Springboks' Erasmus hints at late Bomb Squad tweak for Wallabies clash

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus dropped something of a surprise when he announced a conventional 5-3 bench split for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against Australia at Ellis Park — but the famed “Bomb Squad” may yet feature in force.

Erasmus suggested he could adjust the bench once he sees Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s team sheet.

“On Thursday, we might add RG Snyman to our bench,” Erasmus said.

“We will see if the Aussies come with a 6-2 split. That would mean we need to beef up our bench, and RG would replace one of the backs.”

At present, the Boks’ bench comprises five forwards plus Damian Willemse, Cobus Reinach and Canan Moodie, with Moodie the likely casualty if Snyman comes in. Willemse covers fly-half and centre, while Reinach is the reserve scrum-half for starter Grant Williams.

Erasmus also raised eyebrows by naming Manie Libbok at flyhalf, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Handré Pollard set to feature next week in Cape Town for the second Test against the Wallabies.

Inevitably, questions arose over Libbok’s inconsistent goal-kicking, with Willemse — also erratic from the tee — as his only cover.

“No, we are okay with Manie,” Erasmus said.

“We trust his ability, and the new Rhino ball seems to suit him. Also, we hope the game doesn’t come down to us having to win via kicks.”

The selection points towards an attacking mindset, with Libbok and Williams forming an enterprising half-back pairing and a back three of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe and Aphelele Fassi brimming with pace. Andre Esterhuizen starts at inside centre in place of the injured Damian de Allende, who is expected to return alongside Cheslin Kolbe next week.

In the pack, captain Siya Kolisi has been shifted to No 8 following Jasper Wiese’s suspension for a headbutt against Italy last month.

“We have changed our thinking,” Erasmus explained.

“The only time a player really plays at 8 is at set scrums — you only get 13 or 14 per game. In general play, having Pieter-Steph (du Toit), Marco (van Staden) and Siya on the field together helps us at the breakdown, which is an area where Australia are excellent.”

South Africa matchday 23 v Australia

Springboks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit , 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche; Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse