Springboks vow to rectify mistakes as key stars miss Wallabies rematch

The Springboks are aware of their mistakes and determined to rectify them as quick as possible in the second Test against the Wallabies on Saturday in Cape Town.

While they’ve identified key areas like the breakdown, defence and discipline where they must be better, they will have to do it without influential leader Siya Kolisi and fellow loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit.

The backrowers picked up injuries in the first Test at Ellis Park, one the Boks lost 38-22, and their grunt will be missed as the South Africans look to turn around their poor start to the Rugby Championship. Wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe will also miss the Test with injuries.

Kolisi looks set to be out for at least four weeks, while Du Toit misses the match through concussion. Arendse picked up a knee niggle and Van der Merwe injured his ankle. Good news for the world champs is that backs Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe will be in action on Saturday at the DHL Stadium.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed Jesse Kriel will lead the team in the absence of Kolisi.

They’ll have their backs against the wall; however, the world champions have shown in the past that they thrive with the odds stacked against them. With key players missing, it will add more pressure to get off the mark in the tournament.

“We went through our things, and we know exactly what we did wrong,” Erasmus said on Monday as he elected to front the media.

“In a game like that, we could not even say we were unlucky. Four of their tries, there was not even a phase. An intercept pass here, an offload there, and they worked to be in those positions. We went through our facets, and internally we have announced the team. We didn’t want to do it (announce) today (Monday) again, then people would say it’s mind games.

“We said last week (we know) what we are up against, I don’t think the world believed us when we said it’s a really good Wallaby team. We believed it and they showed it.”

With Kolisi being out for at least four weeks, there is the risk that the skipper will miss the Boks’ all-important duel with the All Blacks at Eden Park next month.

He confirmed scans showed that Kolisi has a grade 2 tear.

“Some guys are back in four weeks; others take about six weeks with this type of injury. But we’ve seen how he did (recovered) ahead of the previous World Cup (in 2023). It is not a World Cup year, and I don’t want it to sound arrogant, but sometimes it is meaningless to go chase a dream at Eden Park, but you don’t get things right at Ellis Park and Cape Town, at your home.

“Siya is 34, and to try and bring him back early to chase a game like that, and then he is out for the rest of the year (won’t be good). Kurt-Lee and Edwill are also out for three weeks. Pieter-Steph will be back by then and Jasper Wiese (suspended) will be ready for the second Test (in Wellington). We will follow what the doctor says.”

Erasmus will announce his side on Tuesday, and there will be changes,  but he said it should not be seen as them panicking. He must replace the injured quartet, while the fit-again Kolbe and De Allende will slot in. Canan Moodie, who was a replacement in the first Test, could be in line to get a starting berth.

“Because they gave us a hiding this past weekend, we did not go ahead with four or five changes that we planned. It is difficult to tell a guy that he is not playing after originally announcing it internally.

“However, we do say to them that we are a squad of 35 players and this is the two teams, but if we lose momentum, team two will change. That is why I believe the guys work together so well in the week.

“This was a good hiding, and when it happens, we must just be honest with the guys about getting back that momentum before making changes.”