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Hooker Johan Grobbelaar, props Wilko Low and Gerhard Steenkamp, and Jan Kline and Franco Mostert – at blindside rather than lock – lock in a huge package.
Scrum-half Morne van den Berg, center Andre Esterhuizen and winger Ethan Hooker get the nod at the back with Erasmus heading towards the strength of a bench that includes legendary lock Eben Itzeth alongside the substitute seven forwards.
South Africa starts as overwhelming favorites adding wins over Japan, Italy, France and Ireland to their depth.
Erasmus said: “We knew from the beginning that we would lose players in this match due to their commitments to the club, and we are happy with the quality of the team we have chosen.”
“We rotate our players throughout the year, and this group has been together for about five weeks, so a lot of these groups are completely settled.”
Scrum-half Cobus Reinach – the only full-back on the bench – is on his way to winning his 50th cap.
Thirteen Wales players have returned to their English and French clubs, after Steve Tandy’s side conceded half-centuries to both Argentina and New Zealand this autumn with his starting XI.
“Both teams were in a similar position in terms of player availability, but they have a balanced squad with a few veteran players and several young players who will be desperate to make a statement,” Erasmus said.
“So we expect them to come out and shoot everything at us,” he added.
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