Rassie Erasmus has announced his Springboks team to face Wales in their Autumn Nations Series fixture, with brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse starting together.
The pair will become the 36th set of brothers to play for South Africa having been paired at half-back for the side’s final game of 2024 at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Bulls number eight Cameron Hanekom is poised to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season after being named on the bench by head coach Erasmus.
Seven personnel changes
The matchday 23 picked by Erasmus sees seven personnel changes to the team that saw off England 29-20 at Allianz Stadium last Saturday as the side is freshened up.
Jaden (scrum-half) and Jordan (fly-half) Hendrikse are the first brothers to play together for the Springboks since Dan and Robert du Preez against Wales back in 2018.
The pair’s inclusion are the only changes in South Africa’s backline while there are five tweaks in the starting pack for the meeting against a Wales side on a losing run.
Johan Grobbelaar starts at hooker in place of Bongi Mbonambi while Thomas du Toit returns at tighthead prop, with Ox Nche retaining the loosehead prop jersey.
The line-up also features a new lock combination of the fit-again Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert while the only change in the loose trio sees Elrigh Louw on the flank.
“This is our last match of the season, and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note,” said Erasmus.
“We selected a squad that shows a good mix of experience and youth, which is crucial as we look to maintain some consistency in selection, while at the same time giving guys like Jordan and Cameron, who have been exceptional at training on tour, a chance to show us what they can do.
“Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are very excited to see how he dictates play with Jaden alongside him, and we are also delighted that Cameron is getting a chance to play after showing his class at training throughout the tour and for the Vodacom Bulls in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
“Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play number six, number seven and number eight, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”
Erasmus opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench, with the same replacement front-row of Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp and Vincent Koch, while Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman, who started in the engine room on Saturday, are rotated to the bench.
The two backline players among the replacements are the double Rugby World Cup-winning duo of Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard.
Springboks team to face Wales
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard
Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 17:40 GMT
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
