The world champions began slowly after which did not convert stress into factors towards the Wallabies in Adelaide final weekend, crashing 25-17 for his or her second straight match defeat.
South Africa’s Francois Steyn is tackled by Australia’s Taniela Tupou (R) throughout the Rugby Championship match between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide Oval on 27 August 2022, in Adelaide. Picture: Brenton EDWARDS/AFP
SYDNEY – South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber is treating Saturday’s rematch with Australia in Sydney as “a final” for his injury-ravaged facet as they try to remain in Rugby Championship rivalry.
The world champions began slowly after which did not convert stress into factors towards the Wallabies in Adelaide final weekend, crashing 25-17 for his or her second straight match defeat.
It left them propping up the desk on the halfway level with only one win from three video games. Argentina surprisingly prepared the ground, with Australia a detailed second and the All Blacks third.
“This week is a final for us to stay in the competition and we are expecting Australia to be just as desperate, but so are we,” mentioned Nienaber.
“We let ourselves down in the last two games and we are determined to rectify that this week and change our fortunes in Australia.”
The Springboks proceed to seek for a primary win on Australian soil since 2013 and Nienaber has made eight adjustments to the beginning line-up for the sold-out conflict at Sydney’s newly constructed Allianz Stadium, amongst them scrum-half Faf de Klerk.
Four are injury-enforced with influential fly-half Handre Pollard and centre Lukhanyo Am among the many casualties.
“It’s always unfortunate to lose players in a squad but this opens the door for other players to step in and showcase what they can do in those positions,” mentioned the coach.
Damian Willemse strikes from fullback to fly-half, with the skilled Jesse Kriel slotting in at centre and gifted younger again Canan Moodie debuting on the appropriate wing in a positional swap with Warrick Gelant, who strikes to the bench.
Veteran Willie le Roux takes Willemse’s place at fullback in his 77th Test, with the opposite backline change at scrumhalf, the place Jaden Hendrikse replaces De Klerk. He was axed from the 23.
Prop Steven Kitshoff and hooker Malcolm Marx begin in a new-look entrance row with Frans Malherbe. Jasper Wiese takes over at No.8 from veteran Duane Vermeulen, who’s among the many replacements.
WARY OF THE WOUNDED
Australia are chasing back-to-back wins for the primary time this season however are cautious of their wounded opponents.
The hosts begin with an unchanged facet for the primary time since Dave Rennie took over as coach from Michael Cheika – now on the helm with Argentina – in late 2019.
James Slipper as soon as once more captains the facet as they give the impression of being to increase their unbeaten streak towards the Springboks to 9 video games.
Slipper will play his 121st Test, equalling Michael Hooper, who’s on psychological well being go away, and former teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The solely two Australian gamers with extra caps are George Gregan (139) and Stephen Moore (129).
“It’s great to be able to have some consistency in selection with the team that played last week earning the right to wear the jersey again in Sydney,” mentioned Rennie.
“While rapt with last week’s effort, we’re well aware of the challenge a wounded Springbok poses and the intensity we will require again on Saturday night.”
The 22-year-old Noah Lolesio was retained as playmaker after his mature efficiency final weekend, with the ever-improving mixture of Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau outdoors him within the centres.
Veteran Reece Hodge stays at fullback, whereas Adelaide man-of-the-match Marika Koroibete and Tom Wright are once more on the wings with Nic White at scrum-half.
Rennie gave hooker Folau Fainga’a one other likelihood regardless of his poor lineout throwing per week in the past, joined within the entrance row by long-time ACT Brumbies teammates Slipper and Allan Ala’alatoa.
Second-rowers Rory Arnold and Matt Philip spherical out the tight 5 with Jed Holloway, Adelaide two-try hero Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini within the again row.
Teams (15-1)
Australia: Reece Hodge; Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Jed Holloway; Matt Philip, Rory Arnold; Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper (capt)
Replacements: David Porecki, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway
South Africa: Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (capt); Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen, Cobus Reinach, Frans Steyn, Warrick Gelant