Hendrikse brothers paired at halfback for Wales finale

Their selection for the Test will see them becoming the 36th set of Springbok brothers. 

Loose forward Cameron Hanekom is set to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season after being named on the replacements’ bench by Bok coach Rassie Erasmus in a match-23 that shows seven personnel changes to the team that beat England 29-20 in London on Saturday.

Scrumhalf Jaden and flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse are the first set of brothers to appear together since Dan and Robert du Preez featured against Wales in Washington DC at the start of the 2018 season.

The last time a set of brothers were included in the starting team was in the Rugby World Cup pool match against Scotland in 2015 when front rowers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis ran out in tandem in Newcastle.

The Hendrikse’s inclusion is the only change in the backline, while there are five changes in the starting pack: Johan Grobbelaar starts at hooker while Thomas du Toit returns at tighthead prop, with Ox Nche retains the No 1 jumper.

The team also features a new lock combination of the fit-again Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert, while the only change in the loose trio is at flanker, where Elrigh Louw replaces the injured Pieter-Steph du Toit, and will start alongside captain Siya Kolisi and hard-running No 8 Jasper Wiese.

“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. 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 No 6, No 7, and No 8, which 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 hooker Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Vincent Koch (both props), 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 (scrumhalf) and flyhalf Handre Pollard.

Erasmus expected a challenging clash against Wales despite the hosts going into the match on a disappointing run of 11 defeats in a row.

“Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they’ll do everything to finish their campaign on a high note,” said Erasmus.

“We’ve experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they’ll be playing at home with a passionate crowd behind them will inspire them even more – just as our supporters inspire us when we play at home.

“Obviously, we’d love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we’ve had a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium.”