Vermeulen to lead Boks against Australia

Vermeulen leads a team featuring a core of Rugby World Cup winners and some newcomers, including former Ireland international lock Jean Kleyn, who will earn his first Springbok Test cap.

Flyhalf Manie Libbok and loose forward Marco van Staden also make their first starts, having made three and 10 appearances as replacements.

Vermeulen, who captained the Springboks against Argentina and the All Blacks in 2019, takes over the armband from the injured Siya Kolisi, and forms a powerful loose trio against the Wallabies with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Van Staden, while Nienaber selected a front row featuring props Frans Malherbe and Ox Nche, and hooker Bongi Mbonambi. 

Kleyn partners Marvin Orie at lock.

In the backline, Bulls wingers Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse will play in front of their home fans, with experienced fullback Willie le Roux serving as the last line of defence at fullback.

Lukhanyo Am returns for the first time since August to renew a former Sharks provincial partnership with Andre Esterhuizen.

Libbok is partnered at halfback by scrumhalf Cobus Reinach – who makes his first start since the final match of the 2021 season.

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Nienaber opted for a six-two split in favour of the forwards on the bench with the only two backline players; Grant Williams, who will provide cover at scrumhalf and wing, and Damian Willemse, who will cover flyhalf, centre and fullback.

“Our plan from the outset was to select a squad that we believe has what it takes to beat Australia while at the same time selecting a group of players that could travel to New Zealand to give us the best possible chance to do well in both matches,” said Nienaber.

“This squad features several Rugby World Cup winners and a crop of younger players who have done the job for us at the highest level, and judging by their enthusiasm and high work ethic at training, we know they are the right players for this big task.”

Nienaber is pleased to have a leader of Vermeulen’s calibre to steer the team into battle and said: “We had a few options as potential captains, and we have two good leaders in Duane and Lukhanyo, who have been named vice-captain for this match. They are both quality leaders, and they’ll have a lot of experience around them on the field, which is fantastic for us as coaches.”

Commenting on the threat Australia posed, Nienaber said: “They are a top-class team and have a great tactician in head coach Eddie Jones.

“This will be the first time we see them play under his leadership in a while, so our focus is mainly on our game and what we would like to do in the match. This game is very important to set the tone for us this season, and we know that regardless of what style of play Australia dishes up, it’s going to be a physical and hard match.”