SPRINGBOKS READY TO DOMINATE WALES: ETZEBETH STEPS UP 🇿🇦

Eben Etzebeth, one of the most experienced players in world rugby, has stepped into the starting lineup after Jean Kleyn had to pull out due to a minor injury.

Etzebeth, with an incredible 130 caps, will lock down the second row alongside Franco Mostert, forming a pairing that’s as tough as they come.

Even with this last-minute change, the Springboks’ squad looks more like a collection of rugby superstars than just a team. To replace Kleyn, flanker Marco van Staden—another Rugby World Cup winner—moves to the bench. That’s right, they’re so loaded with talent that their “backups” are world champions!

THIS TEAM REAKS of GREATNESS
Coach Rassie Erasmus is confident his team is more than ready for this clash.

“We feel for Jean—it would’ve been his first Test since the World Cup final. But Marco has been training hard with us all season, and we trust he’ll make a strong impact off the bench,” Erasmus said.

And just look at this lineup! Captain Siya Kolisi leads the charge with his signature grit and determination, while Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse bring their lightning speed and try-scoring magic to the backline.

The forwards are no less intimidating, with Jasper Wiese’s hard-running power at No. 8 and Malcolm Marx ready to come off the bench and wreak havoc. Even the substitutes’ bench is stacked with players who could walk into almost any starting lineup in the world.

HERE’S THE SPRINGBOK TEAM
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 10 caps, 30 points (6t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 39 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 78 caps, 90 points (18t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 86 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 23 caps, 85 points (17t)
10 – Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 7 points (2c, 1p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 19 points (2t, 3c, 1p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 33 caps, 10 points (2t)
7 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 points
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 91 caps, 60 points (12t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 77 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 130 caps, 30 points (6t)
3 – Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 0 points
2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points
1 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 22 caps, 5 points (1t)

REPLACEMENTS
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 75 caps, 105 points (21t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 60 caps, 0 points
19 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 10 points (2t)
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 39 caps, 10 points (2t)
21 – Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – uncapped
22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 38 caps, 70 points (14t)
23 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 79 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg)

WILL WALES STAND A CHANCE?
Let’s be honest—Wales has their work cut out for them. This Springbok squad is stacked with legends, and the Welsh will need something truly special to stop them. But that’s why we watch, right? Anything can happen in rugby.

Catch the action live on Saturday at 19:40 (SA time) on SuperSport. Don’t miss it—it’s going to be epic!

Author: Jay J Botes for NetSport