New kids on the block for World Cup winners South Africa against Wales
Rugby World Cup winners South Africa have included four uncapped players in the matchday 23 for a one-off Test against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
Winger Edwill van der Merwe and fly-half Jordan Hendrikse, both from the Johannesburg-based Lions, will start the Springboks' first outing since winning the World Cup in October.
Utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and flanker Ben-Jason Dixon, teammates at the Stormers in Cape Town, start on the bench.
Here, AFP Sport profiles the four newcomers as South Africa prepare to launch a 13-Test season, which begins and ends with internationals against Wales.
Edwill van der Merwe
Injuries to first choice wingers Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie opened the door for Van der Merwe.
The inclusion of the 28-year-old came after he was ignored for two brief alignment camps ahead of the Twickenham Test.
Possessing speed and a physical presence, Van der Merwe last March became the first South African to score 20 tries in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Born in western Cape rugby cradle Stellenbosch, he made his professional debut for Western Province, graduated to sister side the Stormers, and joined the Lions three years ago.
Jordan Hendrikse
Rugby is entrenched in the Hendrikse family with 22-year-old Jordan following older brother Jaden into the Springbok fold.
Scrum-half Jaden was part of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad, but could not be considered for the Wales Test due to injury.
Jordan, a teenage debutant for the Lions three years ago, is reportedly leaving the Johannesburg outfit to join Jaden at the Sharks in Durban.
While preferring to perform at fly-half, he also lined up as a centre for the Lions, and previously turned out for the Blitzboks, the national sevens team.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Former Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber, who switched to Leinster after the 2023 World Cup triumph, has described 22-year-old Feinberg-Mngomezulu as "a brilliant rugby player".
"He is athletic, fast, agile and skilful. Fortunately for South Africa he opted to play rugby as he was equally good at football," added the coach.
Current South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus favours versatility and Sacha fits the bill perfectly as he can play at full-back, centre and fly-half.
Also eligible to play for England through his father, South African rugby followers were thrilled when he chose the green and gold.
Ben-Jason Dixon
The 26-year-old has been compared with two-time World Cup winner Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will captain South Africa against Wales as regular skipper Siya Kolisi is unavailable.
He earned his 50th cap for the Stormers in the URC this season and has consistently impressed with his never-say-die attitude and workrate.
"Ben-Jason is a hard worker and possesses the qualities to become a world-class loose forward," says Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani.
"Apart from his workrate and great attitude, he has a superb tackling technique. If you want to know how to execute the perfect tackle, watch Ben-Jason."
South Africa 2024 fixtures:
June
22: Wales, London
July
6: Ireland, Pretoria
13: Ireland, Durban
20: Portugal, Bloemfontein
August
10: Australia, Brisbane
17: Australia, Perth
31: New Zealand, Johannesburg
September
7: New Zealand, Cape Town
21: Argentina, Santiago del Estero
28: Argentina, Mbombela
November
10: Scotland, Edinburgh
16: England, London
23: Wales, Cardiff
