Get ready, Boks fans—Rassie Erasmus has rolled out a brand-new Springboks XV for their second Castle Lager Rugby Championship encounter, set for Saturday, 23 August 2025, at DHL Stadium in Cape Town!
In a bold move following last weekend’s 38‑22 setback in Johannesburg, the Bok coach has made 10 changes to his starting XV—and the result is a revitalized mix of experience, firepower, and depth. Jesse Kriel returns as captain, with Ox Nche stepping up as vice-captain for the first time in his Test career.
15 Willie le Roux (100 caps)
14 Canan Moodie
13 Jesse Kriel (c)
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 (vice-captain)
Bench (for strategic firepower):
Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, and Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu.
Erasmus explained that the revamp was both reactionary—due to injuries to Kolisi, Pieter‑Steph du Toit, Kurt‑Lee Arendse, and Edwill van der Merwe—and purposeful, with seasoned backs like Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe returning to shore up the backline.
With a legacy of success in Cape Town—7 wins in 8 Tests against Australia since 1992—the Boks are going all in to correct the course and regain dominance.
