The team sees a major reshuffle with 13 new starters including the return of scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, whom Erasmus noted hasn't played much recently.
"A guy like Herschel has played probably 40 minutes, so it’s not every player who’s got 140 minutes."Despite these changes, Erasmus believes the balance between maintaining team cohesion and injecting new energy is crucial.
Erasmus reflected on a disjointed performance against Argentina last month as a benchmark for what might be expected initially in the game. He remarked,
"I don’t think they’re going to fire from the start. But I can tell you that they’re really hungry. They really want to play and they’ve been idling for a hell of a long time."He remains hopeful that the team will settle quickly and match up to the Australian side.
The average age of the starting XV is 28, with a slightly older bench at 29, demonstrating a blend of experience and youth in the team. Erasmus highlighted the agility and the strategic necessity to counter Australia's defensive strategies.
Erasmus praised certain players like Aphelele Fassi for his proven track record and Edwill van der Merwe for earning his position. The Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie midfield pairing is also seen as a key strength in the upcoming match. The coach also noted that replacement Quan Horn is due for a solid opportunity to prove his worth.
Ultimately, Erasmus describes the team as well-balanced and slightly younger than previous lineups, with essentially strong back-up on the bench ready to stabilize the game if needed. This strategic mix of players is set to bring vitality and stability to the South African side as they face Australia at Optus Stadium.
Rassie concluded with a note of confidence in his team’s preparation and strategy, emphasizing that a well-thought-out approach will be pivotal in facing the challenges in the upcoming test.
