Late change for Boks' rematch with Australia
TEAM UPDATE: The Springboks announced a late change in their back three on Friday morning for their Rugby Championship rematch against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday.
Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback following the withdrawal of Willie le Roux due to a niggle.
Le Roux, who became the eighth player in South African rugby history to feature in 100 Tests earlier this season, suffered the niggle at training earlier this week and has not recovered in time to play, prompting Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus to draft Fassi straight into the starting line-up.
Fassi started last week’s Test against the Wallabies in Johannesburg, where the Springboks went down 22-38, making this his second appearance in a row against the Wallabies.
South Africa – revised : 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman,3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Green Point
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT; 01:10, AEST, Sunday, August 24)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)