In an exciting twist for the Springboks, Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse will make history as the 36th set of brothers to play together for the team in their season finale against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff this Saturday, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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This marks the last match of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, and the Hendrikse brothers will play halfback, with Jaden at scrumhalf and Jordan at flyhalf, creating a fresh combination for the Springboks.
The match also offers an opportunity for loose forward Cameron Hanekom to make his Test debut, becoming the 12th Springbok to do so this season. Hanekom, who has impressed during the tour, will join the bench in a squad featuring several changes to the team that triumphed 29-20 over England in London last Saturday.
The Hendrikse brothers are the first siblings to feature together since Dan and Robert du Preez started against Wales in Washington DC in 2018. The last time a pair of brothers started together was during the 2015 Rugby World Cup when Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis played side by side in the match against Scotland.
In terms of backline changes, the Hendrikse duo is the only new addition. The forwards, however, see more movement with five changes. Johan Grobbelaar will start at hooker, marking his first appearance in a match-23 since facing Australia in Perth. Thomas du Toit returns at tighthead prop, and Ox Nche keeps his position at loosehead. The lock combination is also altered, with Jean Kleyn making his return alongside Franco Mostert, following recovery from injury. The only alteration in the loose trio sees Elrigh Louw come in at flanker to replace Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is sidelined with a shoulder issue. Louw will start alongside captain Siya Kolisi and 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 Springbok coach Rassie 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.’
Erasmus went on to highlight Jordan’s potential in directing play alongside Jaden and expressed excitement about Hanekom’s inclusion.
‘Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are very excited to see how he dictates play with Jaden alongside him. We’re 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, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.’
Hanekom was called up to the squad following the withdrawal of utility back Damian Willemse. Should Hanekom take the field, he will become the 52nd player to feature for the Springboks this season. Erasmus has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench, with the same front row replacements of Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Vincent Koch. In the second row, Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman, who started against England, will be rotated to the bench.
Among the backs, the experienced duo of Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard will provide support from the bench, both boasting double Rugby World Cup-winning experience.
‘We are pleased to have Jean back in the mix,’ Erasmus said. ‘He’s an experienced player who has played in two World Cup tournaments, one for the Springboks and one for Ireland. He’s been in good form for Munster, so it’s good to have him back in the team alongside Franco, who he knows very well. Both of them only recently returned from injury and will play pivotal roles in the lineouts and set pieces, and we have no doubt Eben and RG will make a big impact off the bench with their high work rate and physicality around the park.’
Despite Wales’ struggles this year, having suffered 11 consecutive losses, Erasmus remains cautious ahead of the clash, acknowledging the challenge of facing a team with everything to gain. ‘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 galvanize 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.’
He further acknowledged how quickly fortunes can change in rugby: ‘A lot can change in rugby with a change in confidence and mindset, and Australia is a perfect example of how things can change in the sport if one considers how well they are playing now compared to last year. So, we’ll show Wales the same respect we showed England and Scotland, and we know we have to be at our best to come out with the result we want.’
Erasmus also reminded his team that Wales is a formidable opponent with nothing to lose, pointing out their recent performance in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, emphasising the importance of not underestimating them.
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