The Springboks are 1 from 2 in the Rugby Championship after a win at Mbombela over the All Blacks followed by a loss at Ellis Park. It is probably the most even contest the tournament has seen in recent years with every team having won and lost a fixture at this point.
The squad was relatively large for the home leg, with some 43 players included in the side and immense depth in some positions such as scrumhalf, where up to 5 players were included in the squad. The team now travels to Australia for two tests, a country they battled in in 2021. The Springboks have understandably trimmed down their squad to 34 for the journey.
As expected, the Bok management have largely stuck with the tried and tested players as they generally do. Uncapped Canan Moodie has however made the cut to travel with the Boks after depth struggles with Kolbe, Arendse and Kriel. Bongi Mbonambi is unavailable through injury and Deon Fourie will also provide cover at hooker for the tour. A big omission which will have tongues wagging is that of Evan Roos,
Props: Steven Kitshoff Vincent Koch Frans Malherbe Ox Nche Trevor Nyakane
Hookers: Joseph Dweba Malcolm Marx
Locks: Lood de Jager Eben Etzebeth Salmaan Moerat
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit Siya Kolisi Elrigh Louw Kwagga Smith Jasper Wiese Duane Vermeulen
Utility forwards: Deon Fourie Franco Mostert
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk Jaden Hendrikse Herschel Jantjies Cobus Reinach
Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies Handre Pollard
Centres: Lukhanyo Am Damian de Allende Andre Esterhuizen
Outside Backs: Canan Moodie Warrick Gelant Willie le Roux Makazole Mapimpi
Utility backs: Jesse Kriel Frans Steyn Damian Willemse