Exciting Junior Springbok Vusi Moyo is set to make his Springbok debut this weekend when South Africa host Wales in a Nations Championship clash in Durban.
Moyo is one of four uncapped players who will receive their first Test caps on Saturday at Kings Park (kick-off 5.40pm), and will be joined by debutants Jaco Williams on the wing, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Carlu Sadie in the starting XV.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to his run-on team, with only Aphelele Fassi, Jesse Kriel, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers and Cobus Wiese remaining in the starting team from the one which defeated Scotland 42-28 this past weekend. On the bench, only Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Ben-Jason Dixon retain their places in a 5-3 split.
“They all played very well for their franchises this season,” Erasmus said of the debutants in his team, via a SA Rugby statement on Monday.
“They have been working extremely hard at training, while waiting patiently for a chance to play, so we are delighted for them. Building squad depth has always been one of our pillars since 2018, and to have such an exciting group of players coming through is fantastic as we continue to build our squad for the future.
“We have full faith in their abilities,” the Bok mentor added.
“I’m sure the senior guys around them will assist in keeping them calm on the field, so they can show the talent that earned them a place in the squad. Hopefully, we can make it a memorable occasion for them and our loyal supporters this weekend.“
Meanwhile, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Andre Esterhuizen, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard and Ox Nche were unavailable for selection as they continue to recover from injuries.
South Africa matchday 23 v Wales at Kings Park, Durban
Springboks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp; Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Damian Willemse
* UPDATE TO FOLLOW
