, and Sadie, who plays for Investec Champions Cup winners Bordeaux Bègles.

Venter could earn his second Test cap if he comes off the bench, having made his debut against Portugal in 2024, while Jantjies returns to the Springbok squad for the first time since facing Argentina in 2023.

Eben Etzebeth (lock), Franco Mostert (utility forward), Andre Esterhuizen (centre/flanker), Canan Moodie (utility back), Handre Pollard (flyhalf) and Ox Nche (prop) were all unavailable for selection as they continue their recoveries from injury.

Moyo will direct play at flyhalf alongside experienced scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, while Williams forms an exciting back three with fellow wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and fullback Aphelele Fassi. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will once again combine in midfield.

Up front, Sadie packs down alongside Gerhard Steenekamp and Malcolm Marx in the front row, with Van Heerden partnering Cobus Wiese in the second row. The loose forward trio features Paul de Villiers, captain Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.

Erasmus has opted for a five-three split on the replacements bench, with Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw providing front-row cover, while Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden offer lock and loose-forward options respectively.

The backline replacements are Jantjies, Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse.

“We told the players from the start of the season that if everything played out well, we would give everyone in the squad a chance to play in the competition, and we are excited to see what the uncapped players, as well as those who have not been in the mix for a while, bring to the team,” said Erasmus.

“This squad shows an exciting mix of youth and experience, and while we are under no illusions about the threat Wales pose, we are looking forward to seeing what these players can do.

“Wales put up a good fight in their Six Nations matches against Scotland and Ireland, and they defeated Italy in their final match of the tournament. They also beat Fiji in the Nations Championship before going down to Argentina in a competitive match last week, so they are on the rise and will come out with a point to prove this weekend.”

Erasmus was delighted to hand four players their first Test caps.

“They all played very well for their franchises this season and have been working extremely hard at training while waiting patiently for an opportunity, so we are delighted for them.

“Building squad depth has always been one of our pillars since 2018, and to have such an exciting group of players coming through is fantastic as we continue to build for the future.

“We have full faith in their abilities, and I’m sure the senior players around them will help keep them calm on the field so they can show the talent that earned them a place in the squad. Hopefully, we can make it a memorable occasion for them and our loyal supporters this weekend.”

The match kicks off at 17:40 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team to face Wales in Durban:

15 Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba) – 16 caps, 35 pts (7t)

14 Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped

13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 89 caps, 110 pts (22t)

12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 98 caps, 55 pts (11t)

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars) – 31 caps, 120 pts (24t)

10 Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped

9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 51 caps, 95 pts (19t)

8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 45 caps, 15 pts (3t)

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain, Toyota Verblitz) – 97 caps, 70 pts (14t)

6 Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers) – 2 cap, 0 pts

5 Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier) – uncapped

4 Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 0 pts

3 Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles) – uncapped

2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 88 caps, 135 pts (27t)

1 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps, 10 pts (2t)

Replacements
16. Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 5 points (1 try)
17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 11 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
18. Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers) – 30 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
19. Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
20. Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 34 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
21. Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne) – 24 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
22. Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 29 caps, 145 points (2 tries, 48 conversions, 13 penalties)
23. Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 51 caps, 76 points (8 tries, 9 conversions, 4 penalties, 2 drop goals)