The Springbok team for Saturday’s first Test in the July series against Wales has been announced and only one Bulls player was able to reach the 23-man squad.

Loose forward Elrigh Louw is in line to make his Springbok debut from the replacements bench against Wales in Saturday’s opening Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Louw has been a stand-out performer for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship this season.

Damian Willemse will start at fullback and Elton Jantjies at flyhalf in a backline featuring several familiar faces, in wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, centres Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk.

In the front row, Frans Malherbe and Ox Nché will pack down on either side of Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager will join forces at lock, and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will form a loose trio with Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese.

Am will serve as vice-captain for the match.

With a physical onslaught expected from Wales, Nienaber opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench, with Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) and veteran fullback Willie le Roux providing cover among the backs, while the forwards comprise the impactful front row of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, Louw and versatile loose forward Kwagga Smith.

“We have a talented group of players, and we believe the matchday squad we selected ticks the boxes in terms of what we would like to achieve in the opening Test against Wales,” said Springbok coach, Jacques Nienaber.

Nienaber was delighted to offer Louw and Salmaan Moerat – who are both former Junior Springbok players and have made a consistent impact for their respective franchises over the last few seasons – an opportunity to start on the replacements bench.

“We have a fantastic crop of young players who have really been working hard at training and putting up their hands, and it is pleasing for us as coaches to give Salmaan and Elrigh this opportunity.  Salmaan was with us on our tour to the UK last season, and despite being so young he brings a different sense of experience as a former Junior Springbok and SA Schools captain, while Elrigh also featured in a World Rugby U20 Championship and has been playing senior provincial rugby for a while,” Nienaber remarked.

The coach said they have a plan for the season in terms of giving some of the young players a chance to show what they can do at international level, while at the same time taking stock of the seasoned campaigners and where they are in terms of their rugby.

“Unfortunately, with such a big squad there will always be a few unlucky players, but it is a fine balancing act to ensure we win Tests, build squad depth, and transform as a team in the way we play,” Nienaber explained.

Springbok team to face Wales in Pretoria:

15 – Damian Willemse (Stormers) – 15 caps

14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 18 caps

13 – Lukhanyo Am (Sharks) – 26 caps

12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 58 caps

11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks) – 25 caps

10 – Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 44 caps

9 – Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – 36 caps

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 11 caps

7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 51 caps

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks) – 63 caps

5 – Lood de Jager (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 56 caps

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Sharks) – 97 caps

3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers) – 46 caps

2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks) – 48 caps

1 – Ox Nché (Sharks) – 9 caps

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 46 caps

17 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers) – 59 caps

18 – Vincent Koch (Wasps) – 31 caps

19 – Salmaan Moerat (Stormers) – uncapped

20 – Elrigh Louw (Bulls) – uncapped

21 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 19 caps

22 – Herschel Jantjies (Stormers) – 21 caps

23 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 72 caps

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