The injury-plagued Springboks have called up two-time World Cup winner Makazole Mapimpi ahead of their final Rugby Championship match against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed a massive injury blow, with captain Siya Kolisi, World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Edwill van der Merwe all ruled out for the second test against Australia.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said his team’s unexpected defeat by Australia in a Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park was “really awful” and admitted he was embarrassed to appear at the post-match press conference.
In a stunning upset, the Springboks were outplayed in every aspect of the second half, losing 38-22 to Australia in the opening match of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe admitted that facing the Wallabies on Saturday in the opening round of the Rugby Championship was undoubtedly the biggest challenge in his Test career so far, and he was thrilled to play his first Test match at Ellis Park, his former home ground.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said on Friday their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday would be their toughest Test so far this season, but they were confident the team was at the level they needed to be going into the encounter.
The Springboks have been forced to make a late change as prop Boan Venter will provide front-row cover off the bench in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against Australia.
SA Rugby and Vodacom have expanded their partnership, which dates back to 1995, with a historic new sponsorship deal as the first and exclusive official telecommunications partner to all the national teams and competitions.
The Springboks haven’t lost to the Wallabies on home soil since 2008, but prop Ox Nche and fullback Aphelele Fassi are expecting a tough, physical contest.