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Port Elizabeth - Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has called on his team-mates to capitalise on their opportunities when they face the Wallabies in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
READ: PE a special place for Boks - Stick
South Africa squandered several chances in their 23-18 defeat to Australia in Brisbane earlier this month.
They improved markedly in this regard in a 36-34 win over New Zealand in Wellington the following week, but De Klerk says they will be out to right the wrongs of Brisbane when they take to the field at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
“We saw in Brisbane that we created many chances, but we failed to convert enough of those into points. That’s maybe due to inexperience and perhaps a lapse of focus. It’s something we are working on,” De Klerk told reporters in Port Elizabeth on Monday.
“Our conversion rate must improve because Australia is a quality side, they have dangerous strike runners and will hurt you if you don’t take your opportunities.”
The Springboks kicked off preparations on Monday afternoon when they treated Port Elizabeth supporters to a lively open training session at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Coach Rassie Erasmus will announce his match-day 23 on Thursday.
ALSO READ: Pollard at No 12 for PE Test?
The Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship home leg against the Wallabies and All Blacks (in alphabetical order - name and surname, position, franchise/club, Test caps and points):
Forwards (16):
Schalk Brits (Hooker, Unattached), 11, 5 - 1t
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Lock/ loose forward, Western Province), 40, 20 - 4t
Eben Etzebeth (Lock, Western Province), 71, 15 - 3t
Steven Kitshoff (Prop, Western Province), 31, 5 - 1t
Vincent Koch (Prop, Saracens, England), 9, 0
Siya Kolisi (Captain, Flank, Western Province), 35, 25 - 5t
Wilco Louw (Prop, Western Province), 10, 0
Frans Malherbe (Prop, Western Province), 23, 0
Malcolm Marx (Hooker, Lions), 18, 20 - 4t
Bongi Mbonambi (Hooker, Western Province), 20, 10 - 2t
Franco Mostert (Lock, Golden Lions), 24, 5 - 1t
Tendai Mtawarira (Prop, Sharks), 105, 10 - 2t
Sikhumbuzo Notshe (No 8, Western Province), 4, 0
RG Snyman (Lock, Blue Bulls), 6, 0
Marco van Staden (Flank, Blue Bulls), 1, 0
Warren Whiteley (No 8, Golden Lions), 21, 15 - 3t
Backs (14):
Faf de Klerk (Scrumhalf, Sale Sharks, England), 18, 10 - 2t
Aphiwe Dyantyi (Wing, Golden Lions), 7, 25 - 5t
André Esterhuizen (Centre, Sharks), 4, 0
Elton Jantjies (Flyhalf, Golden Lions), 28, 223 - 2t, 42c, 43p
Willie le Roux (Fullback, Wasps, England), 48, 60 – 12t
Cheslin Kolbe (Utility back, Toulouse, France), 2, 5 - 1t
Jesse Kriel (Centre, Blue Bulls), 34, 45 - 9t
Lionel Mapoe (Centre, Golden Lions), 14, 10 - 2t
Ruhan Nel (Centre, Western Province), uncapped
Sibusiso Nkosi (Wing, Sharks), 3, 10 - 2t
Embrose Papier (Scrumhalf, Blue Bulls), 3, 0
Handré Pollard (Flyhalf, Blue Bulls), 33, 265 - 3t, 50c, 47p, 3d
Ivan van Zyl (Scrumhalf, Blue Bulls), 3, 0
Damian Willemse (Flyhalf, Western Province), 2, 0
