Prior to the opening match between the Springboks and All Blacks last week, Rassie Erasmus opted to wait until Thursday before revealing his matchday 23.
Diverting from his usual tendency to name the team early in the week, Erasmus said the delay was out of respect for New Zealand, while it also enabled Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche to have a bit more time to recover from injury.
In the end, the Springboks were well beaten by the All Blacks at Ellis Park, but interestingly it seems that Erasmus doesn’t feel he needs more time to mull over what team selection can help set things right in the second Test this Saturday.
It has been confirmed that the Springbok matchday 23 will be revealed at 11:30 on Monday morning.
Kolisi expected to return for Springboks
With the team announcement taking place to early on Monday, it’s likely that the Springbok coaches have opted to stick with their planning for this match in Cape Town.
There aren’t expected to be too many team changes, but both Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe may have to be replaced due to injury concerns. This could lead to a return for Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker, while Edwill van der Merwe offers another option.
Kolisi is poised to return to the No 6 jersey, meaning Paul de Villiers will most likely shift to the bench, where Cameron Hanekom should also be recalled.
After a poor performance from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, it will also be interesting to see what call is made at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard quite possibly set to come into the mix.
Plenty to ponder
In Johannesburg, the Springboks conceded five tries to one in a performance that Erasmus said needed to have “a lot of things put right.”
“We have been in many catastrophic situations in our lives,” said Erasmus.
“We lost the first Test against the British & Irish Lions [in 2021] and everyone said it was a catastrophe.
“We lost the first pool game against New Zealand in the World Cup [in 2019] and everyone said that was catastrophic, so we have been in a lot of catastrophic situations.
“We’re now in a position where if we want to win the series we have to win three games on the trot. So, without doubt, it puts them in a very good position which they thoroughly deserve.
“Now we have to go to Cape Town and try and win there. If we do, it’s all level, but we still have to win three matches in a row. I wouldn’t say it’s catastrophic because there is a way out, and that’s winning three matches on the trot.”
Kick off is at 17:10.