Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus maintains he has full respect for the Wallabies despite making 10 starting changes for Saturday’s Rugby Championship rematch in Perth.
South Africa, the two-time defending world champions, obliterated Australia 33-7 in the tournament opener in Brisbane to end Joe Schmidt’s honeymoon period as coach.
The Wallabies are now back in the big leagues after going 3-0 against Wales and Georgia but Erasmus may have given them some hope at Optus Stadium.
Watch the 2024 Rugby Championship with every match streaming ad free, live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport
Rassie Erasmus speaks during a press conference at Suncorp Stadium. Getty
Erasmus opted to rest captain Siya Kolisi along with Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Bongi Mbonambi, Willie le Roux, Frans Malherbe, Cobus Reinach and Gerhard Steenekamp.
Halfback Morne van den Berg and lock Ruan Nortje will make their first Test starts for a side captained by Salmaan Moerat.
The ‘bomb squad’ bench, however, is dripping with menace and experience through the likes of Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith and Handre Pollard.
READ MORE: Tears all around as Aussie champions finally arrive home
READ MORE: Holmes move confirmed despite last-minute twist
READ MORE: Ex-NRL stars call for change over Latrell photo
“There are still 14 Rugby World Cup winners in there and only two guys that are earning first starts,” Erasmus told reporters.
“This is not disrespect to Australia and this is not us feeling nonchalant about the game, this is us picking a team that we feel is good enough to still get us the win against a tough Wallabies team that wants to bounce back.
“I think if this week’s team played against the Springboks team that beat the Wallabies last week, they would give them a hell of a go.
NEW PODCAST! Michael Hooper joins the crew as they review the Olympics sevens campaigns and search for Wallabies answers against the swaggering Springboks
“It is going to be interesting to see who steps up in the Test arena, in Perth where there are a lot of South African supporters and Australian supporters too.
“But we trust every one of the players selected and, hopefully, we can get the result.”
South Africa’s squad depth is unrivalled and bookmakers still have them as overwhelming favourites against world No.9 Australia.
“It is a bit of a slap in the face for the guys playing this weekend if we think that they are not as good as the guys that played last weekend. We trust them fully,” Erasmus said.
“We have full faith in the younger generation of players coming through, and we feel this is the right time to test them against an Australian outfit that will be desperate to bounce back strongly from last weekend.”
Schmidt will name his team on Thursday but will be without injured trio Filipo Daugunu, Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams.
“They will be desperate to come back strongly from last week’s defeat and I have no doubt that Joe Schmidt will select a team that is fired up and who will give everything to turn things around and get their campaign back on track,” Erasmus said.
“They are a proud nation and they’ll be highly motivated to continue their impressive home win record against us in Australia, so we’re fully aware of the challenge.
“This is a massive match for us.”
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)