Share

Get to know your FOUR Bok debutants

Cape Town - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee, with his back against the wall, has turned to FOUR debutants in his match-day 23 for Saturday's clash against Wales in Cardiff. 

It is a new-look Bok side, with under-fire coach Allister Coetzee making wholesale changes from his side that lost to Italy in Florence last weekend. 

It has been a horrible year for Coetzee, who faces the sack on his return to South Africa at the end of this northern hemisphere tour. 

While Saturday may prove to be Coetzee's last Test at the helm of the Springboks, for these four players it is the beginning of what will hopefully be long and successful international careers. 

Here, we take a look at South Africa's new faces:

Rohan Janse van Rensburg 

Position - No 12

Age - 22

Franchise - Lions

Janse van Rensburg is without a doubt the headline act of the new faces in this squad. A large section of the rugby public has been screaming for this call-up throughout the year. On Saturday, Janse van Rensburg will finally get his chance. He was immense for the Lions in Super Rugby and was the form South African No 12 by a mile. He has pace, strength and a seemingly natural ability to make a line break - something the Boks could do with right about now. He replaces Damian de Allende, who has not had a good year. 

Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Gallo)

Jamba Ulengo

Position - No 11

Age - 26

Franchise - Bulls

Ulengo has burst onto the scene in 2016 and was the joint-top try scorer in the Currie Cup this year. He also scored five Super Rugby tries in 10 appearances. Ulengo replaces Bryan Habana in the squad, and he brings an element of physicality to the wing that, again, the Boks probably need. Ulengo was particularly impressive for the Boks in their 31-31 draw against the Barbarians earlier this month. With South Africa's wings not getting much opportunity of late, Ulengo's biggest test may be in dealing with Wales' contestable kicks. 

Jamba Ulengo (Gallo)

Uzair Cassiem 

Position - No 7

Age - 26

Franchise - Cheetahs

Cassiem was one of the shining lights for the Cheetahs in Super Rugby this season, scoring six tries throughout the competition. His ball carrying has been particularly impressive this year and now he has a golden opportunity. Man of the match in this year's Currie Cup final, which the Cheetahs won, Cassiem was then an unused substitute in the Boks' draw against the Barbarians. He returned to South Africa, but was then almost immediately on a plane back to London when Roelof Smit dropped out injured. It has been a whirlwind month for Cassiem, and it will end with a Test debut in Cardiff. 

Uzair Cassiem (Gallo)

Jean-Luc du Preez

Position - Bench

Age - 21

Franchise - Sharks

What a year it's been for Du Preez. He exploded onto the scene in Super Rugby, with his hard running and physicality the biggest characteristics of his game. He has been considered one of the brightest future stars in South African rugby, and he can take the first step towards a long and successful Bok career with a good showing off the bench on Saturday. He provides loose forward cover.

Jean-Luc du Preez (Gallo)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE