Rassie Erasmus throws out team news swerve ahead of All Blacks series
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Swerve.
Rassie Erasmus has thrown out a team news swerve ahead of the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, with the Springboks delaying the announcement of their side to face the All Blacks.
South Africa have confirmed that Erasmus will name his matchday squad at a press conference on Thursday, August 20 at 2pm local time – just two days before the two great rivals collide at Ellis Park.
It represents a change from Erasmus’ usual approach, with the Springboks boss generally preferring to get his team announcement out of the way earlier in the week.
There are plenty of intriguing selection calls for the double World Cup-winning coach to make after the Springboks turned their attention fully towards New Zealand.
South Africa assembled a huge 43-man group ahead of their recent clash with Argentina and the Greatest Rivalry series, welcoming a host of experienced players back into the fold.
The returning group included captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Handré Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, giving Erasmus considerable options as he prepares to name his first side of the series.
Competition at fly-half will be particularly interesting, with Pollard, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok among the experienced options available to the Springboks.
The later announcement isn’t completely unprecedented for Erasmus. He has occasionally waited until Thursday to reveal his hand in the past, including before last year’s clash with France, despite Tuesday traditionally being his preferred slot.
All will finally be revealed on Thursday afternoon, with South Africa and New Zealand then meeting at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 22 in the opening Test of their historic four-match series.
