EXPERIENCED lock Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springboks in their Rugby Championship battle against the Australia.
The injury-enforced absence of regular skipper Siya Kolisi has opened the door for Etzebeth to lead South Africa at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
The Stormers second rower is no new to leadership position and he knows what is expected of him against the nemesis.
”The squad have trained together for more than three weeks and this match is important for us to start a very important rugby year, ” said Boks coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Springbok pack for Saturday’s match on the Highveld is hugely experienced, sharing 394 caps, and is expected to the lead the charge against the wily Wallaby forward unit.
Etzebeth has 75 caps to his name, his lock partner Lood de Jager is set to make his 39th appearance while Tendai Mtawarira has already played in 107 Tests.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Francois Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds
Australia
TBA
