If the Rugby Championship was a game of poker, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus went all-in in the first round.
Opening their campaign against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, the Springbok coach sent some of his senior players off to New Zealand where they’ll prepare for next week’s Test against the All Blacks.
With just four matches before South Africa head off to the World Cup in Japan, Erasmus is banking on his second-stringers to give them the kickstart they need in 2019.
And the coach admits: “It is a massive game [against Australia]. There is no doubt that it’s a bit of a gamble that we’re taking.
Your Springbok team to face Australia in Johannesburg tomorrow. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/aZHLKIV6j8
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 19, 2019
“We obviously have one eye on the World Cup, but you can’t have an eye on the World Cup without building momentum. Whoever wins this game will get some momentum.”
The Springboks will take the field with two debutants in flanker Rynhardt Elstadt and scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies.
Bulls prop Lizo Gqoboka is also in line for a debut after being selected on the bench, while the team features a number of players that have not represented the national team in the last year or so.