Excitement builds for crunch Aussie Test
The Springboks will start assembling in Port Elizabeth on Friday ahead of next Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
More players will arrive on Saturday as the Boks prepare for their final two games in the series against Australia and New Zealand in Pretoria on October 6.
Officials said only 4,000 tickets were still available for the PE Test, while the SA versus New Zealand fixture will be played in front of a capacity crowd at Loftus Versfeld.
It is expected that the remaining tickets for the Aussie game will sell out early next week, ensuring a capacity 46,000 crowd.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said the squad would be further bolstered on Saturday when a number of other players have concluded their provincial duty in the Currie Cup.
“We are still keeping an eye on a number of players who we would like to involve in the coming weeks, but we would first like to see them through their provincial matches this weekend,” he said.
It was also confirmed that Damian de Allende (centre), Lukhanyo Am (centre) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing) will not feature in the two home Tests after being ruled out due to injury.
In addition, Willie le Roux (fullback) and François Louw (loose forward) have returned to their English clubs.
The pair played in the Springboks’ four tournament matches to date, but will not feature in the two home Tests.
“The players had a brief break after returning from New Zealand.
“I’m sure they will return fresh and energised for the last two matches,” Erasmus said.
“While we lost a couple of players to injury, we are looking forward to possibly welcoming back others who have been playing for their provinces and recovered from injury.
“The two home matches will give us more time to work together as a group, to build on continuity and increase our depth.”
The Boks scored five tries during their win over New Zealand, but it was their defensive effort of 235 tackles that really stood out.
“I don’t know how we scored all those tries.
“New Zealand have one of the best defensive systems in the world and we had no ball, [yet] scored all those tries,” Erasmus said.
“That’s a positive for the attack, but the defence was just awesome.
“I think the guys are starting to get used to Jacque Nienaber’s defensive system.
Tickets for the PE Test are available through Computicket and Money Market outlets. Preliminary Bok squad Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (captain), Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, RG Snyman, Warren Whiteley. Backs: Faf de Klerk, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Handré Pollard.