Reaction

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said his team’s unexpected defeat by Australia in a Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park was “really awful” and admitted he was embarrassed to appear at the post-match press conference.

Match report

A high-paced, high-powered start from the Springboks that saw them soar into a 22-0 lead in less than 20 minutes came to nought as a superb fightback by Australia carried them to a 38-22 victory (halftime 22-5) in the opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match of the campaign at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Preview

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said on Friday their Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday would be their toughest Test so far this season, but they were confident the team were at the level they needed to be going into the encounter.

News

Springbok prop Boan Venter will provide front-row cover off the bench in Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against Australia after coach Rassie Erasmus was forced to make a late change to his team on Friday, following the withdrawal of Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

News

Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe admitted that facing the Wallabies on Saturday in the opening round of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship was undoubtedly the biggest challenge in his Test career so far, and he was thrilled to play his first Test match at Ellis Park, his former home ground.