Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus handed brothers Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse both starting roles to partner at halfback for the first time in test rugby when they face Wales in the final tour match in Cardiff on Saturday.
And Erasmus dispelled any thoughts the Boks would be taking the fixture lightly, or use it as training practice, as they selected an incredibly strong side, which included eight players who started in the win over England in the starting XV, with another three on the bench.
While Hendrikse's partnership will be the main headline - as the talented brothers get the opportunity of a lifetime to start a test together as halfbacks, Erasmus has also given the rest of the touring squad who haven’t played this month a run.
A special weekend awaits in Cardiff for the 𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗦𝗘 family 🤝
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 19, 2024
Jaden and Jordan will combine in the halfback pairing this weekend 👏#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/evJBPEuuXa
That means Cameron Hanekom, the Bulls forward who was courted by Wales because of his Welsh grandmother, will forever close that door after being named on the bench for the Boks.
It also means that Jean Kleyn and Johan Grobbelaar will both get starts as the only other players who haven’t played on this tour.
Both joined the team after injuries to other players, with Kleyn last playing for the Boks during last year’s World Cup.
52 players over 13 Test matches in 2024 🤯
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 19, 2024
Rassie really is taking squad depth to a whole new level 📈
Jean Kleyn will start, Cameron Hanekom is on the bench.#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/ZBcl7lV5NB
BACKLINE RETAINED
Erasmus has insulated the Hendrikse brothers with the rest of the backline that beat England, including two-try hero Cheslin Kolbe, experienced midfielders Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, Aphelele Fassi at fullback and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the other wing.
That experience on the outside, as well as Jasper Wiese and Siya Kolisi in the loose trio, should give the two Hendrikse brothers enough calm heads around them to temper the excitement and play the game they want to play for the Boks.
Erasmus also has the insurance of Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach on the bench for the brothers as well.
Elrigh Louw also gets a start at seven, as Pieter-Steph du Toit is rested, while Franco Mostert and Kleyn are the lock pairing in place of RG Snyman and Eben Etzebeth, both of whom are on the bench.
Thomas du Toit gets another start after playing against Scotland earlier in the tour, alongside Grobbelaar and a recovered Ox Nche, who will start the game despite coming off against England and getting stitches to a nasty cut above his knee.
Wales are in terrible shape, having conceded 50 points to Australia and are on an 11-game losing streak this year under Warren Gatland.
And while there will be brave performances, Erasmus has made it clear that he wants to finish the tour on a high, while giving a few candidates a chance to impress.
OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRESS
For Hanekom, Jordan Hendrikse and Grobbelaar, the opportunity to impress will be a massive one, especially as they are being rewarded for their excellent form in the URC and other competitions.
Hanekom probably would have had his first cap before now, had he not been injured in the URC final earlier this year, while Hendrikse did make his debut against Wales at Twickenham in the off-season friendly back in July.
Grobbelaar made his debut against Portugal and also started against Australia in Perth and is officially the third choice hooker behind World Cup-winners Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx.
Kleyn missed the start of the international season with an eye injury and only recently returned to action for Munster, then was called up when Ruan Nortje was injured before the test against Scotland.
The Boks have also opted for a six-two split - the original bomb squad, with Vincent Koch, Marx and Gerhard Steenekamp the back-up front row, the two locks and Hanekom completing the forward contingent and Reinach and Pollard the backs on the bench.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Rassie Erasmus names his final Springbok team of the year, to take on Wales in the #AutumnNationsSeries on Saturday 🇿🇦🚨 pic.twitter.com/iXJOsiVjhD
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 19, 2024
Springbok team to face Wales: Aphelele Fassi; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Elrigh Louw, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.